Inferencing
Inferencing is the process of drawing conclusions based on information that is not explicitly stated. It involves using your existing knowledge and understanding to make educated guesses about what the text implies or suggests.
Why is inferencing important?
- Understanding deeper meaning: Inferencing helps you understand the underlying meaning of a text, even if it is not directly stated.
- Critical thinking: It develops your ability to analyze information and draw conclusions.
- Problem-solving: Inferencing can help you solve problems by making educated guesses about missing information.
How to infer:
- Activate prior knowledge: Use what you already know about the topic to help you understand the text.
- Look for clues: Identify clues or hints in the text that suggest a particular meaning.
- Consider the context: Think about the overall context of the text to help you make inferences.
- Evaluate your inferences: Ask yourself if your inferences are logical and supported by the evidence in the text.
Example:
If you read a sentence that says, “The sky was dark and stormy,” you can infer that it is likely to rain. Even though the text does not explicitly state that it will rain, the description of the sky suggests that this is a likely outcome.
By practicing inferencing, you can improve your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
