What is an Inference?

An inference is a conclusion you draw based on evidence in the text and your own reasoning. The author may not state everything directly, so you “read between the lines” to figure out what’s really going on.

How to Make Inferences

• Use clues from the text, such as dialogue or descriptions.
• Combine those clues with your own knowledge or experiences.
• Ask yourself: What can I figure out that the author hasn’t said directly?

Why Inferences Matter

Inferences help you understand characters’ motivations, predict what might happen next, and make sense of complex texts.

Real-World Uses

You use inference skills every day, like guessing how a friend feels by their tone, or figuring out a movie’s plot twist before it happens!