1. INFERENCE: Reading Between the Lines

2. *Read the following super short story by Richard Brautigan:
“It’s hard to live in a studio apartment in San Jose with a man who’s learning to play the violin.” That’s what she told the police when she handed them the empty revolver.

3. Inference: Reading Between the Lines
Using the clues in the story, what do you think has happened?
Why did it happen?

4. STEPS TO MAKING INFERENCES: Reading Between the Lines
Step 1: First, Understand the Literal Meaning
What facts did the story actually give you?
Step 2: Notice the Details
What are the details in the story?
What background knowledge about the details is the author counting on the reader bringing to the story? (What is a studio apartment or a revolver?)

5. Step 4: Be Alert to Clues and Evidence
Step 3: Add Up the Facts
What is the possible relationship in the story between the violin player and the woman?
Why are the police involved?
Step 4: Be Alert to Clues and Evidence
What are some other clues the author provides us as to what has just happened in the story?
studio apartment, San Jose, empty revolver, etc.

6. Utilizing Life/Background Knowledge Based on Clues in the reading:
What would it be like to live with someone who is just learning how to play the violin?

7. Step 5: Author’s Purpose and Intended Audience
What is the author’s purpose in writing this story?
Who is the author’s intended audience?
Step 6: Verify That Your Inference is
Accurate
Make sure you don’t skip any steps!

8. Review: Steps to Making Inferences: Reading Between the Lines
Step 1 First, understand the literal meaning. Step 2 Notice the details Step 3 Add up the facts. Step 4 Be alert to clues and evidence. Step 5 Consider the author’s purpose and the author’s intended audience. Step 6 Verify that your inference is accurate. (Make sure you don’t skip any steps!)

9. One Last Thought…
Based on the evidence in the story, and based on your previous inference about what has happened in the story, what do you think will happen next?

10. Any Questions?
PowerPoint created by Baily Rodriguez and Dawna Upshaw, INRW Instructors at Northwest Vista College May be used for educational purposes.
Cartoons are courtesy of CartoonStock Ltd. for educational purposes only.