Skill Practice : Making Inferences
While most information in academic texts is stated directly, it is also important to be able to identify and understand inferences. When we infer, we draw conclusions, based on direct information, about the writer’s opinion, possible consequences, or the reasoning behind their statements. Inferring can also be considered ‘reading between the lines’ in that we look beyond simple words into the author’s intentions or logic. This skill is useful when reading for pleasure as well as for homework and exams.
In order to make inferences, it is essential to actively ask questions. This way we can more deeply understand what we read. The following questions can be used when inferring:
- What does this sentence imply about…?
- How does the writer feel about…?
- What does this mean?
- Why did the author write that?
- What could be the reasons behind the author’s statement?
- Is this inference logical or illogical?
Practice
Read the following sentences taken from “Reading 4” and answer the inference questions about them.
- “Men are more likely than women to show aggression (Wilson & Daly, 1985). From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, human male aggression, like that in nonhuman primates, likely serves to display dominance over other males, both to protect a mate and to perpetuate the male’s genes. Sexual jealousy is part of male aggression; males endeavor to make sure their mates are not copulating with other males, thus ensuring their own paternity of the female’s offspring.”
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- What do these sentences imply about human males? Do you agree with this?
- “Boys tend to engage in direct, physical aggression such as physically harming others. Girls tend to engage in indirect, social forms of aggression such as spreading rumors, ignoring, or socially isolating others…In cyberbullying, it is more common for girls to be the bullies and victims because cyberbullying is nonphysical and is a less direct form of bullying (Hoff & Mitchell, 2009).”
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- What could be the reasons for the author suggesting that boys and girls tend to bully in different ways? Do you think this is true?
Pre-Reading
Pre-Reading Activity
Discuss the following questions with a partner.
- Why do you think aggression exists in society? What are the reasons?
- How do you think bullying negatively impacts adolescents?
- Have you ever witnessed bullying or cyberbullying? Did you help the person who was being bullied or cyberbullied?
The words in bold in the chart are from the following reading. Complete the chart with the different forms of each word.
|
NOUN |
VERB |
ADJECTIVE |
ADVERB |
|
aggression |
|
|
|
|
dominance |
|
|
|
|
____ |
inflict |
|
____ |
|
|
____ |
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cognitively |
|
|
|
accessible |
|
Reading 4: Aggression [1]
Throughout this chapter we have discussed how people interact and influence one another’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in both positive and negative ways. People can work together to achieve great things, such as helping each