chapter 6 inferences
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 6 INFERENCE When we infer, we draw conclusions based on :
1. 1. the information in front us
2. 2. our background knowledge. (Video: Inferences)
MAKING CONNECTIONS
1. Nouns and Pronouns � He, She, It, We, They, Them
� This, That and Which
2. General Category Substitutes
-Sometimes single words replace single words
3. Substitute by Association
-Sometimes writers use associated words to represent the topic
4. Inferring the Main Idea
-Sometimes writer expect you to infer the topic or main idea.
EXAMPLES
Nouns and Pronouns General Category Substitutes
EXAMPLES
Substitute by Association Inferring the Main Idea
LOGICAL AND ILLOGICAL INFERENCES
� Inferences must rely heavily on what the author has written.
� Consider alternatives.
� You must be careful not to put too much of your own background knowledge before the author’s actual statements, or you may end up with an illogical inference.
� (Video: Car commercial)
LOGICAL VS. ILLOGICAL
Logical Inferences Illogical Inferences
� 1. are solidly grounded in, or based on, specific statement.
� 2. are not contradicted by any statements made in the passage.
� 3. rely more heavily on the author’s words than on the reader’s background knowledge or common sense.
� 1. do not follow from the author’s actual statements.
� 2. are contradicted by the author.
� 3. rely too heavily on the reader’s personal experience or general knowledge rather than on the author’s words.
BRIDGING INFERENCES
� A bridging inference is an inference that is necessary to connect sentences (or major/minor details) in a paragraph or multiple paragraphs.
� Example:
� Recently, charter schools have come under criticism. Administrators have been accused of accepting only the best students in order to make sure their test scores remain high.
GUIDELINES FOR INFERENCES
� Evidence + Schema = Inference
� Evidence (What the text tells me.) + � Schema (My background knowledge.) =
� Inference (What I think.)