Text Feature
This feature is found under a photo or illustration and gives a brief explanation of what is shown.
Caption
Signal words like first, next, then, finally, and specific dates show this text structure.
Chronological/Sequence
This is a clear, one-sentence statement that directly answers the prompt or question being asked.
Claim
In the sentence "The weather was balmy—warm and mild," the author uses this type of context clue.
What is a definition clue?
The literal, dictionary definition of a word, without any emotional association, is known as this.
What is denotation
Located at the top of a section or chapter, this short title tells the reader what the upcoming paragraphs will be about.
Heading/Subheading
Words like similar, different, however, on the other hand, and both indicate this organizational pattern.
Compare and Contrast
Facts, statistics, quotes, or examples directly taken from the text to support a point are called this.
Evidence
In the sentence "Unlike her gregarious sister who loves parties, Maya is shy and quiet," the author uses this type of context clue.
What is an antonym (or contrast) clue?
The feelings or ideas associated with a word (positive, negative, or neutral) are called its ____.
What is connotation?
Authors use this visual formatting—making letters darker and thicker—to indicate important vocabulary words.
Bold Text
If an article details how plastic pollution harms marine life and then details ways people can recycle to fix it, it uses this structure.
Problem and Solution
This part of CER connects the proof directly to the statement by explaining how and why the quote proves the main point.
What is reasoning
In the sentence "The castle was immense; it was huge and gigantic compared to the surrounding houses," the words huge and gigantic serve as this type of context clue.
What is a synonym clue?
In the phrase "The detective worked hard to illuminate the mystery," the word illuminate most nearly means to do this.
What is to light up (or make clear/explain)?
Found at the very back of a book, this feature lists important key terms in alphabetical order along with their definitions.
Glossary
Signal words like because, therefore, as a result, and consequently indicate this text structure.
Cause and Effect
Identify the element: "According to paragraph 4, 75% of middle school students report getting less than eight hours of sleep."
What is evidence?
In the sentence "Commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks, mail vans, and semi-trucks, blocked the highway," the clue type used for commercial vehicles is this.
What is an example clue?
If two students have a dispute over who gets to sit in the front row, the word dispute means this.
What is an argument (or disagreement)?
This extra box of text, usually located to the side of the main article, provides fun extra facts or detailed background information.
Sidebar
This structure paints a picture in the reader's mind by listing sensory details, characteristics, and examples of a single topic.
Descriptive/Description
Identify the element: "Schools should start later because well-rested students perform better academically and have fewer health issues."
What is a claim?
When an author doesn't give a direct definition or synonym, you must use background knowledge and overall sentence hints to figure out a word through this clue type.
What is an inference
If a storm is described as relentless, it means the storm is doing this.
What is not stopping (or harsh, continuous)