Inferences: Reading Between the Lines

An inference is a conclusion you draw based on the information given and your own reasoning. Authors don’t always state everything directly; sometimes, you have to read between the lines.

How to Make Inferences

• Use clues from the text plus your background knowledge.
• Ask: What does the author suggest, but not say directly?
• Look for hints about feelings, motives, or outcomes.

Why Inferences Matter

Making inferences helps you understand characters' motives in a story, predict what will happen next, or interpret subtle messages in articles or speeches.

Real-World Uses

Whether you’re figuring out a friend’s mood from a text or understanding a movie plot twist, making inferences is a skill you use every day.