Making Inferences

Making Inferences

by Ms. Colvin

​What is an Inference?

An inference is the process of drawing a conclusion based on the evidence available and ​previous knowledge and experience.

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To simplify, when we make inferences we use evidence and our own knowledge to come to a conclusion.

​INFERENCE = EVIDENCE + KNOWLEDGE

​Reading Between the Lines

​Authors rarely state things clearly for readers. We need to be able to make inferences--read between the lines--to determine the themes and central ideas of a text.

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​When we infer, we can look at these things:

• Tone of the Author​

• Quotes

• ​Figurative Language

• ​​Our knowledge of the Subject

Multiple Choice

​You're talking to a friend, Linda, about a movie that just came out. You already know that the movie is a romantic comedy and that Linda LOVES "Rom-Coms." You also know that Linda has a crush on the lead actor. When you ask if Linda enjoyed the movie, what can you infer that her answer will be?

• She hated it

• She thought it was boring

• She loved it

​Tone & Mood

​Tone is the author's attitude about their subject. Mood is how the text makes the reader feel. Readers can use tone and mood to make inferences about the text.

Multiple Choice

You read a article about lightning in the Tampa Bay area that has this picture. What can you infer about the author's tone towards lightning?

• They think lightning is fun and/or harmless.

• They think lightning is bad and/or dangerous.

• They think lightning is pretty and/or magnificent.

• They think lightning is misunderstood.

​Quotations

​Readers can also look at quotations that are used in a text to make an inference.

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For example, if you're reading a poem about leaves that has this quote: "spades take up leaves no better than spoons," you can infer that the author may not like gathering leaves.

• ​They say the spades are "no better than" spoons with the leaves

• ​You know that it would be hard to pick up leaves with a spoon

• ​This means that the author may be frustrated with their spade

Multiple Choice

In this section of the poem "Spring Break" what can we infer about the author's overall based on how she describes the clouds?

• She's upset and thinks the clouds are ugly.

• She's sad and thinks the clouds are gloomy.

• She's calm and thinks the clouds are nice.

​Using Figurative Language

​Figurative language is non-literal language that is used to make an impact. The main types of figurative language are alliteration, hyperbole, idiom, metaphor, onomatopoeia, simile, personification, and imagery.

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We can look at how figurative language is used to help us make inferences.

Multiple Choice

Look at the imagery in this photograph. What can you infer about the tone (how the photographer feels)?

• The tone is calm and happy because the photo has sunshine and bright colors.

• The tone is angry because the photo uses dark colors.

• The tone is sad because there is no color in this photograph.

​Knowledge

​When reading a text, readers use what they already know about a topic to make inferences. For example, if a reader has had to gather leaves before then they can use that experience to infer how the author of the poem "Gathering Leaves" feels.

Why do Inferences Matter​?

​Making inferences is important in Language Arts, but it's also an important skill for Math and Science classes. This is because when we make inferences, we:

• ​Look at evidence

• ​Consider what we know

• ​Apply evidence and knowledge

Multiple Choice

What can we infer about the younger girl from this photo?

• She's terrified about skateboarding.

• She's upset that she's being forced to skateboard.

• She's excited to learn to skateboard

Multiple Choice

What can we infer about the organization's views on climate change?

• They don't think it's a big deal.

• They think it's very bad.

• They think it's a good thing.

Multiple Choice

Based on the figurative language in this poem, what can we infer about how the poet feels about dreams?

• Losing our dreams has a negative effect on us.

• Losing our dreams helps us to grow as individuals.

• Losing our dreams is not a big deal.

Multiple Select

CHOOSE MORE THAN ONE: What can we use to make inferences?

• Imagery

• Quotes

• What we Know

• Tone

The End​