Making Inferences

Learning Objective: Use text clues and background knowledge to draw logical conclusions about information the author does not state directly.

An inference is a logical guess based on evidence in the text, combined with what you already know about the world. Authors do not always state every fact directly; instead, they give readers clues and expect the reader to "read between the lines."

To make a strong inference, look for specific details — actions, descriptions, and word choices — that suggest a feeling, situation, or outcome. Then combine those clues with your own experience or knowledge. For example, if a character's hand is described as "shaking" while answering the phone, this suggests fear or worry, even if the word "afraid" never appears.

A good inference is supported by evidence from the text. If someone asks, "How do you know that?" you should be able to point to specific words or details that led you to your conclusion.

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Finding the Main Idea and Supporting Details

Learning Objective: Identify the main idea of a text and recognize the details that support it.

Every paragraph or passage has a topic — the subject it is about — and a main idea, which is the specific point the author wants to make about that topic. For example, the topic of a passage might be "community gardens," but the main idea could be "community gardens help neighbors build stronger relationships."

The main idea is often found in the first or last sentence of a paragraph, but not always. Sometimes readers must figure it out by looking at all the sentences together. Supporting details are the smaller pieces of information — facts, examples, and explanations — that help prove or explain the main idea.

A helpful strategy is to ask yourself: "What is this mostly about?" after reading each paragraph. If you can answer in one sentence, you have likely found the main idea. Then ask: "What information does the author give to support that idea?" Those answers are the supporting details.

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