© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Chapter 10: Inference Breaking Through: College Reading, 7/e Brenda Smith

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Inference An inference is a meaning that is not directly stated but can be deduced from clues.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Recognizing Suggested Meaning The suggestion carries the meaning. Example: In the shallows, face downward, lay the oiler. His forehead touched sand that was periodically, between each wave, clear of the sea. ”The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane Assumption: He is dead.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Connecting with Prior Knowledge Inferences require linking old knowledge to new. Clues may draw on assumed knowledge of:  history  current issues  social concerns

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Recognizing Slanted Language Denotation  dictionary definition of a word Connotation  the feeling or emotion surrounding a word Example: -run down -deteriorated -neglected

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Drawing Conclusions  facts  hints  clues  prior knowledge  Assumptions  Conclusions

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Reading and Studying an Essay or Speech  What is the theme?  How do the details develop the theme?  What is the author’s attitude?  What images contribute to the theme?  What is the conclusion?

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Interpreting Literary Devices: Figurative Language  Simile:  Spot ran like the wind.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Simile A comparison using the words like or as. Examples:  The girl plays soccer like a tiger.  The overcooked bread was as hard as the table.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Interpreting Literary Devices: Figurative Language  Metaphor: Grandpa had a head of snow and a warm heart.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Metaphor A metaphor is a directly stated comparison. Examples:  The soccer player was a tiger.  The storm was the thief of the enchanting summer night.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Personification An inanimate object is given human characteristics. Examples:  The wind sang through the trees.  Her skin crawled when the music played.  The sun kissed the flowers in the meadow.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Irony Saying one thing but meaning another to show humor, sarcasm, and ridicule. Example: “You’re a great shot,” used to ridicule a basketball player who scored only once in 17 tries.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Reading Editorials  What event prompted the editorial?  What is the opinion being promoted?  Do the details prove the thesis?  Is the author liberal or conservative?  What is left out?  Are the sources and facts credible?

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Summary Questions  What is an inference?  Why are jokes funny?  What is the effect of slanted language?  What are conclusions?

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