Context Clues🕵️
Maya was exhausted after running three miles. She could barely keep her eyes open. What does exhausted mean?
Very tired.
This part of the story introduces the characters, setting, and important background information.
Exposition
Devin's stomach twisted as he waited for his name to be called. Is this internal or external?
Internal
Eli grabs an umbrella before leaving because dark clouds are filling the sky. What can you infer?
He thinks it is going to rain.
Should a good summary include every tiny detail from the story?
No!
The kitten was timid. It hid behind the couch whenever someone new entered the room. What does timid mean?
Shy or scared
This is the turning point or most intense moment of a story.
Climax
Actions, words, and facial expressions are examples of this type of response.
External response
Mia gives half of her lunch to a student who forgot theirs. What can you infer about Mia?
She is kind/caring/generous.
What does SWBST stand for?
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then
The hallway was chaotic, unlike the calm and quiet library. What does chaotic most likely mean?
Wild, loud, or disorganized
After the main problem has reached its climax, the characters begin dealing with what happened. What plot element is this?
Falling action
Amy was furious about losing the game, so she threw her backpack onto the bench and walked away. What is Ava's external response?
She throws her backpack and walks away.
Carlos checks his backpack three times before leaving for school and makes a list of everything he needs. What personality trait can you infer?
Organized / responsible / careful
What is repetitive about this sentence? “Sam ran home. Sam opened the door. Sam dropped his backpack.”
“Sam” is repeated too much.
Marcus was famished, so he ate two sandwiches, an apple, and a bag of chips. What type of context clue helps you figure out famished?
Example
Jordan looked at his old bicycle and suddenly remembered learning to ride it with his grandfather five years earlier. What nonlinear plot element is being used?
Flashback
Thoughts and feelings are examples of this type of response.
Internal response
Naomi's hands shake as she walks toward the microphone, and she keeps looking toward the exit. How is Naomi probably feeling? Use one piece of evidence.
Nervous/anxious; her hands shake or she looks toward the exit.
Replace the weak word went with a more specific word: “Tyler went down the hallway because he was late.”
Ran / hurried / rushed
“The glass was fragile, meaning it could easily crack or break.” What type of context clue is being used?
Definition
A character loses her dog. She searches the neighborhood, hangs up posters, asks neighbors for help, and follows a set of paw prints. What part of the plot are these events most likely part of?
Lisa thinks, “There is no way I can do this,” but takes a deep breath and walks onto the stage anyway. Name one internal AND one external response.
Jay's friends want him to copy their answers, but he closes his paper and says, “I'll take the bad grade if I have to.” What can you infer about Jay's character?
Combine these sentences: “Ella was tired. Ella finished her homework.”
Example: Although Ella was tired, she finished her homework.