Reading Strategy Making Inferences

Background knowledge or schema Inference : A logical conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning Background knowledge or schema Contextual Evidence Inference What you know What you read Inference

How can I figure out what the author doesn’t tell me? Authors don’t always tell us everything so: Ask “What is the author leaving out that is important to understanding the article?” Making Inferences is also called Drawing Conclusions or Reading Between the Lines

What can I infer about? Emotions: Tears streamed down her face. Location: Waves crashed against the shore. Action: Joe dribbled down the court. Time/Era: When the porch light burned out, there was total darkness. Cause/Effect: In the morning, we noticed that the trees were uprooted and homes were missing their rooftops. Characteristic: Mrs. Martin has so many clothes; she can go a whole month and not wear the same thing. Sometimes she changes at lunch just to show off.

#1 When Pedro finished, he put the book in his backpack and turned on the TV. What had Pedro done? ______________________________________

#2 As the seat began to swing back and forth, Tom gripped the safety bar tightly and told himself not to look down. Where is Tom? ______________________________________

#3 Peggy slammed the door shut behind her and stomped down the stairs. How does Peggy feel? ______________________________________

Journal 2/24: Use the picture to make two inferences. Write what you see (observation) and what you know to make your inferences.