Drawing Conclusions

Authors don’t always tell you everything. They may give you a few details about what happens in the story or about the characters. You can use the details and what you know to draw conclusions. A conclusion is a decision you reach that makes sense after you think about the details or facts that you have read. Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

Drawing Conclusions A conclusion is a decision or judgment based on information. Good readers try to draw conclusions as they read based on the information the writer gives and on what they know from their own experiences. We use our observations as well as what we already know to draw conclusions. Authors don’t usually tell readers what to think about a story’s facts and details. Let’s look at a situation…

Drawing Conclusions Situation: Brad said, “The smell of popcorn filled the air. I heard the audience laughing. “ What conclusion can you draw?

Did you conclude that Brad was at the movies?

Drawing Conclusions Brad added, “People were buying peanuts and cotton candy. They cheered for the man with the ball. Does this new information change things? What is your conclusion?

Did you conclude that Brad was at a baseball game?

Drawing Conclusions Brad added, “I even heard loud roars that sounded like lions.” “The elephants marched around the ring.” What is your conclusion now?

You can conclude that Brad is a the circus!

Drawing Conclusions When we draw a conclusion, it is based on evidence and our knowledge about things. Sometimes, one piece of information isn’t enough to make a correct conclusion. Brad could have been at the movies. But then we learned more. He could have been at a baseball game. With our new evidence, we can draw the conclusion that he is at the circus.

You draw conclusions every day about incidents you witness, information you gather or about texts you read. If you see smoke filtering out of the kitchen and the smoke alarm is buzzing, what conclusion would you draw? There is a fire in the kitchen!

I grow on an ear. Cook me in hot oil. I will puff up and taste good. Some people microwave me. What am I? What did you know in your head? What grows on an ear? Ear wax? Earrings? Corn?? You wouldn’t cook or taste ear wax or earrings. I know corn will puff up and it is sometimes cooked in the microwave.

Read the following paragraph carefully so you will be able to draw conclusions: A crash of thunder had awakened Allison. She couldn’t go back to sleep, so she decided to go to the kitchen to make some cranberry muffins. Wouldn’t her family be surprised with such a breakfast treat! Allison felt her way along the darkened hallway. When she got to the kitchen, she flicked on the light switch. Nothing happened! Why didn’t the lights go on? The storm must have caused a power failure. How did you reach this conclusion? Allison was awakened by thunder. What time of day was it? Early morning How did you know? Allison was asleep; hall was dark; wanted to surprise family with breakfast

Your Turn… Write a situation in which the class will have to draw a conclusion about your writing. For instance: “I was ready to head out of the house. I grabbed my backpack, my homework, a pop tart and my heavy jacket and headed for the door.” What could a person conclude? You Try It!