Dealing with New Words: Using Context Clues

There are 4 strategies to find the meaning of an unknown word by using context clue : 

a. By using definition or description clue, the meaning or the definition written in the same sentence or in the next sentence.

b. By using synonym clue, the word that has the equivalent meaning with the unknown or new word. 

c. By using antonym clue, the word that has the contrary or opposite meaning with the unknown or new word.

d. By using example clue, the examples mentioned to explain, describe, or related with the unknown or new word. 

We can use those strategies to understand the meaning of the sentences and the unknown or new words. 

Differences between Definition/Description Clues and Example Clues

Definition/description clues explain the meaning or describe about the unknown or new word, while example clues is mention examples to explain, describe or related with the unknown or new word.

Examples of Definition/Description Clues :

a. Silla is very good looking. She has a pointed nose, a sweet smile, and a pair of beautiful eyes. 

b. A person with narcissistic has very high confidence and want all eyes on him/her. 

Examples of Example Clues :

a. We can use three primary colour models to mix a wide range of hues, such as RGB (red, green, blue) CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) and RYB (red, yellow, blue).

b. Rony loves traditional snacks such as odading, dodol, and ketoprak.

Differences between Synonym Clues and Antonym Clues

Synonym clues use the word that has the equivalent meaning with the unknown or new word. While antonym clue use the word that has the contrary or opposite meaning with the unknown or new word.

Example of Synonym Clues :

a. Teddy live in a mansion, a great house with luxury.

b. Lions are huge cats or the bigger version of cats.

Example of Antonym Clues :

a. Although Rini is tough, she has a gentle heart. 

b. Mr. Brown loves to slog, but today he has to rest to restore his stamina.

References : 

-Hapsarani, Dhita. (2022). Basic Reading. Tangerang: Universitas Terbuka.

-Britannica. (2023). Accessed on October 15th, 2023 from https://www.britannica.com/science/primary-color

-Mayo Clinic. (2023). Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Accessed on October 15th, 2023 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662