READING

I have moved all the comments here to another page, Books, Books Books. Please go there to share about the books you have read.


 * CONTEXT CLUES**

Some sites to help you revise and practise context clues.
 * [|What are context clues?]

=CONTEXT CLUES=

The graphic I used in class that explains '__some__' of the __possible__ 'context clues' we can use while reading.

The two main categories of context clues are:

1) semantic: clues that provide information about a word’s meaning, and 2) syntactic: clues that provide information about a word’s grammatical purpose—its role in a sentence; that is, whether it is a noun, verb, adjective or adverb (its part of speech).

The boy’s __obstreperous__ behavior caused him to be thrown out of school.

There are three context clues in this sentence, one syntactic clue and two semantic clues; because obstreperous comes before the noun behavior, we know 1) that it is an adjective (syntactic clue), and 2) that it is an adjective that can be used to describe behavior (semantic clue). From the end of the sentence, we also know that it describes a kind of behavior that gets one “thrown out of school” (semantic clue), thereby leting us infer that the behaviour is negative or bad..

Syntactic or Syntax Clues.

All parts of speech, be they nouns, verbs, conjunctions etc. have functions and play roles in constructing meaning. A word can only be seen to be a part of speech and playing that particular role by its place in a sentence.

E.g.

I am going for a __**run**__ in the park. (Noun - its place in the sentence says it is playing the role of a noun)

I am having problems. I cannot __**run**__ the computer programme. (verb - its place in the sentence says it is a verb because I am __**doing**__ **something**!)

I have a __**runny**__ nose. I don't feel well. (adjective - the word runny describes nose, a noun. That is a function of an adjective)

The __boy likes to disturb his classmates.They are very angry with him. (The syntax of the sentence tells us that the blank needs to have an **adjective**because it is describing the noun boy. The context of the sentence gives us a clue that the adjective will be something negative because he is disturbing others)

The naughty boy likes to__ __his classmates. They are very angry with him. (The syntax of the sentence in this case informs us that the blank needs to be filled in with a **verb** because the boy is 'doing something' to his classmates. Another 'clue' is the word 'to' which is used as an infinitive and not a preposition (I will go through this later)

The naughty boy likes to disturb his classmates. They are__ _ angry with him. (The syntax for this last example tells us that the blank needs to be filled in with an **adverb** because it is giving us more information about how angry his classmates are. It is telling us more about an adjective, which is the function of an**adverb**.

Types of semantic clues Below are descriptions of five kinds of semantic clues (a few are covered in the graphic) that can help you to figure out the meaning of an unknown word.

1. **Definition or direct explanation** = when the word is defined right there in the sentence

To be a phlebotomist—someone who draws blood for medical purposes—you have to have a strong stomach and a good bedside manner.

The study of rhetoric (argumentation) is vital to be being a good critical writer.

A philatelist is someone who collects stamps.

2. **Contrast** = when an unknown word is placed in opposition to a known word or words by signals such as but, however, yet or in contrast

John loves to be around other people, but his brother Mark is a misanthrope.

She noticed Janice's volubility more in contrast with Frank's silence.

3. **Past experience** = when you can use your own schema (or background knowledge) to guess at the meaning of a word

Scrooge was such a skinflint that he wouldn't give his employees a Christmas bonus.

4. **Summary** = provides some of the main points or attributes associated with a word

His short, angry greeting and unwillingness to shake hands signaled his irritability.

5. **Examples** = when the unknown word indicates a general category, and the sentences includes words that would fit under that category (usually works with nouns)

Childhood maladies such as chicken pox, mumps, and measles are easily treatable with sufficient funds.

6. **Restatement/Synonym Clues** = a challenging word or phrase is clarified in simpler language.

"Lou felt as though she had been sent to the doghouse when Louisa admonished her for fighting at school." Because the phrase "being sent to the doghouse" means being punished, admonish could mean to disapprove or to scold.

7. **Contrast/Antonym Clues** = when a word or phrase is clarified by the presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close to its use. Look for signal words when applying context clues. "Lou thought that her mother's recovery was futile, but Oz remained faithful to the course of his mother's restored health." The signal word but tells the reader that an opposite, contrasting thought is occurring. Consequently, futile must mean the opposite of remaining faithful to the course; therefore, it must mean giving up.

media type="youtube" key="qgaSmJKR9HM" height="344" width="425"