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Learn what context clues are and how to use them to decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words you come across while reading.
| 0:00 | Owl: Welcome to How to Use Context Clues to Define Words, an instructional video on reading comprehension brought to you by the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab. |
| 0:19 | Unfamiliar words can pose a serious problem for reading comprehension. |
| 0:24 | Therefore, in order to improve your ability to understand what you read, you will need to expand your vocabulary. |
| 0:30 | There are a couple of things you can do when you encounter a word you don’t understand. |
| 0:34 | You can look it up! |
| 0:36 | Sometimes a text will provide definitions for key words, either in the text or in a sidebar or glossary. |
| 0:43 | Otherwise, you can look up unfamiliar words in a paper or electronic dictionary. |
| 0:49 | Another thing you can do is look for clues in the word or text that can help you decipher its meaning. |
| 0:55 | There are two types of clues you can look for: context clues and word-part clues. |
| 1:01 | In this video, I’ll explain how to look for and use context clues to decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words. |
| 1:07 | This will help you grow your vocabulary and improve your reading comprehension. |
| 1:11 | I’ll discuss word-part clues in another video. |
| 1:16 | What is a context clue? |
| 1:18 | A context clue is a word or phrase in the same sentence or a nearby sentence that can help the reader decipher the meaning of an unfamiliar word. |
| 1:27 | There are different kinds of context clues. |
| 1:29 | I’ll discuss each type and give some tips for how to identify them. |
| 1:33 | I’ll also share an example in which the unfamiliar word is in bold and the clue is in italics. |
| 1:40 | Let’s get started! |
| 1:42 | The first type is called a Definition Clue. |
| 1:45 | A definition clue is a word or phrase that defines the unfamiliar word. |
| 1:50 | Look for words or phrases that introduce a definition for the unfamiliar word, such as is defined as, means, and refers to. |
| 2:00 | Also, look for punctuation marks that set off a definition, such as quotation marks, parentheses, and brackets. |
| 2:08 | Here’s an example: |
| 2:09 | Telepathy is defined as the ability to communicate information to another person without the use of any known senses or communication devices. |
| 2:18 | In this sentence the phrase “is defined as” is a definition clue that introduces a definition for the word “telepathy.” |
| 2:26 | The second type is called a Synonym Clue. |
| 2:29 | A synonym clue is a word or phrase that has a similar meaning to the unfamiliar word. |
| 2:34 | Look for words or phrases that introduce a synonym, such as in other words, or, that is to say, and also known as. |
| 2:44 | Also, look for punctuation marks that set off a synonym, such as commas, parentheses, dashes, and brackets. |
| 2:52 | Here’s an example: |
| 2:54 | The cheerleader appeared vapid—spiritless—as he delivered his pitiful performance in front of the stands. |
| 3:01 | In this sentence the dashes around the word “spiritless” suggest that it is a synonym for the word “vapid.” |
| 3:08 | The third type is called a Contrast Clue. |
| 3:12 | A contrast clue is a word or phrase that has the opposite meaning of the unfamiliar word. |
| 3:17 | In other words, it’s an antonym. |
| 3:20 | Look for words or phrases that introduce a contrast, such as however, but, instead of, on the other hand, on the contrary, whereas, in contrast, unlike, although, and even though. |
| 3:37 | Here’s an example: |
| 3:39 | Lions are solitary creatures that prefer to hunt alone, but hyenas are gregarious creatures that hunt in packs. |
| 3:46 | In this sentence the word “but” is a contrast clue that suggests hyenas are different from lions. |
| 3:52 | If lions are solitary and hyenas are gregarious, then you can guess that the meaning of the word “gregarious” is the opposite of solitary. |
| 4:00 | A working definition might be “tending to group together.” |
| 4:04 | The fourth type is called an Example Clue. |
| 4:07 | An example clue is a word or phrase that provides an example to illustrate the unfamiliar word. |
| 4:13 | Look for words or phrases that introduce examples, such as for example, for instance, to illustrate, like, and such as. |
| 4:24 | Here’s an example: |
| 4:26 | The manager disliked obsequious behavior, such as fawning and kowtowing. |
| 4:31 | In this sentence the phrase “such as” is an example clue that suggests the words “fawning” and “kowtowing” describe “obsequious.” |
| 4:40 | The fifth type is called an Experience Clue. |
| 4:43 | An experience clue draws upon personal experience or background knowledge to help you infer the meaning of the unfamiliar word. |
| 4:51 | Look for a word, phrase, or sentence that includes a familiar experience or information you already know. |
| 4:58 | Here’s an example: |
| 4:59 | Television audiences are familiar with disingenuous ads that make grand promises. |
| 5:05 | In this sentence, you can interpret the word “disingenuous” by drawing upon your experience as a television viewer. |
| 5:11 | If disingenuous ads make grand promises, then “disingenuous” must mean something like “insincere” or “false.” |
| 5:19 | Finally, the sixth type is called an Adjacent Clue. |
| 5:23 | An adjacent clue is a word or phrase in a nearby sentence that explains the meaning of the unfamiliar word. |
| 5:29 | Here’s an example: |
| 5:30 | Nanotechnology is becoming more widespread in society. As computer chips continue to shrink, manufacturers are placing them in everything from clothing, to building materials, to even the human body. |
| 5:42 | In this sentence you can guess that the phrase “computer chips continue to shrink” in the second sentence refers to the word “nanotechnology” in the first sentence. |
| 5:51 | Therefore, “nanotechnology” has to do with technology that is very small in size. |
| 5:58 | With one or more of these clues, you should be able to deduce the meaning of many unfamiliar words as you read. |
| 6:04 | And be sure to check your definition with a dictionary afterward to make sure your deduction is correct. |
| 6:12 | Thanks for listening to this instructional video on How to Use Context Clues to Define Words! |
| 6:18 | Visit the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab for more support with reading and writing skills. |
