There are 5 types of context clues which include, Restatement, Comparison, Contrast, Synonym, and Example. If you are looking for a word with the same meaning as the unfamiliar word, using a synonym context clue will be most useful. This means finding words around the unfamiliar word that would make sense to replace the word that you do not know, this will then help you form a better understanding of what this unfamiliar word means.
small = (μικρός) micros, e.g. microscope for looking at small things
island = (νῆσος) nesos, such as polynesia (many islands)
So the small island becomes micronesia, which is a group of small islands north of New Guinea, and to the north west of polynesia.
See attached map from Wiki.
A reader must restate the thesis and restate all their points they used in the writing.