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Chapter 10: Inference

Breaking Through:

College Reading, 8/e

by Brenda Smith

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Inference

An inference is a meaning that is suggested rather than directly stated but can be deduced from clues.

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Inference from Cartoons and Jokes

Sam: Do you know how to save a politician from drowning?

Joe: No

Sam: Good!

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Recognizing Suggested Meaning

The suggestion carries the meaning. Example:

The welcome of the land to the men from the sea was warm and generous; but a still and dripping shape was carried slowly up the beach, and the land’s welcome for it could only be the different and sinister hospitality of the grave. The Open Boat by Stephen Crane

Assumption: Someone has drowned.

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Connecting with Prior Knowledge

Inferences require linking old

knowledge to new. Clues may draw on assumed knowledge of:

history current issues social concerns

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Recognizing Slanted Language

Denotationdictionary definition of a word

Connotation or slantthe feeling or emotion surrounding a word

Example:

-run down

-deteriorated

-neglected

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Drawing Conclusions

factshintscluesprior knowledge

AssumptionsConclusions

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Summary Points

What is an inference? Why are jokes funny? What is the effect of slanted language? What are conclusions?

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Interpreting Literary Devices: Figurative Language

Simile: Spot ran like

the wind.

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Simile

A comparison using the words like or as.

Examples: The boy plays soccer like a tiger. The overcooked bread was as hard as

the table.

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Interpreting Literary Devices: Figurative Language

Metaphor: Grandpa had

a head of snow and a warm heart.

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Metaphor

A metaphor is a directly stated comparison.

Examples: The soccer player was a tiger. The storm was the thief of the enchanting

summer night.

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Reading Newspaper Editorials

What event prompted the editorial? What is the opinion being promoted? Do the details prove the thesis? Is the author liberal or conservative? What is left out? Are the sources and facts credible?

ASK:

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