Inferring
Inferring involves informed conjecture, deduction and reasoning (Read, Record, Respond). Authors don't always spell everything out, and so it is left to the reader to 'read between the lines.' Some texts require readers to draw inferences more than others. Some inferences are trivial, whilst others are essential to understanding the message of the text. Whether a reader is able to draw these inferences, largely depends on their prior knowledge, but it will also be influenced by their familiarity with the author's language and style, as well as their emotions and opinions on the topic.
This again highlights the importance of suitability of text. If readers cannot draw the intended inferences, they will miss the author's message and may be left confused, gaining no satisfaction in reading.
This again highlights the importance of suitability of text. If readers cannot draw the intended inferences, they will miss the author's message and may be left confused, gaining no satisfaction in reading.
Questions and ideas for the Classroom
- Draw meaning from the pictures - Draw meaning from the title and sub-headings - Draw meaning from the text type - Look for contextual clues - Look at the words before and after in the sentence - "How do you think the character is feeling?" - "What is you opinion?" - "What would you do?" - "What do we know about this topic or this text?" - "What does the author tell us?" |
Poetry can sometimes serve as a good opportunity for students to think about the inferences we draw to find meaning......
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Further Resources
https://www.tcdsb.org/schools/bishopmarroccothomasmerton/literacy/Lists/Resources/Attachments/10/MakingInferencesCopy.pdf
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/literacy/files/links/Interpreting_by_Making_Inf.pdf
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000004
http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/Inferences%20handout%20by%20Deb%20Smith.pdf
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/literacy/files/links/Interpreting_by_Making_Inf.pdf
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000004
http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/Inferences%20handout%20by%20Deb%20Smith.pdf