Context Clue Notes & Practice

Part II: Reading Skills - Context Clues

*Determine the meaning of words based on context clues given. We will do a practice activity that will be set up exactly like you will see it on the test.

The student argued that while the many parts of his essay might seem disconnected, they could also be seen as linked by common style and syntax.

*NO CHANGE fastened combined attached

The meeting brought together the largest heap of journalists to be found anywhere on the planet.

*concentration bunch supply NO CHANGE

Which choice would be most appropriate in the context of this sentence? For example, in one song, the image of a train whistle is described as a lonesome, haunting lament.

*sound NO CHANGE symbol sense

There is a distressing feud fighting around my dorm, a place that was once a calm, quiet place to live.

*taking over NO CHANGE undertaking challenging near

Synonym

a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language

Antonym

a word that means the opposite of another word

Inference as a tool

allows us to look at the words surrounding our focus word. Once we look at the evidence then we can draw our own inference based on the evidence.

9. Clarity

9.1 Comma between two or more equal adjectives before a noun EX: Adam, Robert, Bill, and many other people hold paintball wars. 9.2 Comma to prevent the misreading of information EX: Before music, class was boring. 9.3 Comma after every third digit from the right in numbers more than three digits EX: The national debt as of December 2018 is $21,970,000,000,000.

Inference

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Definition

A statement that gives or reveals the meaning of a term.

Antonym as a tool

Are the words around the focus word that you know? If so, do they contradict the focus word or are they possibly a synonym? The synonyms around a focus word often help us understand the meaning of our focus word.

Definition as a tool

Be on the lookout for the definition of your "focus word." You can often find the meaning of your word set off by commas or emphasized later in the sentence.

Part III: Literary Interpretation Skills - Characterization, Symbolism, and Theme

Characterization Symbolism Theme

Part I: Grammar: Comma Rules #5-9

Comma Rules #5-9 5. Dates and addresses 6. Greeting and Closing of a letter 7. Book References 8. Direct Quotes 9. Clarity

7. Book References

EX: Ad hominem arguments are discussed in Improving Your Reasoning, pages 34-36. Comma after each part IF more than one part

8. Direct Quotes

EX: Adam said, "Don't do that." Comma BEFORE the quote marks to set off a DIRECT quote

6. Greeting and Closing of a Letter

EX: Dear Melinda Forever yours, Comma after the greeting in a friendly letter and closing of all letters

5. Dates and addresses

EX: I was born on July 3, 1958, in Harrison, AR 72601. Comma after each part IF more than one part Do NOT use a comma between the month and date Do NOT use a comma between the month and year if appearing alone Do NOT use a comma between the state and zip

What is the guiding question?

How can we use context clues to identify the meaning of a word?

S.T.E.A.L.

Speech Thoughts Effect on others toward the character. Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Indirect characterization

Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization represented by the acronym STEAL.

4 contextual tools

Inference Synonym Antonym Definition

Synonym as a tool

Look at the words surrounding the focus word and ask "Do the words give a description that relates to the focus word?"

S.T.E.A.L.

Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts What is revealed through the character's private thoughts and feelings? Effect on others toward the character. What is revealed through the character's effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

What is the objective?

Students will be able to identify the meaning of words in relation to their context.

Actions

What does the character do? How does the character behave?

Looks

What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Speech

What does the character say? How does the character speak?

Effect on others toward the character

What is revealed through the character's effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

Thoughts

What is revealed through the character's private thoughts and feelings?

Two types of characterization

direct and indirect characterization