READING STRATEGIES

MAKING INFERENCES

An inference is a fact which is suggested, but not stated, by a writer An inference is a fact which is suggested, but not stated, by a writer. Inferences are not guesses.

Everything you read requires you to make inferences Everything you read requires you to make inferences. Inferences help you move from what is stated to what is suggested.

Read the text. Begin with the stated facts. Add your own experience Read the text. Begin with the stated facts. Add your own experience. Fill in the gaps.

John woke up. This is a stated fact. Based on this, we can infer that John was asleep. The fact that John was asleep is suggested, but not stated.

When choosing the best inference, more than one may be true When choosing the best inference, more than one may be true. The best inference is the one most supported by the clues you found when reading. Sometimes clues can be found in a whole paragraph, in one sentence, or in a single word.

The alarm went off, and John woke up. Which is the best inference? John is a heavy sleeper. John is afraid of over-sleeping. John was sleeping until the alarm woke him up.

Read the text. Begin with the stated facts. Add your own experience Read the text. Begin with the stated facts. Add your own experience. Fill in the gaps.

MAKING PREDICTIONS

Like making inferences, making predictions is a skill you use every time you read. When you make predictions, you anticipate, or look forward to, what comes next. Predictions build on clues you find in the text combined with your own experience.

A good prediction is not necessarily one that comes true A good prediction is not necessarily one that comes true. A good prediction is one which is supported by clues found in the text.

You make some predictions before you read a text. Is there a title? Are there pictures? “What do I think this will be about?” You make other predictions while you are reading. “Based on what I just read, what do I think will come next?”

I am an invisible man. The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. 1984, George Orwell

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger

Good readers evaluate their predictions as they read. Did my prediction come true? If not, why was I wrong? If yes, what clues did I use in my prediction?

Read the text. Look for clues. Add your own experience Read the text. Look for clues. Add your own experience. Make a prediction. Evaluate.

WRITING SUMMARIES

Read the text. Identify the main idea Read the text. Identify the main idea. Determine what information is significant. Group what details you can.

READING FICTION

Elements of a Story: Plot Conflict Character Setting (Theme)

Conflict: Man vs Man Man vs Nature Man vs Society Man vs Himself Etc. (Luke fighting Darth Vader) Man vs Nature (Luke trying to survive on the ice planet, Hoth) Man vs Society (Luke trying to destroy the Galactic Empire) Man vs Himself (Luke struggling with his own hatred) Etc.

Plot: Exposition Initiating event Rising actions Climax Falling actions Conclusion

IDENTIFYING STRUCTURES

Description Sequence Compare and Contrast Cause and Effect Problem and Solution

IDENTIFYING PURPOSE

To Inform To Persuade/Convince To Entertain

IDENTIFYING TONE

Confident/Bold Cautious Emotional Dry Respectful Flippant Figurative Factual (Academic/Non-Academic)