1. Chapter 5: Making Inferences
Regardless of what your situation is, there is always the possibility of improvement.
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2. In this chapter you will learn how to:
Make inferences from facts and written material.
Analyze the process of making inferences.
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3. What is an inference?
An inference is a reasoned guess based on the facts on hand.
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How to Make Inferences
Understand the literal meaning.
Notice details.
Add up the facts.
Be alert to clues.
Consider the author’s purpose.
Verify your inference.
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5. Examples of Inferences
When you figure out why someone doesn’t want to go out with you.
When your mom uses that “tone of voice” with you, you know how she’s feeling.
When someone gives you that “look” and you understand what they mean.
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6. Understand the Literal Meaning
Step 1: Find the:
topic
main idea
pattern of organization
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Notice Details
Step 2: Notice clues:
What is unusual or striking about this piece of information?
Why is it included here?
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Add Up the Facts
Step 3: Notice facts (details):
What is the writer trying to suggest from this set of facts?
What do all these facts and ideas seem to point toward or add up to?
Why did the author include these facts and details?
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Be Alert to Clues
Word choices
Details included and omitted
Ideas emphasized
Direct commentary
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10. Consider the Author’s Purpose
Step 4: Ask why the author wrote this:
. Knowledge of the author’s purpose helps the reader make inferences
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Verify Your Inference
Step 5: Verify inferences:
Check accuracy of inferences.
Check stated facts for sufficient evidence.
Check for overlooked inferences.
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Practices
Practice #4 p. 105 (#1-3)
Practice #5 pp (#1-3)
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U-Review – p. 1
What is the first step to making inferences?
What questions should you ask when looking at the details?
What kind of “clues” should you look for in the details?
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U-Review p. 2
Which of these will help you to make valid inferences?
a. vocabulary in context
b. author’s purpose
c. recognizing opinions
What should you do when you think you have made a correct inference?
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15. © 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
U-Review p. 3
What is the difference between an inference and an assumption?
What is an invalid inference?
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16. Visit the Companion Website
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