Lesson 1: Supporting Inferences in Literature

• English
• 8th Grade

L1: Supporting Inferences in Literature

Introduction

In order to fully understand literature, readers must often make inferences and judgements based on evidence in the text. Some of the evidence in a text is explicit or directly stated in the words. Other evidence is implied. Implied evidence leads you to infer a meaning behind the words. When you make an inference, you are connecting implied evidence with what you know from your own experience to make a logical guess. 

Read the paragraph below

Raja removed his saxophone from the case as he waited outside of the gym's closed doors. Distant sounds of the school band's brass instruments being tuned filled the corridor. His hat, scarf, and jacket lay beside him. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, which he would occasionally brush away with the back of his hand. He looked at his watch again. Finally, the gym door opened. "We're read for you now, Raja," said Mr. Schwartz. "Let's see how you sound with the others."

Type of Evidence	Definition	Textual Evidence in the paragraph.
explicit	information stated directly
implied	information stated indirectly

Drag and drop each blue box of evidence into the correct category.

Faint sounds of music can be heard.

It's winter

Mr. Schwartz invites Raja in.

Raja is nervous.

Mr. Schwartz is the band leader.

Raja is outside the gym with his saxophone.

Use the evidence from the previous slide (implicit and implied) to complete this sentence.
Raja is going to_____________________________________.

Read the first part of the story....

excerpt from "Red Rose and Tiger Lily" by L.T. Meade. Chapter I: Nan's Golden Mane

1 It was a perfect summer's evening. The sun had just set, and purple, gold, violet, rose color still filled the sky in the west. There was a tender new moon, looking like a silver bow, also to be seen.

2 Hester Thornton stepped out of the drawing-room at the Grange, and, walking a little way down the broad gravel sweep, began to listen intently. Hester was about 17-a slender girl for her age. Her eyes were dark, her eyebrows somewhat strongly marked, her abundant hair, of a much lighter shade of brown, was coiled in close folds round her head. Her lips were slightly compressed, her chin showed determination. Hester had not been beautiful as a child, and she was not beautiful as a girl, but her face was pleasant to look at, very bright when animated very steadfast and sweet when in repose. She was naturally a pale girl, but a faint rose color was now discernible in her complexion, and the look of expectation in her dark eyes made them charming. 

3 A step was heard on the gravel behind, and she turned quickly. 

4 "Is that you, father?" she exclaimed.

5 "Yes. Are not you very imprudent to come out at this hour in your thin house shoes, and with nothing on your head? There is a very heavy dew falling."

6 "Oh, I never take cold," replied Hester with a smile, which showed her even and pretty white teeth; "and I certainly shan't to-night," she continued, "for I am feeling far too excited."

Where do Hester and her father have their conversation?

Where are Hester and her father?

Place the hotspot on the part of the excerpt that indicates the character's location.

1 It was a perfect summer's evening. The sun had just set, and purple, gold, violet, rose color still filled the sky in the west. There was a tender new moon, looking like a silver bow, also to be seen.

Hester Thornton stepped out of the drawing-room at the Grange, and, walking a little way down the broad gravel sweep, began to listen intently. Hester was about 17-a slender girl for her age. Her eyes were dark, her eyebrows somewhat strongly marked, her abundant hair, of a much lighter shade of brown, was coiled in close folds round her head. Her lips were slightly compressed, her chin showed determination. 

Hester had not been beautiful as a child, and she was not beautiful as a girl, but her face was pleasant to look at, very bright when animated very steadfast and sweet when in repose. She was naturally a pale girl, but a faint rose color was now discernible in her complexion, and the look of expectation in her dark eyes made them charming. 

Were you able to identify the setting by making an inference, or was the information stated explicitly?

Do you understand today's concept?

I completely understand.

Not at all.

Sorta, but I need more help.