Which strategies are examples of semantic cues?

• A. Decoding by translating graphemes to phonemes
• B. Encoding practice with handwriting
• C. Syntactic analysis of sentences
• D. Semantic cue strategies such as picture walks or KWL charts

Answer: (D)

Semantic cues are strategies that help readers derive meaning from text by using meaning-based clues from pictures, background knowledge, and context. Picture walks guide you to anticipate events and vocab from illustrations before reading, helping build a mental framework for understanding. A KWL chart prompts you to connect what you already know, what you want to learn, and what you’ve learned, anchoring new information in meaning. This contrasts with decoding, which focuses on sound-letter relationships; encoding practice with handwriting, which centers on producing written language; and syntactic analysis, which emphasizes sentence structure and grammar. Because semantic cue strategies directly support comprehension through meaning, picture walks and KWL charts are the appropriate examples.