1. Making Inferences
Reading Strategy # 4

2. Inference :
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
You make an inference when you use clues from a story to figure out something that the author doesn’t tell you.

3. How can I figure out what the author doesn’t tell me?
Use clues
Use what you already know
Ask “What is the author leaving out that is important to understanding the article?”
Ask “What do I already know about something like this?”

4. #1
When Pedro finished, he put the book in his backpack and turned on the TV.
What had Pedro done? ______________________________________

5. #2
As the seat began to swing back and forth, Tom gripped the safety bar tightly and told himself not to look down.
Where is Tom? _______________________________________

6. #3 Peggy slammed the door shut behind her and stomped down the stairs.
How does Peggy feel? _______________________________________

7. Read this story. Use story clues and what you already know to make inferences
Valerie opened up the letter from the military department. She felt the pit of her stomach drop to the bottom of the earth before she even opened it. She knew it was news about John. As she read the first line, she thought of all of the lunches she had packed him and all the nights she tucked him in his bed and warded off the nighttime monsters. The man carrying the flag put his hand on her shoulder. She thought of the day that John signed up for the military. Her tears wet the letter. She stopped reading after the first line.

8. Valerie opened up the letter from the military department
Valerie opened up the letter from the military department. She felt the pit of her stomach drop to the bottom of the earth before she even opened it. She knew it was news about John. As she read the first line, she thought of all of the lunches she had packed him and all the nights she tucked him in his bed and warded off the nighttime monsters. The man carrying the flag put his hand on her shoulder. She thought of the day that John signed up for the military. Her tears wet the letter. She stopped reading after the first line.
CLUE: This sentence gives clues about their relationship.
CLUES: There are a variety of clues that tell you what the letter said.
BACKGROUND: You may also have background knowledge about when people receive letters from the military or flags.

9. Vocabulary En = Ex = to put in/on, (engulf, endanger)
bring to, (enlighten)
intensify (entangle, enrage)
Ex =
out (exit, exclude, expand)
upward (exalt, extol)
complete (excruciate, exasperate)
previous (ex-wife)