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Interpretation and Evaluation:

INFERRING INFORMATION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Following this meeting, you should be able to:


 predict content from your background knowledge;
 use clues to infer what a written or pictorial text is about; and
 be aware of the importance of active reading and questioning content while
reading.

INFERRING INFORMATION

When you found the main ideas in the preceding paragraphs, you were using inference.
Making inferences is important in daily life. For example, if you see storm clouds, you
might infer it will rain. Inference in reading is a type of informed guesswork in which the
reader makes judgments about the author’s meaning. You must read “between the lines.”
Sometimes you can correctly guess information that is implied in paragraph, but other
inferences may not be supported by what the author has implied.

Information is not always stated in exact terms, we must supply our own information
from details or ideas that are only suggested by the writer. We cannot always be certain
that what we supply is absolutely right. But if we follow hunches that are based on
evidence, we can be fairly sure about some things, even if they are only hinted at.

 Activity 1: Making inferences from cartoon and picture


Individually
1. Look at the picture A and B the lecturer shows you.
2. In a sentence explain the point of the picture – that is, what you think the picture is
about.
3. Answer the questions the lecturer gives you.

1
Picture A

2
Picture B

MAKING INFERENCES FROM A WRITTEN TEXT

Example: Samuel Morse


In the following paragraph, write yes before each statement that can be inferred and no
before each statement that cannot be inferred from what the author has implied.
Underline the main idea.
During his lifetime, Samuel Morse (1791 - 1872) was more famous for his painting than
for his invention of the telegraph and Morse code. He was known first for his ivory
carving, which he studied at Yale University. He was later known for his portrait
painting. By 1822, at the age of 31, he was internationally recognized. It was another ten
years before he became interested in telegraphic communication.

1. Today, Morse is better known for his invention of the telegraph


2. Morse died young
3. Morse was famous as scientist during his lifetime
4. Morse’s art was seen in different countries
5. Morse studied to be an artist
6. Morse was an unusually talented man

Explanation:

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Statement 1, 4, 5, and 6 can be inferred from the paragraph. It can be inferred that
statement 1 is true from the first sentences in the paragraph. Statement 4 can be inferred
from phrase “internationally recognized.” Statement 5 can be inferred from the reference
to Yale University. Statement 6 can be inferred from all the things Morse was able to do.
Statement 2 is not a valid inference, because Morse was able to 1872. Statement 3 cannot
be inferred, Morse started working on the telegraph in 1832, but he didn’t die until 1872.
The main idea is in the first sentence, and it supported by facts.

(Taken from Minnette Lenier, p 34)

Activity 2: The Stradivarius


Type: Individual
Instruction: If you can infer the statement from the paragraph, answer yes. If you cannot
infer the statement, answer no.

Although it has never been possible to produce a violin like the


Stradivarius, it may be possible to produce its sound in the future.
According to Janos Negyesy as the University of California, Sand Diego,
someday there may be a way to produce the same quality of sound by
computer.
1. A stradivarius is a very good violin
2. A Stradivarius was made by using a computer.
3. Negyesy made Stradivarius violins.
4. Many violinists would like to own a Stradivarius violin.
5. The new computer reproduction will look like the original.
6. The same note played on different violins can sound different.

(Taken from Minnette Lenier, p 35)

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MAIN IDEA IN THE PARAGRAPH
A paragraphs is a group of sentences about some related subject. As you read a
paragraph, you look for the key idea that each sentence presents. Adding up these key
ideas, you see that each sentence helps build the main idea of the paragraph, the basic
subject that all the sentences are related to. Readers must know what the main idea of
the paragraph is in order to understand the information that they are reading (Wiener &
Bazerman, 1988).
Often one sentence in the paragraph tells the reader, exactly what the rest of the
paragraph deals with and therefore gives the main ideas. This main idea sentence (it is
often called a top sentence or topic statement) may appear in one of several places.

Main idea in the Beginning

Main idea in the


beginning
As the sun went down, the scene from the bridge was
beautiful. It had been a perfect day. Up and down on
either side of New York the bright blue water lay gently
rippling, while to the south it merged into the great bay
and disappeared toward the sea. The vast cities spread
away on both sides. Beyond rolled the hilly country
until it was lost in the mists of the sky. All up and
down the harbor the shipping, piers, and buildings were
still gaily decorated. On the housetops of the both
Brooklyn and New York were multitudes of people
- David McCullough

main ideas

The main idea of this passage is the view from the bridge was beautiful. All the sentences
in the paragraph illustrate that idea by providing many details.

Main Idea in the Middle

Main idea in
There are 74.5 million television sets in the United States, at the middle
least one set for 98 percent of all American homes. Forty-
eight percent of all U.S. homes have more than one set, and
some families even have a set for every person in the house.
Yet, despite the fact that the number of sets in the United
States has virtually reached a saturation point, the amount
of time spent watching television has declined steadily
since 1976. Explanations vary from the increasingly poor
quality of networks shows to the rising popularity of home
video equipment, but some the fact remains that are owning
more sets but enjoying them less.

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The main idea of this paragraph is despite the fact that the number of sets in the United
States has virtually reached a saturation point, the amount of time spent watching
television has declined steadily since 1976.

Main Idea at the End

Although the buildings are tall, none of them blots out the
sky. People rush about as in New York, but someone
always stops to answer a question about directions. A
person will listen will listen when he or she is asked a
question. Often a sudden smile will flash from the
crowds of strangers pushing down State Street. It is a
smile of welcome and of happiness at the same time. And
traffic: it is tough, noisy, active; but a person never feels
as if he takes his life in his hands when he crosses the
street. Of course, there is always the presence of the lake,
the vast, shimmering lake that shines like an ocean of
silver. Something about lake each time it spreads out
around a turn in Lakeshore Drive says, “Hello. It’s good
to see you again.” Chicago is a fine, friendlyMaincity.idea at
the end

The main idea of the paragraph is Chicago is a fine, friendly city. All the sentences in
paragraph support that idea with details. By stating the main idea at the end, the author
summarizes the pint of the paragraph.

 Activity 3 : Getting main idea from paragraph


Individually
A. Choose the appropriate option to identify the sentence that is the main idea of the
paragraph.
Example:

Financial genius James "Big Jim" Fisk (1834-1872) died of gunshot wound when
he was only thirty-seven years old. During his brief lifetime, Fisk earned and lost
huge sums of money, much of it through bribery and theft. During the Civil War,
he smuggled cotton from the South to the North. He also printed and sold phony
bonds to gain control of the wildly profitable Erie Railroad. Then he bankrupted
the railroad while gaining a personal fortune for himself. In 1869, Fisk’s attempts
to take over the gold market led to financial panic and the collapse of the stock
market. Oddly enough, Fisk seemed rather proud of his wicked ways, saying
"Some people are born to be good; other people to be bad. I was born to be bad."
A lover of the ladies, Fisk was killed in a fight with a rival over the affections of
actress Josie Mansfield.
Main Idea:
a. Big Jim Fisk liked pretty women a little too much for his own good.
b. In his pursuit of wealth, James Fisk never let law or morality stand in his
way.

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c. James Fisk did not have a long life, but that did not stop him from making
a great deal of money.

For the ancient Romans, taking a bath was a very special occasion. Because they
considered bathing a social opportunity, they constructed huge public baths that
put our modern-day indoor pools and spas to shame. Not only were the baths
themselves lavishly decorated, they were also surrounded by shops, libraries, and
lounges so that a person could shop, read or chat after bathing. The famed Baths
of Caracalla, for example, offered Roman citizens massages and saunas in
addition to a gymnasium and gardens for after-bath walks in lovely surroundings.
Art lovers that they were, the Romans also frequently built art galleries into their
bathing facilities. There were also kitchens, where food was prepared to serve
hungry bathers. Although initially men and women bathed separately, mixed
baths became the fashion until 500 A.D., when the coming of Christianity brought
the public baths to an end.
Main Idea:
a. The ancient Romans were the first to lead a life of pure luxury.
b. If the Romans had spent more time governing and less time bathing, the
Roman Empire would still exist today.

c. The ancient Romans made luxury and socializing a part of bathing.

Birds have long played a central role in superstitions. However, the role birds
have played varies greatly. While crows were thought to be in league with the
devil, blue birds were usually considered signs of good fortune. Blue jays, in
contrast, were seldom assigned a positive role in superstition and legend. Most of
the time, they were considered companions to the devil. According to one ancient
superstition, blue jays were never seen on Fridays. Friday was their day to meet
with the devil and pass on any useful gossip about souls who might be ready to go
astray. Owls, in contrast, have played a number of different roles, some good,
some bad. In several superstitions they are portrayed as wise counselors; in others
they are a sign that death is near.
Main Idea:
a. Despite having the same color, blue jays and blue birds have played very
different roles in superstitions.
b. Birds turn up frequently in superstitions as signs of both good and evil.
c. Hardly a superstition exists that doesn’t have a bird in it.

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Writing opposite sentences (positive or negative).
a. The city hasn’t have many beautiful buildings.
b. Whale doesn’t live in the river.
c. Visitors see some similarities between New York and San Fransisco.

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