Understanding Inferences

An inference means taking what you already know (background knowledge) PLUS what the author tells us in the text (EVIDENCE).

You make inferences all the time when you read. When you make an inference, you think about your understanding of a text, think about your own experiences, and then conclude certain information based on these two factors. Since authors do not always tell readers directly everything that takes place in a story or text, good readers take what details the author does offer, and they infer, or assume, certain conclusions. Making inferences helps you understand the text and allows you to make predictions, using text evidence to support your understanding.