© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Chapter 11: Reading and Thinking Critically Essential Reading Skills Third Edition Kathleen McWhorter

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Inference An inference is an educated guess or prediction about something unknown based on available facts and information. It is the logical connection that you draw between what you observe or know and what you do not know.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Inference Example A man seated alone in a restaurant nervously glances at everyone who enters. Every few minutes he checks his watch. What can you infer?

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. How to Make Inferences 1.Understand the literal meaning. 2.Notice details. 3.Add up the facts. 4.Look at the writer’s choice of words. 5.Understand the writer’s purpose. 6.Check your inferences against the facts.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Writer’s Clues Descriptive details. Action details. Conversation details. Word choice.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Understanding a Writer’s Purpose 1.Inform 2.Persuade 3.Amuse 4.Give Instructions

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Style & Intended Audience Some Characteristics: uses many examples uses long, complicated sentences uses informal word choice uses technical language Intended Audiences: news magazines professional journals newspapers children’s books retirement news letters textbooks Writers have unique characteristics.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Denotation Denotation: The meaning stated in the dictionary; its literal meaning

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Connotation Connotation: The additional implied meanings that a word may take on. It can carry either a positive or negative, favorable or unfavorable, impression.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Connotative Meanings Slim or Skinny Intelligent or Brainy Heavy or Fat Particular or Picky

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Tone: Attitude or Feeling a Writer Expresses Instructive Sympathetic Persuasive Humorous Sentimental Angry Impersonal Casual See Table 11.1 for more examples of words to describe tone.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Distinguishing Facts and Opinion Facts are statements that can be verified. Facts can be proven true or false. Facts are objective.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Example of Fact Greenpeace is an organization dedicated to preserving the sea and its animals. (You can check this by reading its mission statement or “About Us” on its Web site.)

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Distinguishing Facts and Opinion Opinions are statements that express a writer’s feelings, attitudes, or beliefs. They are neither true or false.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Example of Opinion “My car payments are too expensive.” (Others may disagree with you, especially the company that sold you the car or another person who is paying more than you are.)

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Judgment Words (Interpreting, Evaluating, Expressing Feeling) Bad Worse Good Better Best Worthless Disgusting Amazing Wonderful Lovely

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Test-Taking Tip #11: Critical Reading Questions Use the information contained in the passage. Look for inferences by adding up the facts. For tone, ask, “How does the author feel towards his or her subject?” Watch for connotative language and emotional meanings.

© 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman Publishers. Test-Taking Tip #11: Critical Reading Questions For purpose, ask, “What does the writer intend to accomplish by writing this?” Questions about intended audience are often worded, “This passage is written for….” or “This passage is intended to appeal to….”

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