Inference

Reading and Writing

 What is
Inference
An inference is a
conclusion that has
been reached by way
of evidence and
reasoning.
What is the difference between
observation and inference?
OBSERVATION INFERENCE

inference uses
observation is those
simply something observations to
that you take in make a decision
with your senses about a thing,
person, or event.
 For instance, you might observe a passerby in a hallway
who is carrying an umbrella and leaving wet footprints on
the floor. From these observations, you can infer that the
person was recently outside and that it was raining when
they were outside.
How do you make an inference?

Observation + Prior Clues and Ideas Conclusion

Knowledge
Examples: “I’m excited to go back
home,” said Caleb as
Alex had a frown he pulled several large
on his face and suitcases toward the
was dragging his car. From this
feet as he sentence, you can infer
walked, so you that Caleb has been
can infer that he away from home for
is having a bad some time due to his
day. excitement and the
number of suitcases
he’s carrying.
What is an Inference in
Reading
You’re making a guess about
what you don’t know based
on the information available
—basically, you’re reading
between the lines.
 Use your prior knowledge and textual
information to draw conclusions, make
critical judgments, and form
interpretations of the text.

Inferences can occur in the form of

conclusions, predictions, or new ideas.
2 Main Uses of Making
Inference When
Reading a Text
1. Making Predictions
JOHN SAID, "WHATEVER YOU
DO, DON'T GO TO THE
BASEMENT."
1. Some characters are
probably going to the
basement.
2. There is likely something
bad or forbidden in the
basement.
2. Guessing Word Meanings
SHE WAS GREGARIOUS, FOUND
ALWAYS AT A PARTY OR ANOTHER
AROUND TOWN AND SURROUNDED BY
LAUGHING PEOPLE.

1. sociable; fond of the

company of others
What is an Inference in
Writing
 Try this: practice writing a paragraph
describing something you’re familiar with
—without explicitly stating what it is.
 Your writing is much more creative and
engaging than it would have been if you
simply stated what it was you were
talking about. You have to work hard to
describe the things you’re familiar with
in new words and phrases, and that
makes your writing more interesting.
 Half a dozen students huddled at the
end of the street. It was 7:00 a.m., just
moments before the bus was supposed
to arrive, and the street light spilled
around them in a pool of light. They
shuffled back and forth to keep warm,
rubbing their hands together and
stamping their feet against the frozen
pavement.

What season is described in this piece of writing?

 To sum up, understanding inference
can enrich your reading by helping you
read between the lines for the author’s
intent. It can also enrich your writing
by helping you paint vivid pictures
without stating the facts directly.