Reading Strategy: Make Inferences

When you read, pay attention to details in different parts of the text. Put ideas together to make inferences. Then build on your inferences to get more meaning from the text.

Reading Strategy Make Inferences
    How to Make Inferences

  • 1. Notice the details in the text. Think about what you know.

  • 2. Put the ideas together to figure out what the author did not say directly.

  • 3. Keep reading. Notice other details. Remember the inference you made.

  • 4. Put the new ideas together and build on your earlier inference.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student made inferences.

Look Into the Text

One hundred years ago, everyone had a twinkling view of the night sky. At that time, people could see about 1,500 stars. Today, only one in ten Americans has a beautiful, starry view. People in cities see a glowing orange sky and just a few dozen stars instead.

Astronomers were the first to notice the growing problem of light pollution. They began to realize it in the 1970s.

What I read: People had a twinkling view of the sky.

“I know that stars twinkle. I infer that people used to be able to see a lot of stars.”

What I read: One in ten people has a beautiful, starry view.

“A starry view must also mean that they can see a lot of stars in the sky.”

Practice Together

Reread the passage above, and make an inference. Follow the steps in the How-To box.