Making inferences An important reading strategy

What is an inference? An inference is a logical guess that readers make using their own background knowledge and clues from the text Background knowledge + Text clues = Inference

Let’s try it! Mario stared at the airplane taking off outside the window. He clutched his suitcase nervously.

Let’s try it! Mario stared at the airplane taking off outside the window. He clutched his suitcase nervously. Airplane and suitcase are text clues. These are the clues that the author has given us to help us figure out what is going on.

Text clues + Background knowledge Text clues + Background knowledge = Inference Mario stared at the airplane taking off outside the window. He clutched his suitcase nervously. Now let’s add our background knowledge. What do we know about a place where airplanes take off? Why might Mario have a suitcase?

Our inference! Mario must be at an airport. He is probably about to take a trip on a plane. We made this inference using our background knowledge and text clues.

Let’s try another Andrea jumped into action. The ball was coming! She had to defend her team’s goal. What are the text clues that can help you figure out what Andrea is doing?

Let’s try another Andrea jumped into action. The ball was coming! She had to defend her team’s goal. What are the text clues that can help you figure out what Andrea is doing? The clues in the text are the words ball, defend, and team’s goal

Adding our background knowledge Andrea jumped into action. The ball was coming! She had to defend her team’s goal. What do you know about these words? What is your background knowledge? Andrea might be playing soccer. In soccer, there is a ball and goals.

Reading on to confirm an inference Sometimes, you will need to read on to find out if your inference was accurate or not. We call this “confirming” your inference. You look at more text clues to decide if you need to adjust your inference.

What inference do you make? Joe carefully put the icing on the cake. “Perfect!” he said, looking at the result. “Now all I need to do is get the balloons and we’ll be all ready.”

What inference do you make? Joe carefully put the icing on the cake. “Perfect!” he said, looking at the result. “Now all I need to do is get the balloons and we’ll be all ready.” The doorbell rang. “Finally, everyone is here for Mark’s welcome home party!” Joe said.

What inference do you make? The first passage may have made you think that Joe was getting ready for a birthday party. What were the text clues that led you to think this?

What inference do you make? But in the next passage, you find out that the party is really a Welcome home party instead of a birthday party. The text clues help you to adjust your first inference

Try another one! Make an inference based on the text below: Jose looked through the garage. “Dad, can I have some extra pieces of wood?” he asked. “And do you have any nails or a hammer?”

What can you infer about Jose? What were the text clues that helped you to infer? What additional information do you need? Jose and his dad looked at the tree. “I think it’s big enough,” his dad said. “Just be careful. I can help you figure out how to build it.”

What have you learned about inferences? Share your learning with a partner. Remember, an inference is Text Clues + Background Knowledge BK + TC = I