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Chapter 9: Understanding Inference and the Author’s Purpose. Active Reading Skills , 2/e Kathleen McWhorter Brette McWhorter Sember PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-Martin. An inference is an educated guess or prediction about something unknown based on available facts and information.
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Chapter 9: Understanding Inference and the Author’s Purpose Active Reading Skills, 2/eKathleen McWhorter Brette McWhorter Sember PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-Martin
An inference is an educated guess or prediction about something unknown based on available facts and information. It is the logical connection that you draw between what you observe or know and what you do not know. Inference
A well-dressed man walks toward the front of your lecture hall on the first day of class. Inference Example What can you infer?
How to Make Inferences • Be sure you understand the literal meaning. • Notice details. • Add up the facts. • Look at the writer’s choice of words. • Understand the writer’s purpose. “Why did the author write this?” • Be sure your inference is supportable with facts.
Inform Persuade Amuse Give Instructions Understanding a Writer’s Purpose
Maria Montessori founded her first school for young children in Italy in 1906. Today there are thousands of Montessori schools throughout the world. Example of “to inform”
New Baked Fat-Free Spicy Chips: Finally a tasty snack without the fat. We bake them instead of frying and add your favorite spices. Try a bag today! Example of “to persuade”
Children tell it like it is…sometimes to the embarrassment of their parents. Example of “to amuse”
In case of an emergency, remain calm and proceed in an orderly manner to the nearest exit. Example of “to give instructions”
Some Characteristics: uses many examples uses long, complicated sentences uses informal word choice uses technical language Intended Audiences: news magazines professional journals newspapers children’s books retirement news letters textbooks Style and Intended Audience The characteristics that make a piece of writing unique is known as style.
Denotation: The meaning stated in the dictionary; its literal meaning Denotation
Connotation: The additional implied meanings that a word may take on. It can carry either a positive or negative, favorable or unfavorable, impression. Connotation
Old or mature? Self-centered or self-absorbed? Fun or amusing? Persistent or stubborn? Connotative Meanings
Evaluating Your Progress Use the “Purpose and Tone-The Getty Museum, California” module in the Reading Skills section on the MyReadingLab Web site at http://www.ablongman.com/myreadinglab.
For more practice visit the Companion Web site. http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter