USING DEFINITION SIGNALS READING SKILL

USING DEFINITION SIGNALS READING SKILL

FINDING DEFINITION SIGNALS A definition is the meaning of a word. Cat = small pet with a long tail Verb= an action or state

FINDING DEFINITION SIGNALS In textbooks, the writer often tells you the definition in an easy way. In other readings, the writer often doesn t. They use definition signals. marine biologist = a person who studies ocean animals. He was a marine biologist, or a person who studies ocean animals.

FINDING DEFINITION SIGNALS A definition signal shows you that a definition is close by. He was a marine biologist, or a person who studies ocean animals. He was a marine biologist, or a person who studies ocean animals.

PUNCTUATION DEFINITION SIGNALS

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS Punctuation helps us organize words. Types of punctuation: ;, & -?!.

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS We use these types of punctuation around a definition: 1. dashes 2. parentheses ( ) 3. commas,

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS We use these types of punctuation around a definition: 1. dashes 2. parentheses ( ) 3. commas, The marine biologist a person who studies ocean animals looked at the dolphin.

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS We use these types of punctuation around a definition: 1. dashes 2. parentheses ( ) 3. commas, The marine biologist (a person who studies ocean animals) looked at the dolphin.

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS We use these types of punctuation around a definition: 1. dashes 2. parentheses ( ) 3. commas, The marine biologist, a person who studies ocean animals, looked at the dolphin.

Practice Where are the definitions below? The windmill, a building that makes flour, was broken. I looked at the invigilator (the person watching me while I take the test) and smiled. Answers The windmill, a building that makes flour, was broken. I looked at the invigilator (the person watching me while I take the test) and smiled.

PUNCTUATION SIGNALS Sometimes the definition is at the end of a sentence. There will often only be a signal BEFORE the definition, not after. I know a marine biologist a person who studies ocean animals. I know a marine biologist, a person who studies ocean animals.

Practice Where are the definitions below? I think he s a procrastinator a person who waits a long time to do work. I can t find the spleen, the organ that produces bile. Answers I think he s a procrastinator a person who waits a long time to do work. I can t find the spleen, the organ that produces bile.

PHRASES DEFINITION SIGNALS

PHRASE SIGNALS Some phrases (groups of words) will give us the definition. Phrases: 1., or + DEF, 2. In other words, 3. that is, DEF 4. which/who is/are

PHRASE SIGNALS Some phrases (groups of words) will give us the definition. Phrases: 1., or + DEF, 2. In other words, 3. that is, DEF 4. which/who is/are The marine biologist, or a person who studies ocean animals, looked at the dolphin.

Practice Where are the definitions below? The hinges, or the metal things that help a door open and close, are old. The hinges are rusty, or covered in bad metal that stops them from moving. Answers The hinges, or the metal things that help a door open and close, are old. The hinges are rusty, or covered in bad metal that stops them from moving.

PHRASE SIGNALS Phrases: 1., or + DEF, 2. In other words, DEF 3. that is, DEF 4. which/who is/are The marine biologist looked at the dolphin. In other words, the person who studies ocean animals looked at the dolphin.

PHRASE SIGNALS 2. In other words, DEF With this, we REPEAT the words from the first sentence. The definition is the words that CHANGE. Cross out the words that are the same. The marine biologist looked at the dolphin. In other words, the person who studies ocean animals looked at the dolphin.

Practice Where are the definitions below? The machine is crammed full. In other words, it has too much inside it. We are overjoyed. In other words, we are very happy. Answers The machine is crammed full. In other words, it has too much inside it. We are overjoyed. In other words, we are very happy.

PHRASE SIGNALS Phrases: 1., or + DEF, 2. In other words, 3., that is, DEF, See how we use 3 commas? Sometimes it is repeated in a new sentence. 4. which/who is/are The marine biologist, that is, a person who studies ocean animals, looked at the dolphin. The marine biologist looked at the dolphin. That is, a person who studies ocean animals looked at the dolphin.

Practice Where are the definitions below? We need to investigate, that is, look closely at, this new problem. I m exhausted. That is, I m very tired. Answers I m exhausted. That is, I m very tired. We need to investigate, that is, look closely at, this new problem.

PHRASE SIGNALS Phrases: 1., or + DEF, 2. In other words, 3., that is, DEF, 4. which/who is/are The marine biologist, who is a person who studies ocean animals, looked at the dolphin. I looked at my dictionary, which is a book that gives definitions.

Practice Where are the definitions below? We took a breather, which is a short break. The interrogator, who is the person that asks questions, stared at me. Answers We took a breather, which is a short break. The interrogator, who is the person that asks questions, stared at me.

INDIRECT DEFINITION SIGNALS

INDIRECT SIGNALS Read these example sentences. I am visiting Calgary. This city is wonderful. I ate two apples. The fruit was delicious. We see two instructors. These teachers are very nice.

INDIRECT SIGNALS Do you see how the and these/this repeat the noun from the other sentence? We can use this to help us guess meaning! I am visiting Calgary. This city is wonderful. I ate two apples. The fruit was delicious. We see two instructors. These teachers are very nice.

INDIRECT SIGNALS The or this/that/these/those often mean the thing we already talked about. I saw a feline. The cat jumped up. It s a catastrophe! This problem will be very bad for the company!

Practice Where are the definitions below? He has arrhythmia. This heart problem can be very dangerous. I found a monitor lizard. The large animal smiled at me. Answers He has arrhythmia. This heart problem can be very dangerous. I found a monitor lizard. The large animal smiled at me.

IN SUMMARY GROUPS TYPES EXAMPLE PUNCTUAT ION PHRASES INDIRECT - -,, ( ) that is or In other words which/who is/are the this/that/these/those I need a spork a spoon fork. I need a spork, a spoon fork. I need a spork (a spoon fork). I need a spork, that is, a spoon fork. I need a spork, or a spoon fork. I need a spork. In other words, I need a spoon fork. I need a spork, which is a spoon fork. I saw a spork. The spoon fork was red. I saw a spork. This spoon fork was red.