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Reading Strategies

7. Engaging in Reading: Using Context to Find Meaning

Writers use a variety of ways to convey the meaning of unfamiliar words and concepts. These include
definitions, examples, descriptions, illustrations, clarifications, parenthetical notes, comparisons,
elaborations, and typographical cues.

Context refers to the surrounding environment. It may refer to the situation the author was in while writing (time, place, etc.) or to situation the content you are reading is in (the surrounding words or passages).

Here are some clues you can use to determine meaning of context words:

Clue Description Signals
Definition The unfamiliar word is specifically defined in
the sentence, or in the preceding or following
sentences.
  • “is” or “which means”
  • commas that set off a qualifying phrase
Example The unfamiliar word is illustrated by one or
more examples.
  • “for example,” “including,” or “such as”
  • pictures or diagrams
Description Characteristics or features of the unfamiliar
word are described.
  • descriptive words
  • sensory words
  • adjectives and adverbs
Illustration The unfamiliar word is shown in a diagram,
picture or map.
  • “see figure 2.1”
  • graphic features on the page
Clarification The meaning of the unfamiliar word is restated
in slightly different language, summarized, or
paraphrased.
  • “in other words,” “simply,” “clearly”
Parenthetical Note
 The meaning of the unfamiliar word is pro-
vided in parentheses directly following the
word.
  • (......)
Comparison The meaning of the unfamiliar word is pro-
vided by contrasting or comparing it to another
word, phrase or concept.
  • “such as,” “like,” “compared to,” “unlike” or “similar to”
  • synonyms, antonyms
  • charts
Elaboration Additional information about the unfamiliar
word is provided in the following sentences
and paragraphs. This may be a description of
a related event, process or product, or a
question prompt.
  • “in addition,” “another,” or “consequently”
Typography and
Design		 Design features draw attention to important
words and concepts, and to their definitions.
  • bold, italics, and other embellishments