Download Understanding Context Clues: A Key to Word Perception and more Study Guides, Projects, Research English in PDF only on Docsity! Context Clues as an Aid to the Reader Robert Emans Context clues have been referred to as the most important single aid to word perception. The author proposes a simplified schema to organize context clues according to three categories for perception of printed words- meaning clues, language clues, and organization clues-and within each of the categories, describes a number of types of context clues and gives examples. Reading authorities frequently recognize that context clues are an important aid to the reader in the perception of words ( Cordts, 1965 ; Gray, 1960 ) . Combined with other word perception clues they represent an indispensable tool for readers at all levels of reading ability. Young children often use context to help identify words they have previously known, but for the moment have forgotten. Similarly, young children use context as a check on words they have tentatively identified through the use of structural and phonic analysis. Mature readers use context clues for the above purpose and also to anticipate words for the rapid recognition of words in sequence, since it is a faster technique than sounding out a word and more reliable than merely recognizing a word by sight. All readers must use the context for the correct identification of such words as read, lead, wind, and bank. Although the study of context clues is not specifically concerned with letterform research, readers of The .Journal of Typographic R esearch should be made aware, a t least, of one of our connecting links with the extensive reading research resources in the world. Vve are all concerned, basically, with perception and comprehension of our visible language. To usc context clues the reader must bring to the printed page prior experiences, oral language, and a knowledge that reading demands the achievement of meaning. Using his background, the reader limits his possible choice of words to rela tively few which fit the meaning 369 of the passages. Thus, he does not need to be concerned with all the other thousands of words in the language. By combining context clues with other clues, the reader can very often correctly perceive an otherwise unrecognized word. Artley ( 1943), M cCullough ( 1943), and Ames ( 1966) did comprehensive studies on categorizations of context clues. They and others found their categorizations to be complex and technical. These classifications did not lend themselves well to interpretation and instruction of students. This author proposes a simplified, yet comprehensive, schema to organize context clues according to three categories for perception of printed words. One category of clues uses the sense gleaned from the surrounding words and is referred to in this article as meaning clues. A second category involves the use of syntax, and is called language clues. H ow sentences and paragraphs are organized, or organization clues, represents a third set of clues. Such categories a re not all inclusive and a reader may use a combination of these. However, a knowledge of such a schema for classifying clues and the types of clues comprising each category can be an aid to writers preparing manuscripts as well as readers. This a rticle will go into a further discussion of this classification schema. Each type of clue will be explained briefly and examples given. In each example the italicized •.vord may be recognized using the type of clue presented. j\t[ eaning Clues 1. Definitions: An author may define a word for the readers. For example : The median, or midpoint score, was 10.5. 2. Descriptions : The reader uses the context that describes an unknown word to recognize it. For example: In the dirty, crowded slum of major cities, few children have an opportunity to grow as other children do. 3. Examples: Examples of an unknown word may help the reader to recognize it. For example: T he feline family includes cat<>, tigers, and lions. 4. Synonyms: A more famili ar word than the unknown word may be supplied. For example : T he next-door neighbor was helpful. 5 . Antonyms: The meaning of one "''ord which gives an opposite 370
