what is contextual clues?

Answer 1

Since this is under the "Homework Help" section of Yahoo! Answers, I presume that this relates to school work.

When a teacher suggests that you look at the "contextual clues," they are making a suggestion on how to figure out the meaning of new words.

Looking at the "contextual clues" means to read the sentences and the paragraph or paragraphs surrounding the word or words that you don't understand. What are the main ideas that the writer is trying to tell you? How would you explain what you are reading to a classmate who was asking you for your help?

What would seem logical? What meaning would make sense in light of the main ideas and the rest of the words that you do already know and understand?

I will give you an example with a very difficult word that you probably have never heard.

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Jesse was standing by the open window in his kitchen, waiting for his friend, Miguel, to stop by. The screen for the window was missing since his Uncle had taken it to be repaired. The heat in the apartment from the warm summer afternoon seemed cooler with the window open.

The friends were trying out for football when school started in September and they were going to the park to practice passing and catching the ball. He was tossing the ball up in the air and catching it in the kitchen when he heard Miguel yell his name from the sidewalk below the window.

"Hey! Are you ready? Toss me the ball! Let's get going."

Jesse knew he probably should wait until he was outside but decided there was nothing wrong with DEFENESTRATION of the football as long as the window was open and Miguel could catch the ball without it hitting anything else. He tossed it and Miguel caught it without a problem. He closed the door behind him and ran down the steps to join his friend.

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Okay. That looks like a pretty complicated word which actually goes back to the middle ages, and that few people would ever use.

What do you think it means? Look at the rest of the paragraph for the "contextual clues" or the "context" -- the meaning of the rest of the sentence and paragraph.

Webster's Dictionary's definition of "defenestration" is basically, "The act of throwing out a window." But, you could figure out the definition of that word -- just from the "contextual clues" and figure out that Jesse did just that! He threw the football out the window to his friend, Miguel.

Congratulations! You figured out the meaning of a very difficult word by the "contextual clues."

Answer 2

CONTEXT CLUES
Context Clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may be in a preceding or subsequent sentence. Because most of your vocabulary is gained through reading, it is important that you be able to recognize and take advantage of context clues.

Types of context clues. There are at least four kinds of context clues that are quite common.

Synonym

A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence.

My opponent's argument is fallacious, misleading – plain wrong.

Antonym
A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning reveals the meaning of an unknown term.

Although some men are loquacious, others hardly talk at all.

Explanation
The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in a sentence immediately preceding.

The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for more than a short time.

Example
Specific examples are used to define the term.

Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws.

Answer 3

Communication in any medium depends on these subtle contextual clues to help convey meaning as clearly and simply as possible. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words, and a well-chosen design element can be worth many more. But it's the designer's responsibility to provide them, and not leave readers dangling.


www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~kimble/research/PAPER200.pdf

Answer 4

clues buried in the context of something

Answer 5

peaceful ones