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Two strategies you may use to determine the meaning of unfamiliar terms or phrases are:
- Context clues, and
- Word parts – breaking down words to the root word, prefix and suffix.
Context clues
A good way to determine the meaning of unfamiliar terms is to look at the word or phrase in context. The other word(s) or sentence(s) may give you clues to its meaning.
Review each strategy below to learn more about how to use context clues. The video beneath each strategy illustrates how signal cues may be used in the text examples given.
Term |
Text example |
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Definitions Sometimes a writer will state the meaning of a difficult term within the sentence by providing a definition through rewording or examples. |
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During the late 1800s, many Americans came to believe that trusts, or combinations of companies, had too much control over the economy and government. |
Watch the video to see how the strategy of Definitions is used.
> Text version for Context Clues: Definitions video
Term |
Signal cues |
Text example |
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Synonyms |
Signal words include: like |
Similar to earlier populism, the political movement that started with farmers, the progressive movement included middle class city dwellers, writers, teachers and scholars. |
Watch the video to see how the strategy of Synonyms is used.
> Text version for Context Clues: Synonyms video
Term |
Signal cues |
Text example |
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Antonyms |
Signal words include: but |
The progressives called for government regulation of business rather than the laissez-faire approach that had caused so many social and economic problems. |
Watch the video to see how the strategy of Antonyms is used.
> Text version for Context Clues: Antonyms video
Term |
Signal cues |
Text example |
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Logic |
Logic does not have signal cues that provide context clues. |
As the first progressive president, he explained his role as, “It is the duty of the president to act upon the theory he is the steward of the people, and…to assume that he has the legal right to do whatever the needs of the people demand, unless the Constitution or the laws explicitly forbid him to do it.” |
Watch the video to see how the strategy of Logic is used.