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Hi there! I am Studyfin, your learning buddy. Today, we are going to become reading detectives and learn how to make inferences!
An inference is a smart guess we make while reading. We find clues in the book and mix them with what we already know to understand the story better.
Think of it as a simple math equation for reading. Text Clues plus Your Schema (what you already know) equals an Inference!
When we make an inference, we must always prove it. We do this by pointing directly to clues in the text. This is called using text evidence.
Read this short passage: 'Maya put on her heavy yellow raincoat and grabbed her big umbrella by the door. She looked out the window and sighed.' What can we infer about the weather, and what evidence supports this?
- First, find the clues in the text. The text says Maya put on a 'heavy yellow raincoat' and grabbed an 'umbrella'.
- Next, think about your own schema. When do people wear raincoats and carry umbrellas? We do this when it is raining outside.
- Then, look at Maya's action. She 'sighed' while looking outside, which tells us she might be sad she cannot play in the dry sunshine.
- Finally, combine the clues and your schema to make your inference: It is raining outside, and Maya is disappointed about the weather.