© 2005 pearson education inc., publishing as longman publishers the skilled reader (updated...

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

The Skilled ReaderThe Skilled Reader(Updated Edition)(Updated Edition)

by D. J. Henryby D. J. Henry

Chapter 11: InferencesChapter 11: Inferences

PowerPoint Presentation

by Gretchen Starks-Martin

St. Cloud State University, MN


InferencesInferences

An An inferenceinference is an unstated idea is an unstated idea that is suggested by the facts or that is suggested by the facts or details in a passage.details in a passage.

A A valid inferencevalid inference is a logical is a logical conclusion based on evidence.conclusion based on evidence.

What emotions can you What emotions can you infer from this photo?infer from this photo?


What can you infer from this passage? What can you infer from this passage? (Inferences and Reading)(Inferences and Reading)

Jamul and Shanteel sat across from each Jamul and Shanteel sat across from each other in a corner booth in the restaurant. other in a corner booth in the restaurant. For most of the meal, Jamul did not smile, For most of the meal, Jamul did not smile, and despite Shanteel’s efforts to make and despite Shanteel’s efforts to make conversation, he barely spoke to her. conversation, he barely spoke to her. Halfway through the meal, Jamul threw Halfway through the meal, Jamul threw down his napkin and walked away without down his napkin and walked away without a backward look.a backward look.

a. Jamul and Shanteel are related to each other.a. Jamul and Shanteel are related to each other.b. Jamul and Shanteel are angry at each other.b. Jamul and Shanteel are angry at each other.c. Jamul is unhappy with Shanteel.c. Jamul is unhappy with Shanteel.


What can you infer from this passage?What can you infer from this passage?

Jamul and Shanteel sat across from each Jamul and Shanteel sat across from each other in a corner booth in the restaurant. other in a corner booth in the restaurant. For most of the meal, Jamul did not smile, For most of the meal, Jamul did not smile, and despite Shanteel’s efforts to make and despite Shanteel’s efforts to make conversation, he barely spoke to her. conversation, he barely spoke to her. Halfway through the meal, Jamul threw Halfway through the meal, Jamul threw down his napkin and walked away without down his napkin and walked away without a backward look.a backward look.

a. Jamul and Shanteel are related to each other.a. Jamul and Shanteel are related to each other.b. Jamul and Shanteel are angry at each other.b. Jamul and Shanteel are angry at each other.c. c. Jamul is unhappy with ShanteelJamul is unhappy with Shanteel..


Avoiding Invalid ConclusionsAvoiding Invalid Conclusions

An invalid conclusion is a false An invalid conclusion is a false inference that is not based on the inference that is not based on the details, facts, or reasonable details, facts, or reasonable thinking.thinking.

The VALID approach consists of 5 The VALID approach consists of 5 steps in thinking:steps in thinking:

1.1. VVerify and value the facts.erify and value the facts.2.2. AAssess prior knowledge.ssess prior knowledge.3.3. LLearn from the text.earn from the text.4.4. IInvestigate for bias.nvestigate for bias.5.5. DDetect contradictions.etect contradictions.


Step 1: Verify and Value the FactsStep 1: Verify and Value the Facts

The state and federal governments set the ages at which you could get your driver’s license, drink alcohol, and vote. Before you could get a job, the federal government had to give you a SS#. And you have been paying Social Security taxes every month in which you have been employed. If you worked a low-paying job, your starting wages were set by state and federal minimum-wage laws.

What are the two inferences supported by the facts in the paragraph?

___State and federal governments are unfair.

___State and federal governments affect daily life.

___Governments have influence over people.


Verify and Value the FactsVerify and Value the Facts

The state and federal governments set the ages at which you could get your driver’s license, drink alcohol, and vote. Before you could get a job, the federal government had to give you a SS#. And you have been paying Social Security taxes every month in which you have been employed. If you worked a low-paying job, your starting wages were set by state and federal minimum-wage laws.

What are the two inferences supported by the facts in the paragraph?

___State and federal governments are unfair.

_X_State and federal governments affect daily life.

_X_Governments have influence over people.


Step 2: Assess Prior KnowledgeStep 2: Assess Prior Knowledge

What are two inferences supported by What are two inferences supported by the details in the picture based on the details in the picture based on your prior knowledge?your prior knowledge?

___This is a low-income neighborhood.___This is a low-income neighborhood.

___This is an upper-middle-class ___This is an upper-middle-class neighborhood.neighborhood.

___This is a high-crime area.___This is a high-crime area.

___Residents take pride in their ___Residents take pride in their neighborhood.neighborhood.


Assess Prior KnowledgeAssess Prior Knowledge

What are two inferences supported by What are two inferences supported by the details in the picture?the details in the picture?

___This is a low-income neighborhood.___This is a low-income neighborhood.

__XX_This is an upper-middle-class _This is an upper-middle-class neighborhood.neighborhood.

___This is a high-crime area.___This is a high-crime area.

__XX_Residents take pride in their _Residents take pride in their neighborhood.neighborhood.


Step 3: Learn from the TextStep 3: Learn from the Text

You use inferences when you You use inferences when you use context clues.use context clues.

Janet’s sense of smell told her that Janet’s sense of smell told her that Todd had been with another Todd had been with another woman, for he woman, for he reekedreeked of perfume. of perfume.

ReekedReeked means: means:a. stunka. stunk

b. shinedb. shined

c. trembledc. trembled


Step 4: Investigate for BiasStep 4: Investigate for Bias

Disparaging statements such as “I’m a failure” are Disparaging statements such as “I’m a failure” are destructive. They imply that failure is in you and will destructive. They imply that failure is in you and will always be in you. Instead, use statements that refer always be in you. Instead, use statements that refer to the here and now. In addition, describe actions to the here and now. In addition, describe actions and reasons for your feelings. Such statements and reasons for your feelings. Such statements might look like this:might look like this:““I feel like a failure right now; I’ve erased this I feel like a failure right now; I’ve erased this computer file three times today.”computer file three times today.”““I felt like a failure when I couldn’t think of that I felt like a failure when I couldn’t think of that formula.”formula.”

What inferences are invalid due to bias?What inferences are invalid due to bias?___The word disparaging means” degrading.”___The word disparaging means” degrading.”___Once we fail, we are most likely always going to fail.___Once we fail, we are most likely always going to fail.___We often believe the statements we made about ___We often believe the statements we made about

ourselves.ourselves.___You should keep criticisms about yourself general.___You should keep criticisms about yourself general.


Step 4: Investigate for BiasStep 4: Investigate for Bias

Disparaging statements such as “I’m a failure” are Disparaging statements such as “I’m a failure” are destructive. They imply that failure is in you and will destructive. They imply that failure is in you and will always be in you. Instead, use statements that refer always be in you. Instead, use statements that refer to the here and now. In addition, describe actions to the here and now. In addition, describe actions and reasons for your feelings. Such statements and reasons for your feelings. Such statements might look like this:might look like this:““I feel like a failure right now; I’ve erased this I feel like a failure right now; I’ve erased this computer file three times today.”computer file three times today.”““I felt like a failure when I couldn’t think of that I felt like a failure when I couldn’t think of that formula.”formula.”

What inferences are invalid due to bias?What inferences are invalid due to bias?___The word disparaging means” degrading.”___The word disparaging means” degrading.”__XX_Once we fail, we are most likely always going to fail._Once we fail, we are most likely always going to fail.___ We often believe the statements we made about ___ We often believe the statements we made about

ourselves.ourselves.__XX_You should keep criticisms about yourself general._You should keep criticisms about yourself general.


Step 5: Detect ContradictionsStep 5: Detect Contradictions

What would be your explanation What would be your explanation for the following behaviors?for the following behaviors?

Making careless errorsMaking careless errors Not sitting stillNot sitting still Talking excessivelyTalking excessively Always interruptingAlways interrupting Being forgetfulBeing forgetful


Step 5: Detect ContradictionsStep 5: Detect Contradictions

What would be your explanation What would be your explanation for the following behaviors?for the following behaviors?

Making careless errorsMaking careless errors Not sitting stillNot sitting still Talking excessivelyTalking excessively Always interruptingAlways interrupting Being forgetfulBeing forgetful

This is an ADHD child, not a rebellious or disrespectful child.


Thinking Through an InferenceThinking Through an Inference

Step 1: Verify and Value the FactsStep 1: Verify and Value the FactsStep 2: Assess Prior KnowledgeStep 2: Assess Prior KnowledgeStep 3: Learn from the TextStep 3: Learn from the TextStep 4: Investigate for BiasStep 4: Investigate for BiasStep 5: Detect ContradictionsStep 5: Detect Contradictions

This cat is feeling:This cat is feeling:a. frightened or threateneda. frightened or threatenedb. contentb. contentc. lovingc. lovingd. hungryd. hungry


What are the Correct What are the Correct Inferences?Inferences?

Every three years the city council looks at the Every three years the city council looks at the local cable TV companies and grants them the local cable TV companies and grants them the right to do business in the city limits. New cable right to do business in the city limits. New cable companies are allowed to bid for access. The companies are allowed to bid for access. The council also looks at rates and services. No new council also looks at rates and services. No new cable companies have been approved in many cable companies have been approved in many years. The current cable company, which is the years. The current cable company, which is the only company allowed access, pays a healthy fee only company allowed access, pays a healthy fee to the city every year.to the city every year.

a.a. The city council can help ensure fair prices for access The city council can help ensure fair prices for access to cable.to cable.

b.b. The review process is open and fair.The review process is open and fair.c.c. The cable company and the city council have made a The cable company and the city council have made a

deal with each other.deal with each other.d.d. The current cable company charges fair rates.The current cable company charges fair rates.


What are the Correct What are the Correct Inferences?Inferences?

Every three years the city council looks at the Every three years the city council looks at the local cable TV companies and grants them the local cable TV companies and grants them the right to do business in the city limits. New cable right to do business in the city limits. New cable companies are allowed to bid for access. The companies are allowed to bid for access. The council also looks at rates and services. No new council also looks at rates and services. No new cable companies have been approved in many cable companies have been approved in many years. The current cable company, which is the years. The current cable company, which is the only company allowed access, pays a healthy fee only company allowed access, pays a healthy fee to the city every year.to the city every year.

a.a. The city council can help ensure fair prices for access The city council can help ensure fair prices for access to cableto cable..

b.b. The review process is open and fair.The review process is open and fair.c.c. The cable company and the city council have made a The cable company and the city council have made a

deal with each otherdeal with each other..d.d. The current cable company charges fair rates.The current cable company charges fair rates.


Inferences and PhotosInferences and Photos

What can you infer What can you infer from these photos?from these photos?


Chapter ReviewChapter Review

1.1. An An inferenceinference is an unstated idea is an unstated idea that is suggested by the facts or that is suggested by the facts or details in a passage.details in a passage.

2.2. An author implies an ideaAn author implies an idea, and a , and a reader makes an reader makes an inferenceinference about about the author’s meaning.the author’s meaning.

3.3. Using Using context cluescontext clues to understand to understand the meaning of a word is one the meaning of a word is one example of making an inference.example of making an inference.


Chapter ReviewChapter Review

4.4. The first step in making a sound The first step in making a sound inference is to inference is to verify and value the verify and value the factsfacts..

5.5. The second step is to assess The second step is to assess prior prior knowledgeknowledge..

6.6. The third step is to The third step is to learn from the learn from the texttext..

7.7. The fourth step is to The fourth step is to investigate for investigate for biasbias..

8.8. The fifth step is to The fifth step is to detect detect contradictionscontradictions..


Complete the Complete the Applications, Review Applications, Review Tests, and Mastery Tests, and Mastery

Tests for Chapter 11.Tests for Chapter 11.

© 2005 pearson education inc., publishing as longman publishers the skilled reader (updated...

Documents

reading jamul

pearson education

valid inference

longman publishers step

false inference

corner booth

shanteels efforts

backward look