Words in context are crucial for SAT Reading & Writing. They're all about figuring out what unfamiliar words mean by looking at the surrounding text. It's like being a word detective, using clues to crack the code.

Context clues come in many forms: definitions, examples, synonyms, and more. You'll need to analyze sentences, identify parts of speech, and break down word parts. It's a skill that'll help you not just on the test, but in all your future reading too.

Word Meaning in Context

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Types of Context Clues

• Context clues provide hints within surrounding text to determine unfamiliar word meanings
• Definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and cause-effect relationships serve as context clues
• Part of speech and word role in sentence offer additional meaning insights
• Prefixes, suffixes, and word roots help infer word meanings based on component parts
• Punctuation (commas, dashes, parentheses) often sets off explanations of unfamiliar words
• Passage context disambiguates words with multiple possible meanings

Strategies for Determining Word Meaning

• Analyze surrounding sentences for clues about unfamiliar words
• Identify word's part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) to narrow potential meanings
• Examine word's sentence role (subject, object, modifier) for further context
• Break down words into prefixes, roots, and suffixes to deduce meaning
• Consider punctuation that may introduce definitions or explanations
• Evaluate overall passage context to select most appropriate meaning for ambiguous words

Word Choice and Impact

Diction and Tone

• Diction refers to writer's word choices, varying based on purpose, audience, and context
• Word selection creates tone (serious, humorous, sarcastic, objective)
• Tone conveys writer's attitude toward subject matter
• Formal, informal, technical, or colloquial language shapes overall writing style
• Vivid verbs, precise nouns, and descriptive adjectives enhance engagement and meaning

Literary Devices and Writing Techniques

• Figurative language (metaphors, similes, personification) adds depth by comparing unlike things
• Repetition of words, phrases, or structures emphasizes key ideas and establishes rhythm
• Transitions (however, moreover, in contrast) connect ideas and clarify relationships
• Specific word choices evoke emotions, create imagery, or convey complex concepts succinctly
• Varied sentence structures and word choices maintain reader interest and reinforce key points

Connotations vs Denotations

Understanding Denotations and Connotations

• Denotation represents literal, dictionary definition of a word
• Connotation encompasses emotional or cultural associations evoked by a word
• Words with similar denotations often carry different connotations
• Connotations can be positive, negative, or neutral, influenced by context and cultural background
• Writers use specific connotations to shape reader perceptions without explicit statements

Applying Connotation and Denotation Knowledge

• Analyze words with similar denotations for their connotative differences (slim, thin, scrawny)
• Consider how connotations affect overall tone and meaning of a passage
• Recognize cultural influences on word connotations when interpreting texts
• Choose words carefully in writing to convey intended meaning and emotional impact
• Identify how authors use connotations to influence reader opinions on characters, events, or ideas