Chapter 5b

Contextual Analysis Ch5. (cont.) 1. Syntactic clues 2. Semantic clues

The man was attacked by a marbohem. • What’s a marbohem? • Using the structure of the sentence, we know it is a noun. – – – – –

Noun markers verb markers clause markers: if, now, before phrase sometimes describe or refine a word. P. 193

Semantic Clues • 1. Word meanings are given: – definitions or explanations. (is,are, means) 2. Synonyms and antonyms are repeated in the sentence. 3. Figurative language. Metaphor and similes which follow or precede give clues. It is raining cats and dogs. Several cars stalled in the flooded stream. 4. Summary statements. Connected story information gives clues. P.194

Dictionary Instruction • Goals: 1. Find the word • 2. Determine its pronunciation • 3. Select the correct meaning in the context in which it is used. • What you need to know: ABC order to 3rd letter. Recognize root words, y at the end of the word changes to ies for plural. Letters have different sounds in different combinations.

How the dictionary helps. • • • •

1. 2. 3. 4.

Unlocks pronunciation of words. Gives new meanings Checks for correct spelling Expand the vocabulary

Developmental stages connected with dictionary use. • 1. Must recognize letters. • 2. Know ABC order to 3rd letter. • 3. Know to look in first, middle, or last for v, m, k. • 4. Use accent marks to pronounce words. • 5. Words that are spelled alike have different meanings. • 6. Determine the most preferred pronunciation.

Dictionary skills (cont.) • 7. Select the meaning that fits context. • 8. Use guide words to find page for the word. • 9. Use special terms: geographical terms, foreign words or phrases.