Context Clues
Text book writers usually know when they must use a word that will be new to their student readers. So they often include other words or phrases to help with the understanding of the new word. These words or phrases are referred to as context clues. They are built into the sentences around the difficult word. If you become more aware of the words around the difficult words you encounter in your reading, you will save your self many trips to the dictionary. You will be able to make logical guesses about the meanings of many words
Websites: Lesson on context clues Context Clues Game Context Clues -Rags to Riches |
Figurative Language
Figurative language can be found in literature and poetry where the writing appeals to the senses. It can do this by giving a word or phrase a specific meaning that may be different than the literal definition. Sometimes figurative language compares two things in such a way that you find the comparison interesting and descriptive.
You are using figurative language when your writing goes beyond the actual meanings of words so that the reader gains new insights into the objects or subjects in the work.
One of the best ways to really understand the concept of figurative language is to see it in action such as with these examples:
- Alright, the sky misses the sun at night.
- The poorest man is the richest, and the rich are poor.
- Hear the mellow wedding bells. - Edgar Allen Poe
- Out of reach, I pull out with a screech.
- I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti.
- Her head was spinning from all the new information.
- The toast jumped out of the toaster.
- I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
- The Sea lashed out in anger at the ships, unwilling to tolerate another battle.
- The Redcoats are coming!
- I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!
Mrs. A Figurative Language
Understanding Figurative Language