Kathy Harrigan English 98 Inference Kathy Harrigan English 98

What is Inference? What is an inference, and what does it mean to read between the lines?

Inferences From Facts The author selects facts and may not include others. No direct connection is stated. The reader must figure out the suggested message.

Inferences can come from an author’s: What Is An Inference? Inferences can come from an author’s: Motives Feelings Judgments Suggestions

Connotation of Words We infere meaning from the connotation, the feeling or emotionalism, surrounding a word. (Ex: skinny communicates a negative feeling). (Ex: slender or slim communicates a positive feeling).

Euphemisms and Politically Correct Language: We infere meaning and an author’s intention by HOW an author talks about a subject.

A euphemism is a substitution of a harsh term for one more polite A euphemism is a substitution of a harsh term for one more polite. Example: “He passed away” instead of “He died.” Politically correct language or doublespeak is used to hide something unpleasant. Example: Using “collateral damage” instead of “civilian casualties.” We infer meaning about how an author feels about a subject by her/his euphemisms and doublespeak.

Figurative Language and Analogies: What kind of relationships or associations are implied? Figurative language comparisons that are not literally true. Example: “She worked like a dog”

Analogy An analogy is a comparison of two unlike things. Example: “Time is like a river.” Example: “Time is like a ticking bomb.” We can infer two different meanings from these very different ideas of time.

Example of Inferences Fact 1: The population of all European Union countries combined grew by 343,000 last year. Fact 2: The population of India grew in the first week of 2001 by 343,000. The inference is that India’s population is increasing at an alarming rate. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Inferences About a Speaker or Narrator Sometimes we can figure out who the speaker or narrator is by the way they explain something or by their dialogue. Example: Children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority. They show disrespect for elders. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, cross their legs and tyrannize their teachers. (written by Greek philosopher Plato about 2,300 years ago) Inferences About a Speaker or Narrator

Inferences Based on Action and Description Inferences Based on Description of a Person Inferences Based on Action Inferences Based on Description of a Place Inferences Based on Action and Description

Types of Inferences Inference from actions Inference from factual material Inferences from description

Using Prior Knowledge to Make Inferences Prior knowledge is expected. Details help you infer time. Details help you infer place.

Reader’s Tip: Making Inferences Consider the attitude in the author’s choice of words. Unravel actions. Interpret motives. Use suggested meaning and facts to make assumptions. Draw on prior knowledge to make connections. Base conclusions on stated ideas and unstated assumptions. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Inference Requires Drawing Conclusions Make a logical deduction from both stated and unstated ideas. Use hints as well as the facts. Rely on prior knowledge and experience to interpret motives, actions, and outcomes.

Summary Points and Questions What is an inference? What is the connotation of a word? What is figurative language? Why is prior knowledge needed to grasp implied meaning? How does a reader draw conclusions?