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InferenceDefinitionProcessPurpose

Topic: Inference - Open Educational Resources (OER)Audience: English language learnersPublished by: G&R Languages – September, 2013

Images courtesy of ClipArtPhotos courtesy of ClipArt and RZP

Uhmm…

Aha!

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Inference• What is it?• How do we learn about it?• Why is it important?

I don’t get it!

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InferenceWhat is it?• Observation?• Reasoning?• Prediction?

I still don’t get it!

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InferenceIt is NOT

•ObservationIt is NOT

•Prediction

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InferenceObservation: to recognize a fact or occurrencePrediction: to recognize a possible future occurrenceInference: to reason, to make an intelligent guess, to imply

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observation http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/prediction

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InferenceDefinition• Process of reaching a conclusion based on facts or evidence

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference

Aha!

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InferenceConclusion based on factsThis must be either a new pencil or one which has not been used a lot.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference

Fact: a long pencil with an eraser

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InferenceQuestions to discuss• Why do you think this is a new pencil?• What makes you think that it has not been used a lot?

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InferenceConclusion based on facts• This must be either an old pencil or one which has been used a lot.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference

Fact: a small pencil without an eraser

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InferenceQuestions to discuss• Why do you think this is an old pencil?• What makes you think that it has been used a lot?

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InferenceHow do we learn about it?

Observation = what we seeInference = what we imply

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InferenceHow do we learn about it?• It does not come in a box• It is not clearly displayed• It requires you to think• It requires you to deduce

Impl

y!

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InferenceProcess• Observe• Think critically• Propose questions • Draw conclusions

Figure out!

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InferenceObservation• The boy is crying• The boy is hurtInference based on facts• The boy must have fallen

Figure out!

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InferenceObservation• He is tired• The baby is asleepInference based on facts• The baby may have taken a while to fall asleep

Figure out!

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InferencePurpose

Critical thinking

Comprehension

Conclusion

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InferenceIt helps you:Learn to think criticallyReflect on how you thinkRead at a higher levelWrite stronger paragraphs

Figure out! If 2 + Y = 6 Y = 6 – 2 Then Y = 4

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InferenceThink criticallyFigure outImply

Topic: Inference - Open Educational Resources (OER)Audience: English language learnersPublished by: G&R Languages – September, 2013

Thank you!

Images courtesy of ClipArtPhotos courtesy of ClipArt and RZP

References used:Tereza Diaz: Making Inferences with Text -SlideSharehttp://www.slideshare.net/tdiaz4/making-inferences-ppt-lesson Emily Kissner: Making Inferences, Making Meaning -SlideSharehttp://www.slideshare.net/elkissn/making-inferences-5569878