Explicit vs Implicit Information

Explicit is:

• When the answer is obvious in the text

• When the answer isn't in the text at all

• When the answer is implied in the text

• When the narrator is in first person

Implicit is:

• When the narrator is in first person

• When the answer isn't in the text at all

• When the answer is hidden in the text

• When the answer is obvious in the text

Read the following passage and answer the question:

Maggie was getting ready to walk to school. She put on her coat and grabbed her backpack.

Which of the following is explicitly stated in the paragraph?

• Maggie lives close to the school.

• Maggie put on her coat and grabbed her backpack.

• Maggie is in primary school.

• Maggie is never late to school.

Identify the implicit information in the article below:

Maggie was getting ready to walk to school. She put on her coat and grabbed her backpack.

• Maggie was late to school.

• Maggie lives close to the school.

• Maggie was in primary school.

• Maggie is excited about going to school.

Read the passage below. Identify the explicit information.

Omar hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work. He wore overalls and carried a toolbox with wrenches in it. He hopped in his truck and drove off. The sign on his truck said, “Pipe Masters.”

• Omar hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work.

• Omar enjoys his job.

• Omar is a plumber.

• Omar has a red truck.

Identify the implicit information in the following paragraph.

Omar hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work. He wore overalls and carried a toolbox with wrenches in it. He hopped in his truck and drove off. The sign on his truck said, “Pipe Masters.”

• Omar hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work

• Omar has a red truck.

• Omar is a plumber.

• Omar enjoys his job.

Identify the implicit information.

Ryan was looking forward to sleeping over at his friend Malik's house. Though they had been classmates for a while, the two had only recently become good friends. Ryan packed up his sleeping bag, a pillow, and a few of his favourite toys and games, and then his mam dropped him off at Malik's. Malik met Ryan on the porch and the two did their secret handshake and started playing right away. First they played pirates in Malik's tree fort. Next they played ninjas in the driveway. Then it started getting dark and they went inside of Milak's house. As soon as they walked in the house, Ryan's eyes starting getting red and itchy. He saw a big orange cat sitting on the couch. Then he started sneezing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, Milak. It's been a lot of fun, but I have to call my mam."

• Ryan is nervous about spending the night.

• Ryan packed up his sleeping bag, a pillow, and a few of his favourite toys and games.

• Ryan is allergic to cats.

• Ryan and Robert had a secret handshake.

Identify the explicit information.

Ryan was looking forward to sleeping over at his friend Malik's house. Though they had been classmates for a while, the two had only recently become good friends. Ryan packed up his sleeping bag, a pillow, and a few of his favourite toys and games, and then his mam dropped him off at Malik's. Malik met Ryan on the porch and the two did their secret handshake and started playing right away. First they played pirates in Malik's tree fort. Next they played ninjas in the driveway. Then it started getting dark and they went inside of Milak's house. As soon as they walked in the house, Ryan's eyes starting getting red and itchy. He saw a big orange cat sitting on the couch. Then he started sneezing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, Milak. It's been a lot of fun, but I have to call my mam."

• Ryan is scared of cats.

• Ryan was looking forward to spending the night at his friend Robert's house.

• Ryan is allergic to cats.

• Ryan is homesick.

When something is implicit then the reader can go back and find the information directly in the story.

• True

• False

Fahara wants to buy a new smart phone but she doesn't have the money. Which question from the list below would be considered explicit?

• Why does she need a new phone?

• How is Fahara going to raise the money?

• Why can't Fahara buy the smart phone?

• Where does she plan to buy the phone?