Steps to figuring out an unfamiliar word …
1. Look for CONTEXT CLUES and
SIGNAL WORDS.
• DEFINITION
The meaning of the unfamiliar word is given right in the sentence.
Signal words: is, are, or, means, refers to
• SYNONYM
A similar word is given for the unfamiliar word.
Signal words: also, as like, same, too
• ANTONYM
A word meaning the opposite of the unfamiliar word is given.
Signal words: but, unlike, though, however, instead of
• EXAMPLE
Samples, instances, or ideas of the unfamiliar word are given.
Signal words: for example, like, such as, including
• GENERAL
General clues are given about the unfamiliar word.
No signal words
2. Use WORD PARTS.
• BASE WORD/ROOT
• PREFIX
• SUFFIX
3. Attempt to determine the meaning of the word and use it in
the sentence.
4. If necessary, use the DICTIONARY or OTHER RESOURCES.
* Use
context
clues
for:
Directive
Context:
Gives
clues,
hints,
and
synonyms
to
determine
an
approximate
word
meaning
• List
context
clues
found
in
text
• Ask
students
to
use
the
word
in
an
oral
sentence
• Write
the
word
in
a
sentence
Context
clues
don't
work
for:
Non‐directive
Context:
Gives
no
clues
to
determine
word
meaning
Mis‐directive
Context:
Gives
clues
that
lead
readers
to
false
meaning
construction
From
Dr.
Ray
Reutzel’s
powerpoint
on
Vocabulary
Instruction
Using
Word
Parts
The
important
thing
is
to
have
students
understand
how
to
use
affixes
and
roots/base
words
to
determine
the
meaning
of
a
new
word.
Example:
The
students
thought
the
book
was
incomprehensible.
•
in
=
not
•
comprehens
=
to
understand
•
ible
=
able
to
do
something;
also
changes
this
word
from
verb
to
adjective
***incomprehensible
=
not
able
to
understand
Use
word
webs
with
roots
so
children
learn
many
new
words
from
a
few
target
words.
spectator
spectacle
inspection
spect
from
Dr.
Ray
Reutzel’s
powerpoint
on
Vocabulary
Instruction
Common
Prefixes
and
Suffixes
with
Their
Meanings
Prefix
Meaning
un‐
re‐
in‐,
im‐,
‐il,
‐ir
dis‐
en‐,
em‐
non‐
over‐
mis‐
sub‐
pre‐
inter‐
fore‐
de‐
trans‐
super‐
semi‐
anti‐
mid‐
under‐
not;
reversal
of
action
or
state
again
not,
without;
in,
into,
towards,
inside
negation,
removal,
expulsion
put
into
or
on;
bring
into
the
condition
of;
intensify
absence,
negation
excessively,
completely;
upper,
outer,
over,
above
bad,
erroneous,
lack
of
at
a
lower
position;
lower
in
rank;
nearly,
approximately
before
in
time,
place,
order
of
importance
between,
among
before,
front,
preceding,
superior
down,
away;
completely;
removal,
reversal
across,
beyond;
into
a
different
state
over,
above,
to
a
very
high
degree
half,
partly
opposing,
against,
the
opposite
middle
too
little;
beneath,
below;
lower
in
rank
Frequency
of
Usage
26%
14%
11%
7%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Suffix
Meaning
‐er,
‐or
‐ion,
‐tion,
‐ation,
‐ition
‐able,
‐ible
‐al,
‐ial
‐y
‐ness
‐ity,
‐ty
‐ment
‐ic
‐ous,
‐ious,
‐eous
‐en
‐ive,
‐tive,
‐ative
‐ful
‐less
person
who
(noun
suffix)
act
of,
result
of
able
to
be
pertaining
to
full
of,
characterized
by
denoting
quality
or
state
expressing
quality
or
state
denoting
action
or
resulting
state;
a
product
or
means
having
some
characteristics
of,
in
the
style
of
possessing,
full
of
made
of,
make
like
full
of
lacking
Frequency
of
Usage
4%
4%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Compiled
by
A.
Siegel,
2011