1. DEDUCTIVE vs. INDUCTIVE REASONING
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
DEDUCTIVE vs. INDUCTIVE REASONING
A.P. English 12
(adapted from
~tdalesan/mat142/notes/sec1.1.ppt)
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

2. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Problem Solving
Logic – The science of correct reasoning.
Reasoning – The drawing of inferences or conclusions from known or assumed facts.
When solving a problem (or analyzing a text), one must understand the question, gather all pertinent facts, analyze the problem i.e. compare with previous problems (note similarities and differences), and draw conclusions.
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

3. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Deductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning – A type of logic in which one goes from a general statement to a specific instance.
The classic example
All men are mortal. (major premise)
Socrates is a man. (minor premise)
Therefore, Socrates is mortal. (conclusion)
The above is an example of a syllogism.
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

4. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Deductive Reasoning
Syllogism: An argument composed of two statements or premises (the major and minor premises), followed by a conclusion.
For any given set of premises, if the conclusion is guaranteed, the argument is said to be valid.
If the conclusion is not guaranteed (at least one instance in which the conclusion does not follow), the argument is said to be invalid.
BE CAREFUL, DO NOT CONFUSE TRUTH WITH VALIDITY!
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

5. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Deductive Reasoning
Examples:
All students eat pizza.
Claire is a student at ASU.
Therefore, Claire eats pizza.
2. All athletes work out in the gym.
Lebron James is an athlete.
Therefore, Lebron James works
out in the gym.
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

6. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Deductive Reasoning
3. All math teachers are over
7 feet tall.
Mr. Gowdy is a math teacher.
Therefore, Mr. Gowdy is
over 7 feet tall.
The argument may be logically
valid, but is certainly not true!
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

7. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Inductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning, involves going from a series of specific cases/details to a generalized thesis statement. The conclusion in an inductive argument is never guaranteed but is DEBATABLE (i.e. A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT!).
Example: What is the next number in the sequence 6, 13, 20, 27,…
There is more than one correct answer.
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

8. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Inductive Reasoning
Here’s the sequence again 6, 13, 20, 27,…
Look at the difference of each term.
13 – 6 = 7, 20 – 13 = 7, 27 – 20 = 7
Thus the next term is 34, because 34 – 27 = 7.
However what if the sequence represents the dates. Then the next number could be 3 (31 days in a month).
The next number could be 4 (30 day month)
Or it could be 5 (29 day month – Feb. Leap year)
Or even 6 (28 day month – Feb.)
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

9. How Does This Apply to English?
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
How Does This Apply to English?
When you analyze a text, you want to use inductive reasoning. Look at selection of detail, quotes, figurative language, diction, setting, plot, etc. to guide your analysis.
Make comparisons and contrasts. Find trends, patterns, and connections in the text.
Use those details to support your inductively derived thesis statement: a debatable statement that you can now prove!
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

10. Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
English is not the art of making stuff up.
Accidental fallacy, an immature approach: good writers are professionals who choose words on purpose as their career; therefore, we don’t accept that their diction, syntax, figurative language, etc. is accidental, just like we wouldn’t assume that a professional basketball player made a goal on accident.
Analysis breaks down the mechanics of HOW a writer achieves his or her purpose
Analysis is NOT how you feel about a topic or whether you agree with an argument presented in a text. You may even find yourself writing about stuff you don’t know much about, don’t care about, or don’t agree with
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

11. Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
What is interpretation?
meaning inferred by the reader from the text
an interpretive claim, enabled by textual evidence, explained with analysis
What are textual complexities?
layers within a text
sophistication in the stylistic presentation
ambiguity within a text
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

12. Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Textual Evidence
What evidence did the reader present from the text to support the interpretation?
Information from or about the text does not become evidence without an interpretive claim and analysis
Support for the interpretation (evidence)
direct quotation
purposeful paraphrase (vs. simple retelling or summary)
occasionally treated by inference
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

13. Another Way to Look at It: Like the Scientific Method
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Another Way to Look at It: Like the Scientific Method
Make observations (in diction, syntax, figurative language, etc.) on your first reading and use those observations to extrapolate and form a hypothesis.
Continue reading or re-reading and make further observations
If your observations appear to support your hypothesis
If your observations are too insufficient to support your hypothesis
Turn that hypothesis into a thesis and continue to gather supporting evidence
Revise your hypothesis and repeat until you have enough evidence to create and support a thesis
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

14. Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Some Necessary Vocabulary and Clarifications:
Interpretations can range from
thoughtful and well-founded
While Darwin spends his time in the grave damning youthful exuberance, Sexton spends hers soaring through the air on the wings of Icarus emphasizing the wonder of youthfulness and the importance of experience.
well-founded
Darwin looks at Icarus’ death, while Sexton shows his youthfulness.
obvious
Sexton sees Icarus differently than Darwin.
limited
Darwin thinks that Icarus is dumb.
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert

15. Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation
Publish your work:
When you’ve finished your readings and observations, publish your work in a well-supported, articulate, argument
Include multiple pieces of evidence (textual and secondary when appropriate) so others can recreate your findings
If your response is written, properly format (MLA) a paper that includes quotations and citations for your example.
If you’re ever unsure on formatting, attribution, etc. ASK, use your Grimsley Style Guide, or go to Purdue’s Wise Owl
English 12 AP, Mr. Albert