Reading Strategy: Make Inferences

Writers don’t say everything directly. Sometimes, you have to figure out what they mean from the text and combine it with what you already know. This is called making an inference. Once you make an inference, you can find supporting evidence for it in the text.

Reading Strategy: Make Inferences
    How to Make Inferences

  • 1. As you read, pay attention to the facts and ideas the author gives you about the topic. Look for important clues and details in the text to help you read between the lines.

  • 2. Combine clues from the text with what you already know to make inferences.

  • 3. Read on to find supporting evidence for your inference.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student made inferences and supported it with text evidence.

Look Into the Text

His first time at bat, he heard the announcer stumble through his Spanish name:

“ROB, uh, ROE … BURRT, um let’s see, TOE CLUH-MAINT?” It echoed in the near empty stands. Roberto Clemente was his name, and this is pronounced “Roe-BEAR-to Cleh-MEN-tay.”

Inference Chart
I ReadMy InferenceSupporting Evidence
His first time at bat, he heard the announcer stumble through his Spanish name.There probably weren’t many Latino players at the time. Fans didn’t come to watch them play.The announcer wasn’t used to saying Spanish names. The stands were empty.

Practice Together

Reread the passage to make an inference of your own. Follow the steps in the How-To box. Make a chart to record your thoughts.