Inferring
Writers often tell you more than they say directly. They give you hints or clues that help you "read between the lines." Using these clues to give you a deeper understanding of your reading is called inferring.
Inference is using facts, observations, and logic or reasoning to come to an assumption or conclusion. It is not stating the obvious.
stating the obvious: that girl is wearing a fancy dress and carrying a bouquet of flowers.
inference: that girl is a flower girl in a wedding.
Inferring is not the same as predicting.
Inference asks "What conclusions can you draw about what is happening now?" Prediction asks, "What will happen next?"
Inference is using facts, observations, and logic or reasoning to come to an assumption or conclusion. It is not stating the obvious.
stating the obvious: that girl is wearing a fancy dress and carrying a bouquet of flowers.
inference: that girl is a flower girl in a wedding.
Inferring is not the same as predicting.
Inference asks "What conclusions can you draw about what is happening now?" Prediction asks, "What will happen next?"
As an exercise in Inference watch the following short film. What kind of character is Buck Bunny? What kind of character is the flying squirrle? Look for clues and write down specific actions or gestures that build understanding.
What kind of relationship do the cloud and the stork have? How does cloud feel about his job? How does the stork feel?
After watching the video... Why did cloud have such a strong reaction? Where you surprised that stork returned? What clues did you see that showed that stork really cared about cloud?
When we are using our 'powers of inference'' it is like being a detective, we are looking for clues about character, motivation and a deeper understanding of what is going on.
Check out these stories and sharpen you inference skill by solving these 2 minute mysteries.
Flowers by Alice Walker
Flowers is a deceptively simple story that is chalked full of meaning. before reading the story, you may want to find some clues by reading about the author alice walker.
