Inference Examples
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
Why did Tommy leave?
He was afraid of how his mom would react when she saw what he had done.
What is an inference?
A conclusion reached about a passage using evidence and reasoning.
The way in which a character changes and grows over the course of a story.
What is this term?
Character development
Gina looked in the mirror at the bright red pustule on her nose. She poked at it carefully, afraid that it might burst on her dress. It was large and painful. The more she prodded it, the larger it got. This is not how it was supposed to go! Gina thought to herself. Then she began crying. Her mother yelled up the stairs, "Gina! Eric is here!" This news made Gina even more distraught. Now her makeup was running and just as she feared, some of it got on her dress. "Why me? Why today?" Gina lamented to herself between sobs and gasps.
Why might Gina be crying in the passage?
What must you have to support your inference?
Textual Evidence
A moral or lesson revealed to the reader in the story that the author is trying to teach.
What is this term?
Theme(s)
Iggy squinted as he tried to see through the holes in the ski mask. He could make out the large bag on the counter. The frightened woman who put it there now had both hands raised. As he took the bag off of the counter, Iggy tipped an imaginary hat to the woman. The jest did not brighten her demeanor. Iggy exited the first set of doors but stopped in the vestibule. Soon the windows of the building pulsated with blue and red lights. Iggy hurriedly walked back into the building.
Why does Iggy return inside of the building after having left?
Because he realizes that the police are already at the front of the building.
Which of the following would NOT be considered textual evidence that could support an inference?
a) A character's thoughts about a subject
b) The setting of a story
c) A subjective thought about a topic in a story
C
An object, person, or idea that represents another subject in the story.
What is this term?
Symbols
He had always wanted to serve his country, but this seemed like madness. He was supposed to fight a war in a foreign land, helping to protect people he didn't even know. Michael had a strong sense of patriotism, but he was worried about the bombs, death, and carnage that could await him in Iraq. He pondered whether he would ever see his family again.
What can we infer about Michael from this passage?
He is afraid of going into battle.
How do we arrive at an inference in a story?
A) Clues in a book
B) My own thinking
C) None of the answers
D) A & B
D
How the author progresses, develops, and end conflicts over the course of a story.
What is this term?
Plot
Missy looked at her brother Kirk with burning eyes. Her hatred seared through him. Sensing this, Kirk turned toward her and they met eyes. Kirk knew Missy well, but he had never seen this particular expression on her face before and it startled him. He said, "Look, there's no use wasting a bunch of energy fighting. Let's look for it. Where does it go anyway?" Missy fumed at his nonchalance. She replied, "Look at the puzzle, Kirk. You can't miss it." Kurt looked at the jigsaw representation of the Statue of Liberty that lay on the table. It was composed of 2,500 tiny pieces, well, only 2,499 really. The red and yellow piece that went in the center of the torch flame was mysteriously absent. Missy sneered at him and said in a vitriolic tone, "I told you not to move the puzzle pieces, but you insisted. You said that you had to have a better seat. Well, I hope you're happy, Kirk." Kirk ran his index finger along the inside of his shirt collar. "Gee, Missy… I'm sorry," he murmured.
. Why is Missy in such a bad mood?
Because she lost the final piece of her puzzle that she wanted to complete.
What other literary devices can support an inference in a story?
A) Themes
B) Themes, Symbols, and Plot
C) Character development
D) B & C
D
Subjective or Objective?
Objective