DRAWING INFERENCES What is An Inference? An inference is a logical conclusion based on the facts written in a text. When you read, you draw inferences or make conclusions based on what you read. The conclusion may not be stated in the text, but from what the writing tells the reader, the reader infers what is meant. You can use… 1. facts and details written in the text 2. your background knowledge: what you have learned already 3. what you have learned from your personal experiences …when drawing inferences while reading. A fact may not be clearly stated in a text, but you can INFER that the fact is true by reading the facts and clues the author writes in the text. When you make an inference, you make your best guess about: • what happened in a story • why something happened in the story • what is going to happen next in a story Example: It was 6:00 PM. Matt set the table. He was sure to give everyone a plate, fork, spoon, knife, napkin, and a glass. His Mom called Matt and the rest of the family to the table. What can we infer after reading this paragraph? We can infer that Matt and his family are about to eat dinner. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.