What is the author saying? Reading between the lines/making inferences and drawing conclusions. Uh! I don’t get it. Don’t worry kid. I’m a real hero. I’ll tell you everything you need to know.

You know, when I was little, I didn’t always understand exactly what I read. I didn’t understand what it meant to imply something. Ironman, that’s the suit you’re going to use to fight fire, fly, and save people with? Yeah, isn’t it great. I think the sleeveless shirt makes me look tough. It’s good for my image.

Now that I’ve gotten older and wiser, I’ve come to realize that everything we say and do contains both explicit and implicit meaning. I know, I know, you’re thinking what do you mean by explicit and implicit. Don’t worry, I’ll explain.

Explicit meaning is the plain meaning of the words used. This means the author means exactly what he or she says.

Implicit meaning is much more slippery. It is the meaning that observers draw from the unspoken aspects of communication or action. It’s NOT the exact meaning of what is being spoken. Look at this cartoon again. Is the nurse taking what the doctor told her explicitly or implicitly ? Tell a partner next to you what you think.

Which of these is explicit and which is implicit? 1. The trees were swaying wildly outside Anne’s window as she prepared for bed, and the gutters were overflowing. 2. It was a dark and stormy night.

Let’s try another one. Which of these is explicit and which is implicit? 1. The man was very rich. 2. He rolled up to the bank chauffeured in his brand new Rolls Royce.

Oh, you’re back! Don’t mind me, I’m just trying to get a few house chores done. That was quick. You sure got the meaning of implicit and explicit quickly. I suppose you’re now ready to move on to the next point in understanding text and that’s inference.

What is an inference ? Inference is just a big word that means a conclusion or judgment. If you infer that something has happened, you do not see, hear, feel, smell, or taste the actual event. But from what you know, it makes sense to think that it has happened. You make inferences everyday. Most of the time you do so without thinking.

Here’s an example:  Just the other day, I was out doing what I do everyday, inventing cool machines, going out to lunch with a few business partners and such when I ended up in a little scuffle. After I had beat the oblivion out of the scumbag, I started walking back home when I heard a loud boom, felt a hot air at my back, and smelt smoke.

Now, there was no need for me to look back because I used my inferring skills.  Smoke  Heat  Boom

Can you think of a time when you had to infer information?  Turn to your partner and tell them about that time. Be prepared to share with the whole class about what your partner told you. ( 2 min.)

Let’s take a minute and review. Explicit Implicit Infer Review with your partner the following words:

Explicit – Directly stated by the author Implicit – Not the exact meaning of what is said Inference – A conclusion or judgment based on evidence