Evidence and Inference
What is an inference?
A conclusion you make using evidence from the text and what you already know.
What is the main idea?
The most important point the author wants the reader to understand.
If an author gives facts about a historical crime, what is a likely author's purpose?
To inform.
What are context clues?
Words and details around an unfamiliar word that help reveal its meaning.
Which sentence is written in active voice?
A. The evidence was examined by the detective.
B. The detective examined the evidence.
B.
What is textual evidence?
Information or details from a text that support an answer or idea.
What is theme?
A message or lesson about life communicated through a story.
What is tone?
The author's attitude toward the subject.
“The detective was baffled by the case. None of the clues seemed to make sense.” What does baffled mean?
Confused.
Which sentence is written in passive voice?
A. Jordan discovered the missing phone.
B. The missing phone was discovered by Jordan.
B
Maya entered the classroom and saw wet umbrellas beside the door. Several students' jackets were dripping. What can you infer about the weather?
It is or was raining.
Is friendship a topic or a theme?
Topic
“The dark hallway was silent except for the slow creaking of a door.” What tone does this create?
Suspenseful, mysterious, or eerie.
The prefix im- can mean “not.” What does impossible mean?
Not possible.
Which sentence correctly introduces a list?
A. We found three clues: a key, a shoeprint, and a note.
B. We found three clues, a key, a shoeprint, and a note.
A
A suspect says he was home all evening, but a store camera shows him shopping at 8:15 p.m. What does this evidence suggest?
His statement may not be truthful/accurate.
Turn the topic “appearances” into a thematic statement.
Example: Things are not always what they appear to be.
Why might an author organize events in chronological order?
To help readers follow events in the order they happened.
What does it mean to paraphrase something?
Restate the information in your own words while keeping the original meaning.
What does an adjective phrase do?
It adds information that describes a noun or pronoun.
Why should a reader provide evidence after making an inference?
Evidence shows how the text supports the reader's conclusion.
A detective refuses to accuse someone until she examines fingerprints, interviews witnesses, and checks security footage. What theme is BEST supported?
People should examine the evidence before reaching conclusions.
An author begins a crime article with a personal story before explaining scientific research. Why might the author do this?
To engage the audience and create a relatable introduction to the information.
What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase?
A summary gives only the most important ideas and is shorter; a paraphrase restates specific information in your own words.
Which revision creates better sentence variety?
Original: The detective entered the room. She examined the desk. She noticed a missing key.
A. The detective entered the room and examined the desk, where she noticed a missing key.
B. The detective entered the room. The detective examined the desk. The detective noticed a missing key.
C. The detective entered. She examined. She noticed.
A