Using Inference

Sometimes someone will try to tell you something without coming right out and saying it. He will imply it. When you understand what is implied, you infer. Sometimes you can infer the truth even when the speaker or writer isn’t trying to be helpful. That’s called “reading between the lines.”

When reading always try and make a connection.

• A reader should think about things he has read that has similar information. Maybe the story is somewhat the same. Maybe the characters act the same way. Or maybe the information is VERY different. Or the characters did the exact OPPOSITE of the character in the book that is being read. These are called TEXT to TEXT connections.
• A second type of connection is when the book or article is something that the reader has felt or seen. The reader is familiar with the thing, feeling, or situation because he or she has experienced this first hand. The reader KNOWS exactly what the author is trying to say. This is called a TEXT to SELF connection.
• A third type of connection is when the information or story has a relationship to the world around the reader. When reading a book about a terrible accident the reader does not have to have first hand knowledge. Yet a wise reader knows from reading the news paper or watching the news that this is a terrible situation. Maybe there is a big fire and the reader knows of a large fire in a near by town. He saw the news coverage; he heard adults talking; his uncle is a fire fighter and has told him about his work. This reader understands such a condition even though he has not directly experienced it himself. This is called a TEXT to WORLD connection.

Good readers think about these connections and can EXPLAIN the understanding. It is not enough to say 'Oh, I have a dog too! A good reader thinks about the writing. If the dog is ill in the story, the reader thinks about how much he loves his dog and how terrible it would be if HIS dog were to become ill. The reader may remember a pet that died and how awful it was and how much he cried. A reader may think I never had a pet, but if someone I love becomes ill I know I am upset. Good readers THINK about what is read and try to make a connection.