Making Inferences

1. Reading Strategy # 3 Making Inferences

2. Inference : • A logical conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

3. How can I figure out what the author doesn’t tell me? • Authors don’t always tell us everything so: • Ask “What is the author leaving out that is important to understanding the article?” • Making Inferences is also called Drawing Conclusions or Reading Between the Lines

4. What can I infer about? • Emotions: Tears streamed down her face. • Location: Waves crashed against the shore. • Action: Joe dribbled down the court. • Time/Era: When the porch light burned out, there was total darkness. • Cause/Effect: In the morning, we noticed that the trees were uprooted and homes were missing their rooftops. • Characteristic: Mrs. Martin has so many clothes; she can go a whole month and not wear the same thing. Sometimes she changes at lunch just to show off.

5. #1 • When Pedro finished, he put the book in his backpack and turned on the TV. • What had Pedro done? ______________________________________

6. #2 • As the seat began to swing back and forth, Tom gripped the safety bar tightly and told himself not to look down. • Where is Tom? ______________________________________

7. #3 • Peggy slammed the door shut behind her and stomped down the stairs. • How does Peggy feel? ______________________________________

8. Journal 2/24: Use the picture to make two inferences. Write what you see (observation) and what you know to make your inferences.