Types of Context Clues
Context clues are hints that help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
To find context clues, look at the words, sentences, and paragraphs that surround the
unfamiliar word.
Example—Sometimes writers will suggest the meanings of words by providing examples of
their use (often preceded by the phrases for example, the following, and such as) that may help
determine the meanings of unfamiliar words.
Restatement or Definition—In informational materials, writers will often define new terms or
include synonyms in the surrounding text (often appositive phrases set off by commas) or
familiar words that appear to be similar in meaning to the unfamiliar words.
Contrast—To show the relationship between words, writers may contrast an unfamiliar word
with a familiar word (Look for contrast signal words, such as not or but.)
Cause and Effect—Students may also be able to figure out the meaning of a word by looking at
a causal relationship and determining whether the unfamiliar word is a cause of some action or
event or the effect of another action or event. The phrases as a result and due to and the words
because, since, and for often accompany statements of cause and effect.