Making Inferences in Literary Texts

Making an ______________________ while reading is when you infer to come to a reasonable conclusion based on evidence found in the literary text. (RL1)

• Inference

• Theme

• Metaphor

• Simile

_____________ texts are passages that are stories, dramas, or poems. (RL1)

• Literary

• Informative

• Spelling

• Math

What statement about inferencing is CORRECT?

• An inference is not based on any evidence

• An inference is based only on what the text says

• An inference always turns out to be right

• An inferences requires you to use clues

Why did the boys run home?

• They needed to get more marshmallows.

• It was going to rain and they didn't want to get wet.

• They needed to get a flashlight.

• The boys were afraid of the noise they heard.

_______ + ________ = Inference

• Background knowledge + Clues from the text

• Background knowledge + Opinion

• A guess without evidence + information from the text

Michael and Seth are on their way to Benson State Park. They like to go to the park on weekends during the winter. They like to skate on the frozen lake. Every day, the park ranger checks the ice on the lake. If it is safe to skate, she puts up a sign that says, TODAY THE ICE IS SAFE. If it is not safe to skate, she puts up a sign that says, TODAY THE ICE IS NOT SAFE. Michael and Seth are at the park. They read the sign for today, and then put on their skates.
The reader can conclude that...

• Today is Saturday.

• Today is a safe day for skating.

• The park ranger likes her job.

• Michael and Seth like cold weather.

His mother understood then how Tyerell felt just by looking at him. She saw that he wanted to stay in the house forever because of all the memories he had at this old place. They still had to leave, but she wanted to help her son feel better about what was going to happen in a few days.
The author assumes the reader most likely knows-

• Tyerell is too sentimental and needs to get over it.

• Tyerell & his mom are moving.

• Tyerell's mom is making her son upset on purpose.

• Tyerell & his mom are going on vacation.

What is an Inference?

• A conclusion or judgement based on evidences and our background knowledge.

• Is what the story is about.

• In when you find the similarity between two or more things.

• Is when you compare two or more things using the words like or as.

Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on your reading of the text, you can INFER that:

• Sheepdogs are not very smart dogs.

• Sheepdogs are gentle and loyal.

• There are many breeds of dogs.

• Wolves are afraid of sheepdogs.

When Lucy saw her spelling grade, she kicked her desk and ran out of the classroom.
How is Lucy feeling when she sees her grade?

• Excited

• Sad

• Furious

• Tired