What is an inference?

What is an inference? An inference is a prediction or deduction about something in written text or in what we observe.

It is different from an observation. For instance, an observation may be... “A poster of Michael Jordan hangs in Mrs. Henry’s classroom.” An inference would be more like... “Mrs. Henry is a basketball fan.”

It is different from an observation. For instance, an observation may be... “It was a hot day and Billy sweat, so he stripped to his shorts to get cool.” An inference would be more like... “Billy stood in the shade of a tree that helped beat back some of the heat. He changed into his shorts and put sunscreen on his skin.”

Simply put… An inference is… see plus think

Inference: How do you think this boy feels about his dinner? What makes you think so?

Inference: What are three things you can tell about the person who these feet belong to?

Inference: Where are these girls? What makes you think so?

Inference: What is this man going to say to this girl? Why do you think so?

Inference: What do you think happened here? What makes you think so?

What inferences can you make from this commercial? darth vader commercial volkswagen 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGZNocni6zE

What inferences can you find in this Pixar short film? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI9Gw58MdA Partly Cloudy Pixar

Inferencing Within Text

The young woman walked a bit hesitantly towards the famous cozy Italian restaurant. She did not believe the excuse her parents gave her for having to meet her at the restaurant instead of at their house. To make matters worse, she was a bit grumpy because she was still catching up on the sleep that she lost during exam time. She noticed some cars that looked familiar in the parking lot. As soon as she walked through the door, she heard, "Surprise!"