figurative language & context clues Flashcards
Definition/Explanation clues
when a word or phrase’s meaning is explained immediately after it’s use.
example: “Haberdashery, which is a store that sells men’s clothing, is becoming more common today.”
Restatement/Synonym Clues
Sometimes a hard word or phrase is said in a simple way.
Example: “Lou was sent to the haberdashery to find a new suit. He needed to wear one for his uncle’s wedding.”
Because the sentence says that Lou would find a suit at the haberdashery, then it must be a place where clothes for men are sold.
Contrast/Antonym Clues
Sometimes a word or phrase is clarified by the presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close to its use. Look for signal words when applying context clues.
Example: “Lou wanted to go to the haberdashery, but Ann wanted to shop at the boutique.” The signal word but tells the reader that an opposite thought is going to be stated.
Inference/General Context Clues
Sometimes a word or phrase is not immediately clarified within the same sentence. Relationships, which are not directly apparent, are inferred or implied. The reader must look for clues within, before, and after the sentence in which the word is used.
Example: “The haberdashery was Lou’s favorite place. He loved shopping for nice suits. The people who worked there were so kind and helpful.”
Punctuation
Readers can also use clues of punctuation and type style to infer meaning, such as quotation marks (showing the word has a special meaning), dashes, parentheses or brackets (enclosing a definition), and italics (showing the word will be defined).
Examples: Tom’s father was a haberdasher, or men’s shop keeper, in the story. Tom’s father was a haberdasher (men’s shop keeper) in the story. In the story, Tom’s father was a haberdasher-or men’s shop keeper. Tom’s father was a “haberdasher”. He had a clothing store for men.
synonym
a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase
antonym
a word opposite in meaning to another
simile
comparing two things using like or as
metaphor
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action which it is not literally applicable
**comparing two things not using like or as
hyperbole
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
personification
giving human characteristics to nonhuman things
homophone
each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling
homographs
two or more words spelled the same but not pronounced the same and that have different meanings or origins
idiom
a word or phrase which means something different from its literal meaning
alliteration
a sentence or phrase with words which start with the same letter or sound
