Context Clues: Contrast

Context Clues

• Words or phrases that help to explain unfamiliar words in a text

• Useful when reading about unfamiliar subjects like:– History– Social Studies– Science– Technology

Contrast Context Clues

• Words or phrases that mean the opposite of an unfamiliar word

• The reader will realize that the unfamiliar word means the opposite of the context clue

Looking for Contrast Context Clues

• Find signal words like:– but– however– although– on the other hand

Examples

• The sagacity of the older women is welcoming, but the foolishness of the younger women made me turn aside.

• Patrick slumbered until ten, although his sister awakened early to begin her chores.

• We quickly made our way through the crowd; however, the other team wandered sluggishly behind us.