MUSTANG MINUTE:Look at the following sentences, particularly the underlined word. Try to guess what the word’s meaning is and write down the word and its definition. Also, write one reason WHY you think that is the definition.

CONTEXT CLUES: A guide for figuring out what a word means!

WHAT ARE CONTEXT CLUES:• Context clues are HINTS that the author leaks onto the page to help

readers understand difficult or unusual words.

• a method by which the meanings of unknown words may be obtained by examining the parts of a sentence surrounding the word 

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES:

•Synonym•Antonym•Explanation/Definition •Tone and Setting

a method by which the meanings of unknown wordsmay be obtained by examining the parts of asentence surrounding the word fordefinition/explanation clues, restatement/synonymclues, contrast/antonym clues, andinference/general context clues

SYNONYM:

•A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence.• The vociferous Hermione could talk for hours about

Hogwarts, A History.Definition: expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way: expressed in a very loud or forceful way

ANTONYM:

•A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning can reveal the meaning of the term.• Malfoy showed his canniness throughout the story while

Crabbe and Goyle could only grunt stupidly. Definition: very clever and able to make intelligent decisions

EXPLANATION OR DEFINITION:

•The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in a sentence immediately before or after.• Growing the bones in his arm had enervated Harry so

much that he had to sleep for days in the Hospital Ward. Definition: to make (someone or something) very weak or tired

EXAMPLE:

•Specific examples are used to define the unknown word.• Hagrid loves the noxious creatures of the magical

world, such as dragons, blast-ended skrewts, and acromantulas.

Definition: harmful to living things

TONE AND SETTING:

•Look at what is happening in the big picture to find out what the unknown word means.• Ex: "What will happen your children when I've killed you?"

taunted Bellatrix, as mad as her master, capering as Molly's curses danced around her.Definition: to jump around in a lively way

HOW TO FIGURE OUT A WORD’S MEANING

LookPredictReplaceRepeat

LookLook at the word(s) and sentence(s) before

and after the unfamiliar word.

PredictQuickly guess what the word may mean or

what you think it may mean.

ReplaceReplace the unknown word with what you

think it means? Does it make sense?

RepeatIf the word you chose to replace it with didn’t make sense, repeat the process! Find another

word to try out instead. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

PRACTICE: LPR1. There were so many times when I felt shame, and all the hope drained from my soul as I watched the adults in my family kowtow to white people (15). 2. Walking the gauntlet to my next class was even more harrowing (112). 3. He complimented me saying I was articulate, and asked if I could write (121). 4. I’m an average teenager, just like yourself, with the same aspirations and heartaches (122).5. He ended his long statement by demanding that all persons engaged in obstruction of justice “cease and desist” (124).6. I sat perfectly still, my attention riveted on the television screen, where the most wonderful pictures moved before my eyes (126).