INFERENCE English language learners: This is an eighteen-slide presentation to help you better understand inference, so you can become a stronger reader and writer. (Created by Rita Zuba Prokopetz / G&R Languages – September, 2013).

1. Inference
Definition
Process
Purpose
Topic: Inference - Open Educational Resources (OER)
Audience: English language learners
Published by: G&R Languages – September, 2013
Images courtesy of ClipArt
Photos courtesy of ClipArt and RZP
Uhmm…
1

2. Inference
• What is it?
• How do we learn about it?
• Why is it important?
2

3. Inference
What is it?
• Observation?
• Reasoning?
• Prediction?
3

4. Inference
It is NOT
• Observation
It is NOT
• Prediction
4

5. Inference
Observation: to recognize a
fact or occurrence
Prediction: to recognize a
possible future occurrence
Inference: to reason, to make
an intelligent guess, to imply
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observation
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/prediction 5

6. Inference
Definition
• Process of reaching a
conclusion based on facts
or evidence
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference 6
Aha!

7. Inference
Conclusion based on facts
This must be either a new
pencil or one which has not
been used a lot.
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference
Fact: a long pencil with an eraser
7

8. Inference
Questions to discuss
• Why do you think this is a
new pencil?
• What makes you think that
it has not been used a lot?
8

9. Inference
Conclusion based on facts
• This must be either an old
pencil or one which has
been used a lot.
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/inference
Fact: a small pencil without an eraser
9

10. Inference
Questions to discuss
• Why do you think this is an
old pencil?
• What makes you think that
it has been used a lot?
10

11. Inference
How do we learn about it?
Observation = what we see
Inference = what we imply
11

12. Inference
How do we learn about it?
• It does not come in a box
• It is not clearly displayed
• It requires you to think
• It requires you to deduce
12

13. Inference
Process
• Observe
• Think critically
• Propose questions
• Draw conclusions
Figure
out!
13

14. Inference
Observation
• The boy is crying
• The boy is hurt
Inference based on facts
• The boy must have fallen
Figure
out!
14

15. Inference
Observation
• He is tired
• The baby is asleep
Inference based on facts
• The baby may have taken a
while to fall asleep
Figure
out!
15

16. Inference
Purpose
Critical thinking
Comprehension
Conclusion
16

17. Inference
It helps you:
Learn to think critically
Reflect on how you think
Read at a higher level
Write stronger paragraphs
Figure out! If 2 + Y = 6 Y = 6 – 2 Then Y = 4 17

18. Inference
Think critically
Figure out
Imply
Topic: Inference - Open Educational Resources (OER)
Audience: English language learners
Published by: G&R Languages – September, 2013
Images courtesy of ClipArt
Photos courtesy of ClipArt and RZP
References used:
Tereza Diaz: Making Inferences with Text -SlideShare
http://www.slideshare.net/tdiaz4/making-inferences-ppt-lesson
Emily Kissner: Making Inferences, Making Meaning -SlideShare
http://www.slideshare.net/elkissn/making-inferences-5569878
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