 Objective:
Writers explain information to readers, but they can't write
everything related to their topic. Sometimes readers figure
out additional details from the facts presented in the informational
text. In this way, the reader is actively involved with the
information presented. The reader might make an educated
guess or an inference, or might
draw a conclusion based on the information in
the text. Making predictions about the topic,
the situation, or what might happen next is also a characteristic
of an effective reader.
By the time this lesson is finished, you'll have tools to
help you make inferences and predictions from an informational
passage. In this lesson you will:
-
Review the meaning of an inference
and a prediction,
-
Identify reading strategies to help
make inferences and predictions,
-
Practice making inferences and
drawing conclusions from informational passages,
-
Practice making predictions from
informational passages,
-
Score and evaluate
your answers.
Vocabulary:
The following words will be used in this lesson. They might
be quite familiar to you, or you might want some review. For
review, just click the Tools button and open Vocabulary.
- Inference/Infer
- Conclusion/Conclude
- Prediction/Predict
Tips and
Tools:
What is an inference?
|
An inference is . . .
-
a conclusion that can be figured
out from data, facts, or other information in a text,
-
a smart guess, or an educated
guess based on what you know about the information
presented,
- developed from information the author does not directly
state, or come right out and tell the reader; the reader
is expected to figure it out, or infer.
|
What are examples of inferences?
- When mom reminds you to grab your umbrella, you might infer it
is raining outside.
- When your teacher emphasizes studying a certain page
in your social studies book, you might infer the
information will be on the test the next day.
|
How do I know an inference is correct?
- As you continue to read, a correct inference will continue
to make sense;
- look for other clues that support your inference,
and
- notice anything that contradicts (goes against) the
guess or inference. If this happens, you might need
to revise your conclusion.
- At the end of the article, the inference you made should
make sense.
|
What is a prediction?
|
Effective readers use predicting to get actively
involved with a text. A prediction is:
-
a smart guess, or an educated
guess, about what may happen as a result of information
presented in the text;
-
based on what you know about the
topic, and what the writer has given you as facts, data,
and information;
- information the writer does not directly state, or come
right out and tell the reader;
- a great way to be a partner with the writer, almost like
having a discussion about what might happen as a result
of this information;
- something skilled readers to all the time to get involved
with the text.
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How do I know a prediction is correct?
- Predicting is an active and ongoing reading strategy.
Your predictions can change as you gain new information.
That's OK. The important thing is to be aware of hints and
clues the author leaves, so you are able to continue to
make smart guesses about the facts and information in the
text.
- As you continue to read, a correct prediction will continue
to make sense;
- look for other facts to support your prediction or
add to it, and
- notice anything that contradicts (goes against) the
guess or prediction. If this happens, just revise your
prediction to match the new data or information.
- At the end of the text, the prediction you made should
make sense.
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How to use prediction as a Reading Strategy
|
 You can use this skill in everything you
read, from newspapers, to encyclopedia or internet articles,
to stories, poems, magazine articles, even advertisements.
To find out more, click the Reading Strategies icon on the
right.
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Inference and prediction sound like the same
thing. What's the difference between an inference and a prediction?
|
Good question!!
| SAME |
DIFFERENT |
| Both are NOT stated directly by the writer - they are
figured out by the reader |
An inference draws a conclusion |
| Both use facts, data, and information from the text |
A prediction looks ahead to what might happen
|
| Both are educated guesses |
Writers expect readers to make inferences to
think beyond the text |
| Both get the reader actively involved |
Readers expect themselves to make predictions
to think beyond the text |
| Both require higher level thinking from the reader |
|
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In the next section, you'll see some examples of how the Tips
and Tools will help you practice making inferences
and predictions from informational passages.
Example
1 >>
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