Chapter 7: Inference Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Read Pg. 352/ 338 & 353/339 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Details + Knowledge/Experience= Inference What is an inference? Details + Knowledge/Experience= Inference 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Inferential level deals with: What Is An Inference? Inferential level deals with: Motives Feelings Judgements Suggestion artistic creative entertaining 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Implied Humor Pg. 355/341 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Who is the smartest? A student annotating items on a computer printout. A student with earphones listening an Ipod. A student talking with classmates about American Idol. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

In a small town of the 1940’s you’d hear a discussion about? Movies Cinema Picture Show 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Who earns the most money? A businessperson in a dark suit, white shirt, & tie. A businessperson in slacks and a polo. A businessperson in a pale-blue uniform. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Esmerelda is skinny. Esmerelda is slim or slender. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Connotation of Words Denotation is the specific meaning of a word. (Dictionary) Connotation refers to the feeling or emotionalism surrounding a word. (Ex: skinny communicates a negative feeling). (Ex: slender or slim communicates a positive feeling). 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Issue b. Problem a. Loneliness b. Independence Tolerant b. Pushover a . Difficult b. Challenging a. Pale b. fair p. 358/344-360/345 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Euphemisms and Politically Correct Language 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.” 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers I have bubble guts. She is handicapped. He is fat. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Figurative Language Figurative language comparisons that are not literally true. (Ex: “She worked like a dog”) Idioms Similes Metaphors Literary Analogies Hyperbole or Overstatement Personification Verbal Irony Pg. 347

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Idioms Idioms are expressions that do not make literal sense but have taken on a new generally accepted meaning over many years of use. (Ex: his eyes were bigger than his stomach) 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Similes A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. (Ex: the spring flower pushed up its bloom like a lighthouse beckoning on a gloomy night.) 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Metaphors A metaphor is a direct comparison of two unlike things (without using like or as). (Ex: The corporate accountant is a computer from nine to five.) 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Literary Analogy A literary analogy is a comparison of two unlike things that can be a simile or a metaphor. Example: “Time is like a river.” 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Hyperbole Hyperbole or overstatement is an exaggeration to describe something as being more than it actually is. An understatement minimizes the point. Example of hyperbole: I could sleep for twenty days and nights and still be tired. Example of understatement: His clothes have seen better days. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Personification Personification is attributing human characteristics to non-human things. Example: The birds speak from the forest. Example: Time marches on. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Verbal Irony Verbal irony is the use of words to express a meaning that is the opposite of what is literally said. If the intent is to hurt, the irony is called sarcasm. Example: “What a great looking corporate outfit!” (said to someone wearing torn jeans). Example: “There is nothing like a sunny day for a picnic” (said on a day of pouring rain). p. 363 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Figurative Language Definition Example Simile Compares two unlike things using like or as He is as dumb as a doorknob. Metaphor Compares using is, are, was, were Usain Bolt is a cheetah on the track. Personification Give human characteristics to a nonhuman object. The sun beat down back all the way to the park. Idioms The literary meaning is not true. The phrase has an accepted meaning over time. After we got on the babysitter’s nerves, she told us to, “go play in traffic”. Hyperbole An exaggeration. She is so thin, she can hula hoop in a cheerio.

Example Fear knocked on my door, but I was afraid to answer

His feet were big as boats. Her hair was like Rapunzel’s. Hit the books Give me a hand His feet were big as boats. Her hair was like Rapunzel’s. I nearly died laughing I was hopping mad I tried a thousand times Pg. 349

Figurative Language in Poetry In poetry, the language is often condensed and uses figurative language. Read the poem several times, at least one time out loud. Visualize what you read. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Figurative Language in Poetry Example: Campfire extinguished The woman washing dishes In a pan of stars Explanation: When all light is extinguished outside, the stars are so bright that they illuminate the pan for washing. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Inferences From Facts The author selects facts. No direct connection is stated. The reader must figure out the suggested message. p. 370/354 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers 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 Based on Action, Dialogue and Description Inferences Based on Description of a Person/Place Inferences Based on Action Inferences Based on Dialogue See pages 373-376 for examples of these types of inferences. 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers Types of Inferences Inference from actions Inference from factual material Inferences from description 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Using Prior Knowledge to Make Inferences Prior knowledge is expected. Details help you infer time. Details help you infer place. Pg. 360

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

2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers 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. p. 378/362 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

Summary Points/ Metacognition Check 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? 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers