1. Chapter 7: Inference Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith
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Read
Pg. 352/ 338 & 353/339
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3. Details + Knowledge/Experience= Inference
What is an inference?
Details + Knowledge/Experience= Inference
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4. Inferential level deals with:
What Is An Inference?
Inferential level deals with:
Motives
Feelings
Judgements
Suggestion
artistic
creative
entertaining
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Implied Humor
Pg. 355/341
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Who is the smartest?
A student annotating items on a computer printout.
A student with earphones listening an Ipod.
A student talking with classmates about American Idol.
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7. In a small town of the 1940’s you’d hear a discussion about?
Movies
Cinema
Picture Show
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8. Who earns the most money?
A businessperson in a dark suit, white shirt, & tie.
A businessperson in slacks and a polo.
A businessperson in a pale-blue uniform.
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Esmerelda is skinny. Esmerelda is slim or slender.
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Connotation of Words
Denotation is the specific meaning of a word. (Dictionary)
Connotation refers to the feeling or emotionalism surrounding a word.
(Ex: skinny communicates a negative feeling).
(Ex: slender or slim communicates a positive feeling).
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Issue b. Problem
a. Loneliness b. Independence
Tolerant b. Pushover
a . Difficult b. Challenging
a. Pale b. fair
p. 358/ /345
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12. Euphemisms and Politically Correct Language
A euphemism is a substitution of a harsh term for one more polite. Example: “He passed away” instead of “He died.”
Politically correct language or doublespeak is used to hide something unpleasant. Example: Using “collateral damage” instead of “civilian casualties.”
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I have bubble guts.
She is handicapped.
He is fat.
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14. Figurative Language
Figurative language comparisons that are not literally true.
(Ex: “She worked like a dog”)
Idioms
Similes
Metaphors
Literary Analogies
Hyperbole or Overstatement
Personification
Verbal Irony
Pg. 347

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Idioms
Idioms are expressions that do not make literal sense but have taken on a new generally accepted meaning over many years of use.
(Ex: his eyes were bigger than his stomach)
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Similes
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as.
(Ex: the spring flower pushed up its bloom like a lighthouse beckoning on a gloomy night.)
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Metaphors
A metaphor is a direct comparison of two unlike things (without using like or as).
(Ex: The corporate accountant is a computer from nine to five.)
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Literary Analogy
A literary analogy is a comparison of two unlike things that can be a simile or a metaphor.
Example: “Time is like a river.”
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Hyperbole
Hyperbole or overstatement is an exaggeration to describe something as being more than it actually is.
An understatement minimizes the point.
Example of hyperbole: I could sleep for twenty days and nights and still be tired.
Example of understatement: His clothes have seen better days.
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Personification
Personification is attributing human characteristics to non-human things.
Example: The birds speak from the forest.
Example: Time marches on.
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Verbal Irony
Verbal irony is the use of words to express a meaning that is the opposite of what is literally said.
If the intent is to hurt, the irony is called sarcasm.
Example: “What a great looking corporate outfit!” (said to someone wearing torn jeans).
Example: “There is nothing like a sunny day for a picnic” (said on a day of pouring rain).
p. 363
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22. Figurative Language
Definition
Example
Simile
Compares two unlike things using like or as
He is as dumb as a doorknob.
Metaphor
Compares using is, are, was, were
Usain Bolt is a cheetah on the track.
Personification
Give human characteristics to a nonhuman object.
The sun beat down back all the way to the park.
Idioms
The literary meaning is not true. The phrase has an accepted meaning over time.
After we got on the babysitter’s nerves, she told us to, “go play in traffic”.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration.
She is so thin, she can hula hoop in a cheerio.

23. Example
Fear knocked on my door, but I was afraid to answer

24. His feet were big as boats. Her hair was like Rapunzel’s.
Hit the books
Give me a hand
His feet were big as boats.
Her hair was like Rapunzel’s.
I nearly died laughing
I was hopping mad
I tried a thousand times
Pg. 349

25. Figurative Language in Poetry
In poetry, the language is often condensed and uses figurative language.
Read the poem several times, at least one time out loud.
Visualize what you read.
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26. Figurative Language in Poetry
Example:
Campfire extinguished
The woman washing dishes
In a pan of stars
Explanation: When all light is extinguished outside, the stars are so bright that they illuminate the pan for washing.
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Inferences From Facts
The author selects facts.
No direct connection is stated.
The reader must figure out the suggested message.
p. 370/354
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Example of Inferences
Fact 1: The population of all European Union countries combined grew by 343,000 last year.
Fact 2: The population of India grew in the first week of 2001 by 343,000.
The inference is that India’s population is increasing at an alarming rate.
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29. Inferences About a Speaker or Narrator
Sometimes we can figure out who the speaker or narrator is by the way they explain something or by their dialogue.
Example: Children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority. They show disrespect for elders. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, cross their legs and tyrannize their teachers.
(written by Greek philosopher Plato about 2,300 years ago)

30. Inferences Based on Action, Dialogue and Description
Inferences Based on Description of a Person/Place
Inferences Based on Action
Inferences Based on Dialogue
See pages for examples of these types of inferences.
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Types of Inferences
Inference from actions
Inference from factual material
Inferences from description
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32. Using Prior Knowledge to Make Inferences
Prior knowledge is expected.
Details help you infer time.
Details help you infer place.
Pg. 360

33. Reader’s Tip: Making Inferences
Consider the attitude in the author’s choice of words.
Unravel actions.
Interpret motives.
Use suggested meaning and facts to make assumptions.
Draw on prior knowledge to make connections.
Base conclusions on stated ideas and unstated assumptions.
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Drawing Conclusions
Make a logical deduction from both stated and unstated ideas.
Use hints as well as the facts.
Rely on prior knowledge and experience to interpret motives, actions, and outcomes.
p. 378/362
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35. Summary Points/ Metacognition Check
What is an inference?
What is the connotation of a word?
What is figurative language?
Why is prior knowledge needed to grasp implied meaning?
How does a reader draw conclusions?
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