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making inferences
What is an inference?
Skill 02-Inference
• An inference is a conclusion you reach by applying logic to the evidence you are
given.
• It is reading between the lines and looking for the implied meaning in words
and actions.
• Inferences tend to reflect prior knowledge and experience as well as personal
beliefs and assumptions.
• For example:
– We infer people are thirsty if they ask for a glass of water.
– We infer it is raining when we see someone with an open umbrella.
• Note: with different knowledge/experience, one may infer differently on
those situations.
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inference?
• It will help a reader learn, remember, and apply
what he/she has read.
• It will encourage more critical reading and better
understanding and enjoyment of the text.
• Successful inferring leads to better overall
comprehension.
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Example:
What can you infer about each situation?
1. You see a woman pushing a baby stroller down the
street.
2. You are at a corner and see two cars stopped at an
intersection. The rear car starts honking its horn.
3. You are walking down the street, and all of a
sudden a dog comes running out of an opened
door with its tail between its legs.
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Explanation:
For the first example, you probably came up with
something simple, such as that there was a baby in the
stroller. For the second, you could infer that the first car
should have started moving or was waiting too long at the
corner and holding up the second car. For the third, you
could reasonably guess that the dog had done something
wrong and was afraid of being punished. You do not know
for certain that these inferences are true.
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Conclusion
• Observation is what you see but inference is what you figure out,
▫ Deductive inference
▫ Inductive inference
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