Use this technique in understanding the passage. Moreover, use this technique if you wish to widen your vocabulary. When you find meaning in context as you read texts, you learn new vocabulary without disrupting your reading process. The context is important because many words have more than one meaning. Context clues can be explicit definitions and synonyms. Some writers make sure that either readers can understand difficult terms or terms used differently.
- Definition- a word’s or phrase’s meaning is explained immediately after its use.
Example: Fasting, used to be a religious act of purification. However, currently, many dieters do not eat in order to lose weight.
- Exemplification
Example: Fruitarianism is a diet that includes fruits and berries. Juice, nuts, seeds, and legumes are also acceptable.
- Experience clue based on our experience we can interpret the meaning of some terms.
Example: Our experience tells us that pig pens are really dirty. This term is used for houses that are disorderly.
- Comparison and Contrast- a word or phrase is clarified by the presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close to its use. Look for signal words when applying context clues
Example: We must recognize the true from the false, the enduring from the ephemeral, and the important from the trivial.
- Synonym- a hard word or phrase is said in a simple way.
Example: During the zenith or highest point of career, she did her best to help the poor and the needy.