Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

1. Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions What logical inference or conclusion does the author expect me to make?

2. Definitions • An inference is a logical conclusion that is based on what an author has stated. • A conclusion is a decision, opinion, or judgment reached after thoughtful consideration of material you have read. Inferences and conclusions go beyond what the author has stated, but they are basedon what the author has stated. Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

3. Helpful to Know • Authors sometimes state their important conclusion(s) at the end of a section or chapter. • When authors state their important conclusion, they often introduce it with words and phrases such as Therefore, Thus, In conclusion, Consequently, and The point is. (Note: a stated conclusion is often the main idea as well.) Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

4. The Technique • Read the material carefully. • Ask yourself, “What logical inference or conclusion does the author expect me to make?” • There may be more than one important inference or conclusion to draw. (There will not always be inferences or conclusions to draw, however.) Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

5. The Edge: Pointers from the Coach • Putting information from the paragraph into your own words does not make that information an inference or conclusion. • Imply means to send a message by hinting or suggesting something, without stating it outright. Infer means to “pick up” on and interpret an implied message. Chapter 9: Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions