March 2009

You need to be a reading detective The clues are there in front of you. They are normally in the text, not the pictures!

Detective skill number 1: Deduction When the detective arrives at the scene of the crime, he needs to establish the facts. Look for the clues in the text. Sometimes the answer is in front of you!

Detective skill number 1: Deduction Theseus scrambled around in the dark, desperately looking for a way out of the maze. He was anxiously searching for.... What did Theseus use in the maze to find his way out?

Detective skill number 2: Inference If you’re trying to solve a difficult case, the clues might not be so obvious. You need to infer what has happened, work something out from what you have read in a text even though you have NOT read it! (Reading between the lines).

Detective skill number 2: Inference Theseus sent Ariadne ashore to buy wine and bread. While she was gone, he set sail and hurried away, breathing a sigh of relief. Why did Theseus set sail without Ariadne?

Detective skill number 3: Prediction If you’re chasing a master criminal you need to try and predict their next move. Speculate about what is going to happen. Work out/say what you think will happen using your knowledge of what you have read.

Detective skill number 3: Prediction King Aegeus paced up and down waiting for Theseus to return. Finally he caught sight of his son’s ship. But there flying from the ship’s mast was a black flag. Aegeus stood frozen still, he... What do you think is going to happen next?

Remember to join Mr Walton’s Detective Agency you need these key skills: Deduction Inference Prediction