What aids readers in inferring the meaning of complex ideas?

Context clues are instrumental in helping readers infer the meaning of complex ideas. These clues can be found in the surrounding text and may take the form of definitions, synonyms, antonyms, examples, or explanations that provide hints about the unfamiliar terms or concepts. By carefully analyzing these context clues, readers can draw logical conclusions and enhance their understanding of the text's deeper meanings without needing external resources.

While summaries can provide an overview of content and anecdotes can illustrate concepts through stories, they do not specifically aid in unpacking complex ideas within a text as effectively as context clues. Footnotes can offer additional information or clarification but are often supplementary and may not be present in all texts, making context clues a more universally applicable tool for comprehension.