Reading Strategy: Make Inferences

An author often gives clues about characters and events instead of telling readers the information directly. When this happens, you have to make inferences, or “read between the lines.”

Reading Strategy: Make Inferences
    How to Make Inferences

  • 1. As you read, look for clues and details the author gives you about the characters.

  • 2. Use what you know about people to make sense of the story. Connect details to your own experience. What new ideas can you put together?

  • 3. Track your thoughts on an Inference Chart like the one below.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student made inferences.

Look Into the Text

Nadia’s father, the sheik Tarik, whose kindness and graciousness caused his name to be praised in every tent, did not know what to do with his willful daughter.

Only Hamed, the eldest of Nadia’s six brothers and Tarik’s favorite son, could calm Nadia’s temper when it flashed. “Oh, angry one,” he would say, “shall we see how long you can stay that way?” And he would laugh and tease and pull at her dark hair until she laughed back. Then she would follow Hamed wherever he led.

Inference Chart
What I ReadWhat I Already Know
Tarik did not know what to do with his daughter.Parents try but don’t always understand us.
Only Hamed could calm Nadia’s temper.I admire my older brother and sister.

What I Can Infer: Nadia feels close to her brother because they understand each other.

Practice Together

Reread the passage from “Nadia the Willful.” Then, follow the steps in the How-To box to make an inference of your own.