An inference is a deduction or drawn conclusion. To infer is to gather the facts (details) and, based on the facts, draw a conclusion.

An inference can also be based on what you already know – prior knowledge. Prior knowledge can help you draw conclusions faster and more easily.

Use prior knowledge and the details to help you infer what is going on in the following slides.

What details helped you make the inference? In other words, based on the details, what can you infer about each picture?

One sound inference for this picture could be:The bear on the right wants the hunter to shoot the other bear.

a gun scope centered on a bear

two bearsone bear pointing to the other bear

One inference for this picture might be:The student did not read the sign on the door.

a school

a boy (student) pushing against the door

a sign on the door that reads: PULLa sign that

reads: MIDVALE SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED

Making inferences or drawing conclusions about paragraphs, selections, or stories might be a little more difficult. To ease your minds about inferring the written word, remember the steps of making inferences: gather the facts (details) and use prior knowledge (what you already know) before drawing conclusions.

Based on the details, what can you infer in each of the following stories?

The Frogs and the Well Two Frogs lived together in a marsh. But one hot summer the marsh dried up, and they left it to look for another place to live in, for frogs like damp places if they can get them. By and by they came to a deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said to the other, "This looks like a nice cool place. Let us jump in and settle here." But the other, who had a wiser head on his shoulders, replied, "Not so fast, my friend. Supposing this well dried up like the marsh, how should we get out again?"

A logical inference for this story is:"Look before you leap."

The Hare and the Tortoise A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

A valid inference for this story is:Slow but steady wins the race.

Sources

The pictures were obtained from:http://www.funpic.hu/en.index.php

The stories were obtained from:http://www.aesopfables.com

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