Navigation
Learning how to use clues from the text and personal knowledge to understand what isn't explicitly said.
Have you ever walked into a room, saw a wet umbrella and a dripping raincoat, and knew it was raining outside—even without looking out the window? You just made an inference!
An inference is a conclusion you reach by using clues from the story and things you already know. Authors don't always tell you everything. They leave 'breadcrumbs' for you to find! To be a reading detective, you need to use this formula:
Text Clues are the specific words or actions the author writes. Background Knowledge (also called schema) is the information you already have stored in your brain from your own life experiences.
1. The Text: 'Sam walked into the house, kicked off his boots, and left a trail of brown, wet footprints on the rug.' 2. Background Knowledge: You know that rain or melting snow makes dirt turn into mud, and mud leaves tracks. 3. The Inference: Sam was outside in a place that was wet or muddy.
Quick Check
If the text says 'The girl blew out the candles and everyone cheered,' what can you infer is happening?
Answer
It is a birthday party.
Your brain is like a giant filing cabinet. Every time you learn something new or go somewhere, you add a new file. When you read, you must open those Brain Files to understand the story. If a character is 'shivering and seeing their breath,' you don't need the author to say it is cold. Your 'Winter File' tells you that shivering happens when the temperature drops!
1. The Text: 'Leo's stomach growled loudly. He stared at the last slice of pizza on the counter, then looked at his empty plate and sighed.' 2. The Clues: Stomach growling + staring at food + empty plate. 3. The Inference: Leo is still hungry and wants that last piece of pizza.
Quick Check
If a character 'slams their book shut and stomps out of the room,' how are they feeling?
Answer
They are angry or frustrated.
A prediction is a special type of inference. It is a guess about what will happen next. To make a great prediction, look at the character's traits (how they usually act) and the current setting. If a character who is usually very brave starts trembling while looking at a dark cave, you can predict they might decide not to go inside, or they will need help to enter.
1. The Scenario: 'The sky turned dark gray, and a loud boom of thunder echoed. Maya was at the starting line of her track meet. The wind began to blow the flags sideways.' 2. The Clues: Dark sky, thunder, heavy wind. 3. The Prediction: The track meet will likely be canceled or delayed because a storm is starting.
What is the 'formula' for making an inference?
If a character is 'yawning and rubbing their eyes,' what can you infer?
A prediction is a guess about what will happen next in a story.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the 'Reading Detective Formula' to a friend or family member.
Practice Activity
Tonight, look at someone's shoes near the door. Use the clues (mud, grass, salt, or dryness) to infer where they have been today!