Textual Evidence and Inferences Lesson

Making Inference - Text Evidence

Why should you include text evidence?

• No matter if you are making inferences or predictions, textual evidence is extremely important! Just like in the argument paper, you need FACTS to back up your statements. It makes you more credible.

• Also, it helps Ms. Lopez see where you are coming from which makes you more likely to demonstrate your skills and get a higher level!

Text evidence for PREDICTIONS

• Always answer the question: what happens in the text that makes you think your statement will happen in the future?

• TEXT: Linda is retiring at the end of the year. She is excited about taking some time for herself and not being in the office all day long. Linda loves the outdoors and enjoys warm weather.

• PREDICTION: Linda is going to take a trip down south after she retires.

• EVIDENCE: What happened in the text to make me think this? The text says Linda "enjoys warm weather" and wants to take "time for herself".

Open Ended

What prediction can you make based on the following story?

*George is carefully packing up the car. He always forgets something during long trips, but he is sticking to the checklist. The sleeping bag, tent, and bathroom bag are already in the trunk, ready for the camping trip. George can't wait to sit by the fire and read his book while listening to the sounds of nature around him.

Multiple Choice

Which is a PREDICTION based on the text evidence?

*Erika is starting her own business. She enjoys creating natural products and hopes others appreciate the love she puts into them. She even personalizes each order to show her original customers how much she is encouraged by their patronage.

• Erika will go to a conference.

• Erika loves her original customers.

• Erika will keep growing her business.

• Erika is a great entrepreneur.

Why is "Erika will keep growing her business." the prediction BASED on text evidence?

• "Erika loves her original customers." is an inference. You can infer she loves her customers because she writes them personalized notes. It is also written in PRESENT tense.

• "Erika is a great entrepreneur." is also an inference. The text explains what she is doing to make her business successful, and the statement is also written in PRESENT tense.

• "Erika will go to a conference." This IS a prediction. However, nothing in the text SUPPORTS the idea that Erika will attend a conference of any sort.

Multiple Select

Choose ALL the predictions that could happen based on the following evidence.

*Matt opened his thin Amazon package. He had forgotten what he ordered, so this was like getting a gift. He vaguely remembered seeing a few shirts he liked, but he didn't know what size to order. Matt also needed shavers and shaving cream. Or maybe he finally bought the art pad he had been eyeing.

• Matt will have bought a plant.

• Matt will have bought an art pad.

• Matt is forgetful.

• Matt spends too much money.

Text evidence for INFERENCES

• Always go BEYOND what the text says. Think about: what can I assume is true based on what the author tells me?

• TEXT: Linda is retiring at the end of the year. She is excited about taking some time for herself and not being in the office all day long. Linda loves the outdoors and enjoys warm weather.

• INFERENCE: Linda is an active person.

• EVIDENCE: Why do assume this statement is true? The text says Linda does not like "being in the office all day long". And most people who love the outdoors (especially warm weather) enjoy physical activities such as hiking, biking, walking, water sports, etc.

Multiple Choice

What inference can be made based on the following evidence?

*Harold has his hood up today. Instead of smiling at people in the hallway, his eyes are downcast. He hasn't said hi to any of his classmates or shouted out answers like usual.

• This shows Harold is upset.

• This shows Harold is hard-working.

• This shows Harold is always emotional.

• This shows Harold is an athlete.

Why is this statement the correct inference? "This shows Harold is upset."

• The text describes Harold as actively avoiding human contact.

• It also compares it to his usual behavior - answering questions, smiling, saying hi to others.

• The other inferences do not match what the evidence says:

• *Harold might shout out answers, but does that automatically mean he works hard? Or just likes to share his thoughts?

• *Harold is usually friendly, but does that mean is ALWAYS emotional?

• *Nothing in the evidence suggests athletics or Harold being active.

Open Ended

What inference can you make based on this text evidence? Make sure to PHRASE it with evidence and inference sentence starters.

*Deanna is up for employee of the month. She shows up to her shifts 10 minutes before she is expected. She helps out her waiter/waitress employees even though she is the manager. Deanna often stays after hours to help clean up or do minor tasks so everyone get out early.

Text evidence for QUESTIONS

• Don't forget to include evidence to support your answers for explicit AND inferential questions.

• It is hard for explicit questions because people assume a general answer is good enough for text evidence but it is NOT.

• TEXT: Linda is retiring at the end of the year. She is excited about taking some time for herself and not being in the office all day long. Linda loves the outdoors and enjoys warm weather.

• QUESTION: Why is Linda happy she is retiring?

• ANSWER AND EVIDENCE: Linda is happy she is retiring because she can take "time for herself" and would rather be outside in the "warm weather" than "in the office all day long".

Multiple Select

Why is Terrance going to Mayville in the fall?

*I am excited for college! I think it is going to be a great experience. All my friends even said, "Mayville is the perfect place for Terry!" It is a small environment where I can get the help I need right away. It's also a small town (which I'm used to), but it is still close to a big city.

• He is "excited for college".

• He can get help "right away" because it is a "small environment".

• Mayville is "close to a big city".

• His friends are also attending Mayville.

Text evidence for QUESTIONS

• Don't forget to include evidence to support your answers for explicit AND inferential questions.

• Even though the answers is not IN the text, inferential questions can still use the text to support the answer.

• TEXT: Linda is retiring at the end of the year. She is excited about taking some time for herself and not being in the office all day long. Linda loves the outdoors and enjoys warm weather.

• QUESTION: Why is Linda retiring?

• ANSWER AND EVIDENCE: Linda is retiring because she can take "time for herself" and would rather be outside in the "warm weather" than "in the office all day long".

Open Ended

Why do friends think Mayville is the "perfect place" for Terry?

*I am excited for college! I think it is going to be a great experience. All my friends even said, "Mayville is the perfect place for Terry!" It is a small environment where I can get the help I need right away. It's also a small town (which I'm used to), but it is still close to a big city.