Chapter 2

 Chapter 2 : Strategies to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words

  • Vocabulary strategies allow learners to use multiple ways and sources to determine the meaning of words. 
  • The strategies :
  • a) Contextual analysis
  • b) Word structural analysis

A) Contextual Analysis

- Requires students to infer the meaning of the words by closely examining the surrounding text.
- When reading, readers may not be able to understand every word found in a particular text. Thus, readers depend on context clues to facilitate their comprehension. 
- Context clues = clues or hints found within a sentence, paragraph or passage which can assist the readers in understanding the meaning of unfamiliar words. 
- Contextual analysis helps the readers to make an intelligent guess.

1. Example clues - consists of examples given by the author to explain the meaning of unfamiliar words
  • "for example", "for instance", "such as" and "like"
2. Contrast clues - opposite meanings are crucial to contrast clues.
  • "however" , "although" , "but" and "nevertheless"
3. Inference clues - helps readers to make an educated and intelligent guess of the meaning of unfamiliar words by using rationale, reasoning skills and the information provided in the text when they come across such words.

4. Experience clues - the reader's experience and prior knowledge are also clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. 

B) Word Structural Analysis

1. Root - word in its own right. 
  • A root word, or root, can have a prefix, suffix, or both added to it.

2. Prefixes and Suffixes 
  • Prefixes - an affix that is added in front of a root word, and it often changes the meaning of the word. Common prefixes include re- , un- and mis-
  • Suffixes - an affix which is placed after a root word. For example, the root word 'book' provides the main meaning of the word, whereas adding the suffix -s modifies the meaning of the root word by making it plural. 
✅ Summary of this topic :
  • Structural analysis helps students learn how to use what they already understand about words and word parts, so that they can expand their existing vocabulary arsenal. 

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