Sometimes you won't understand every word in a reading passage. One thing you can do to figure out new words is to use CONTEXT CLUES.
The CONTEXT is the words, sentences, and ideas that come before and after a word or phrase.
When you read a passage, circle any new words that you don't understand. Then, look in the context to find clues--words or phrases that hint at what the new word means.
Remember, you don't have to understand every word in a reading! Circle only the new words that are key to understanding the passage.
Source: Rebecca Oberg, McDougal Littell Reading Toolkit
This song offers quick and memorable information about context clues, using specific words as examples.
There are five easy steps to becoming an expert at using context clues:
1. Circle the word or phrase you don't understand
2. Underline key phrases and ideas in the sentence. Look for words that give synonyms, antonyms, examples, etc.
3. Give the main idea of the paragraph the new word is in.
4. Say the sentence in your own words.
5. Guess at what the new word means. Use what you underlined to prove your guess is right.
Source: Rebecca Oberg, McDougal Littell Reading Toolkit
