Inductive Reasoning

vs.
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning: drawing conclusions
based on experience and observation.

For example: Jill read a story in English class and

noticed that every sentence began with a capital
letter. She concluded that all sentences must begin
with a capital letter.

Inductive Reasoning takes Specific Events

and Observations and applies them to conclude
General Rules.

KEY WORDS: OBSERVE/NOTICE

Deductive Reasoning: drawing conclusions
based on concrete rules.
For Example: In Language Arts today, Jack learned
that you must begin every sentence with a capital
letter. When Jack wrote his six practices sentences
for homework, he concluded that each one should
begin with a capital letter.

Deductive Reasoning takes General Rules and

applies them to Specific Events.
Examples – Determine whether each scenario’s conclusion is
based on inductive or deductive reasoning.
1. In biology class you learned that one characteristic of
mammals is that they are all warm-blooded. You conclude that
your dog must be warm-blooded. Deductive

2. Every type of fish that you have seen at the aquarium has
been a vertebrate. You conclude that all fish are vertebrates .
Inductive
3. After studying the biographies of the past 30 Pennsylvania
Senators, you observe that each Senator has been older than
36. You conclude that one requirement for being a senator is
that you must be older than 36. Inductive

4. In American Political Systems you learned that one

requirement to be President of the United States is that you
must be a natural born citizen. You conclude that Bill Clinton
is a natural born citizen. Deductive