Chapter 5 Making Inferences Reading Across the Disciplines

Chapter 5: Making Inferences Reading Across the Disciplines: College Reading and Beyond, 3/e Kathleen Mc. Whorter © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

In this chapter you will learn how to: ¬Make inferences from given facts and written material. ¬Analyze the process of making inferences. © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

What is an inference? An inference is a reasoned guess about what you don’t know made on the basis of what you do know. © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

How to Make Inferences ¬Understand the literal meaning. ¬Notice details. ¬Add up the facts. ¬Be alert to clues. ¬Consider the author’s purpose. ¬Verify your inference. © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Understand the Literal Meaning Read each paragraph to find the: ¬topic ¬main idea ¬key details ¬organizational pattern © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Notice Details ¬What is unusual or striking about this piece of information? ¬Why is it included here? © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Add Up the Facts ¬What is the writer trying to suggest from this set of facts? ¬What do all these facts and ideas seem to point toward or add up to? ¬Why did the author include these facts and details? © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Be Alert to Clues ¬Word choices ¬Details included and omitted ¬Ideas emphasized ¬Direct commentary © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Consider the Author’s Purpose Knowledge of the author’s purpose helps the reader make inferences. © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

Verify Your Inference ¬Check accuracy of inferences. ¬Check stated facts for sufficient evidence. ¬Check for overlooked inferences. © 2006 Pearson Education Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

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