What is an Inference?
An inference is an educated guess based on clues. When we read, authors don't always tell us everything directly - we have to "read between the lines" by combining clues from the text with what we already know to figure out what's happening or what characters are feeling.
On Florida's FAST assessment, students are frequently asked to make inferences about characters, events, and meanings that aren't directly stated in the text.
Key Vocabulary
Inference: An educated guess based on evidence and reasoning
Explicit: Directly stated in the text (the author TELLS you)
Implicit: Not directly stated - you figure it out (the author SHOWS you)
Text Evidence: Clues from the text that support your inference
Activities to Try at Home
🎬 Movie Pause Game
While watching a movie or TV show, pause at key moments and ask:
- "What do you think this character is feeling right now?"
- "How can you tell?" (facial expressions, actions, music)
- "What do you think will happen next? Why?"
This builds inference skills visually before applying them to text!
📚 Reading Detective
While reading together, stop occasionally and ask inference questions:
- "The author says [quote]. What can we figure out from this?"
- "How is the character feeling? What clues tell you that?"
- "Why do you think the character did that?"
Always follow up with: "What in the text makes you think that?"
🔍 Real-Life Inferences
Practice inferring in daily life:
- See someone with an umbrella? "What can we infer about the weather?"
- Notice someone yawning? "What might we infer about how they slept?"
- See a long line at a store? "What can we guess about what's inside?"
This shows that inference is a skill we use every day!
🎭 Emotion Inference Game
One person acts out an emotion WITHOUT naming it. Others must:
- Guess the emotion (that's the inference!)
- Explain what clues led to their guess (that's the evidence!)
This mirrors how readers infer character emotions from actions and descriptions.
Questions to Ask While Reading
- "Does the author tell us directly, or do we have to figure it out?"
- "What clues help you understand what's happening?"
- "How do you think the character feels? What makes you think that?"
- "Why did the character make that choice?"
- "What do you already know that helps you understand this?"
- "Can you point to the evidence in the text?"
Parent Tip: Evidence Is Key!
The most important habit to build is asking "How do you know?" after every inference. An inference without text evidence is just a guess. Help your child practice pointing to specific words, sentences, or details that support their conclusions. This is exactly what the FAST test requires!
Explicit vs. Implicit: Practice Recognizing the Difference
Explicit (Directly Stated)
- "Maria was nervous."
- "It was raining."
- "He was 12 years old."
The author TELLS you!
Implicit (Inference Needed)
- "Maria's hands shook."
- "She grabbed her umbrella."
- "He was in 7th grade."
The author SHOWS you - you figure it out!
Sentence Starters Your Child Can Use
- "I can infer that... because the text says..."
- "The author doesn't say it directly, but I think... because..."
- "Based on [evidence], I can conclude that..."
- "This makes me think... because..."
Informacion para Padres (Spanish Summary)
Que es una inferencia? Una inferencia es una conclusion basada en evidencia. Los lectores usan pistas del texto junto con lo que ya saben para entender lo que el autor no dice directamente.
La formula: Evidencia del texto + Conocimiento previo = Inferencia
Vocabulario importante:
- Explicito: Directamente dicho en el texto
- Implicito: No dicho directamente - hay que adivinarlo
Pregunta clave: "Como lo sabes? Que en el texto te hace pensar eso?"