Helping students learn to identify and grasp the meaning of the 5 types of context clues is extremely important. When students gain the ability to use context clues effectively, their reading comprehension improves. They start to become independent readers. This is why explicitly teaching context clues is so important.
I teach my students the types of context clues using the acronym I.D.E.A.S. This includes Inference, Definition, Example, Antonyms, and Synonyms.
1. Inference
When a reader comes to a word they do not know, they can make an inference (educated guess). This means, the reader uses prior knowledge and experience and weaves it in with clues the author is providing.
While this is the first context clue in the acronym, I inform students that it is actually the last one we should depend on since authors will usually try to provide some other support for us in the text (especially in nonfiction text).
Example:
- My dad drinks a cup of joe every morning to help him wake up. He adds a little cream and half a teaspoon of sugar.
In order to infer that a cup of joe is coffee, a reader would need to know at least one of a few things.
- Many adults like to drink coffee in the morning.
- People drink coffee to help them wake up or become more alert.
- Coffee drinkers sometimes add cream and sugar to their coffee.
2. Definition
This context clue is pretty straightforward. The author either knows that many readers will not know the meaning or the author wants to make sure the reader knows the meaning of the word because it is important to the text. Authors mostly use this technique in nonfiction texts.
The definition of the word can be shown in different ways.
One way is having the definition come right after the word with the use of commas or dashes.
Example:
- The paleontologist, a scientist who studies the remains of living organisms, spent a month at the site.
- The paleontologist – a scientist who studies the remains of living organisms – spent a month at the site.
Another way the author can provide the definition is by using an entire sentence that is dedicated to telling the meaning of the word.
Example:
- Fossils are the preserved remains of plants and animals.
In the examples above, you can see that the author provides the definition for the reader.
3. Example
This context clue takes a little bit of detective work. (At least, that is what I tell my readers.) The author provides an example (or examples) to help the reader determine the meaning of the word.
Example:
- The sun, stars, and the moon are celestial bodies.
In the example above, the author provides examples known to the reader to help them understand the term.
4. Antonym
Authors sometimes provide the reader with words that have the opposite meaning of the unknown word.
While not always the case, many times the author will use phrases that will clue the reader that an antonym is coming such as: however, unlike, in contrast, while...
Example:
- The industrious server made a lot of money off of tips from his customers while the lazy servers went home with just a few dollars.
You can see in the example above that the author uses the word lazy as a contrast to the word industrious. This helps the reader understand the meaning of the word industrious.
5. Synonym
This context clue provides the reader with words that have the same meaning of the unknown word.
The synonym of the word can be shown in a couple of ways.
Sometimes the word can be found as a restated sentence that emphasizes what was previously said.
Example:
- The new girl was aloof. She seemed uninterested and unsociable.
In the sentence above, the words uninterested and unsociable are synonyms to the word aloof. Since it is likely that the reader will know the words uninterested and unsociable, the author uses them to define the word aloof.
Other times, the author may include the synonym near the word. In many cases, the word “or” is used.
Example:
- The new girl was aloof, or unsociable.
This form of incorporating a synonym keeps the writing concise.
FREE CONTEXT CLUES ANCHOR CHART
Click on the image below to download the FREE Context Clues anchor chart.
In order for students to master identifying the 5 Types of Context Clues, they will need plenty of exposure and practice. If you need ideas for context clues activities you can implement in the classroom when teaching context clues, click on the image below to gather some inspiration.
