Reading Strategy: Monitor Your Reading

As you read, some words may be new to you. When you see a word you do not know, use these steps to figure out its meaning.

Reading Strategy: Monitor Your Reading
    How to Clarify Vocabulary

  • 1. Figure out what you already know about the word. Have you seen it before?

  • 2. Look at the other words in the sentence and the sentences nearby. These context clues might help you figure out what the word means.

  • 3. Sometimes you can break a word into parts. If you recognize part of the word, it may give you a clue about the word’s meaning.

  • 4. If the word still does not make sense, read on. You might see it later.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student clarified vocabulary.

Look Into the Text

PRINCESS. Father, I have always wanted to marry someone who enjoys riddles as much as I do. I could marry a man who is as good a riddler as I am. That would make me very happy.

What does “riddler” mean?

“I see riddles in the first sentence. I know that word. Maybe a riddler is someone who enjoys riddles.”

Practice Together

Read “A Contest of Riddles.” Follow the steps in the How-To box to clarify the meaning of a word you don’t know.