Inferences and Conclusions in Texts

R.1.2 - Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Key Ideas and Details

Understanding Inference and Conclusion

To comprehend a text's purpose, readers must evaluate evidence presented by the author. This involves observing facts, delineating arguments, and discerning valid information. Strong readers combine textual information with their own knowledge and experiences to construct meaning.

Inference: A logical assumption or educated guess about a topic based on evidence and reasoning. It's akin to reading between the lines.
Conclusion: Takes the information in the text to the next logical step or level based on details and evidence.

Key Terms

Procedure: Ordered steps to follow in a set of written directions to complete a task safely, efficiently, and effectively.
Inference: A logical assumption, or guess, that can be made about a topic based on evidence, reasoning, and personal experience or knowledge.
Conclusion: A deduction made by a reader that takes the details, evidence, and assumptions presented in a text to the next logical step.
Delineate: Describe precisely or set forth accurately in detail.
Argument: A type of text consisting of a claim on a debatable issue, background information, reasoning and evidence, rhetorical appeals, counterclaims, and responses to counterclaims.
Valid: Proven as true.
Assumption: Supposition of an unstated idea.
Logic: The framework of reasoning used to understand ideas and make sound assumptions, predictions, and conclusions.

Skills and Abilities

Identify evidence used in a text to support conclusions.
Distinguish between explicit and implicit evidence given to describe conclusions.
Explain how explicit and implicit evidence supports logical conclusions.

Explicit and Implicit Evidence

Texts contain both explicit and implicit information that can be used to make inferences and conclusions. Both types of evidence are useful.

Explicit Information: Directly stated in the text, leaving no room for confusion.
Implicit Information: Suggested or implied ideas, not directly stated in the text.

Example

Consider the example:

"In the past, hospital nurses could check client vital signs only by hand, which required precision and more frequent checks. Today, however, there are a variety of monitors that can help nurses ensure that clients are stable constantly. Technology may have improved, but nurses are still as busy as they ever were."

The author explicitly states that nurses previously had to perform procedures more often to check vital signs, and that technology now ensures client stability. The author implies that this technology hasn't significantly improved nurses' lives. Readers can infer that nurses have more responsibilities than just monitoring vital signs, based on the explicit evidence "still as busy as they ever were". One can conclude that the text aims to highlight that technology cannot replace human nurses.

By integrating explicit and implicit evidence with personal knowledge and experience, readers can understand a text's meaning and the author's intent.

Drawing Logical Conclusions

Example: Boxing Match

"The boxer stood in her corner, trying to catch her breath while the crowd roared and her tenacious opponent snarled with confidence from across the ring. As she waited for the sound of the bell to signal the final round, sweat stung her eyes, and her muscles tensed."

Conclusions:

The explicit details of "the bell to signal the final round" and the boxer’s tensed muscles allow you to conclude that the boxer is in the final round of a difficult match. You can also logically conclude, based on the evidence of “the roaring crowd,” that this match is exciting.

Inferences:

The opponent is tough and angry, inferred from the explicit description: tenacious and snarled.
The opponent is likely winning, and the boxer is losing, based on the implicit evidence: the boxer is trying to catch her breath while her opponent is snarling with confidence.

It's reasonable to assume the character in the corner is losing or barely keeping up the fight.

Key Terms

Explicit: Describes information that is directly stated in a text.
Implicit: Describes ideas that are suggested rather than stated directly in a text.
Imply: Indicate an idea subtly without specifically stating it.

Practice Problems

Passage:

"After graduating from high school, Danielle decided to become a neonatal nurse. Her grandmother had been a pioneer in caring for premature babies. She had developed many of the procedures used in neonatal care. Danielle enrolled in her community college’s associate degree in nursing program. She worked hard and completed the program in four semesters. As Danielle approached her graduation date, she learned about the nursing residency program at a nearby hospital. Danielle was especially intrigued by the “transition to practice” philosophy of the nursing residency program. This would allow her to find out if nursing was what she really wanted to do with her life. The next enrollment period for the program would begin soon after graduation. This meant she would be eligible to apply. However, she would also need to complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) training as another requirement for joining the program. As she applied for the program, she reviewed the list of specialized areas of nursing offered. She dreamed of the day she could become a nurse in neonatal intensive care."

Questions and Answers:

Which of the following best supports the inference that Danielle has a lot of determination?
- Correct Answer: C. She completes the program in four semesters.
Which of the following details from the passage is implicit evidence?
- Correct Answer: D. Danielle wants to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps.
Which of the following can be concluded about the “transition to practice” program based on evidence from the passage? (Select all that apply.)
- Correct Answers:
  - C. Nursing students can gain experience while learning about nursing.
  - E. Students in the program would work at a nearby hospital.
Which of the following clients would Danielle care for as a neonatal intensive care nurse?
- Correct Answer: B. Premature or critically ill newborn infants
Using both explicit and implicit evidence from the passage, make an inference about how Danielle thought or felt about her grandmother. Then explain the evidence used to make this inference.
- Inference: Danielle admired and respected her grandmother.
- Evidence: Danielle chose to follow in her grandmother's footsteps by becoming a neonatal nurse. The passage states that her grandmother was a pioneer in neonatal care and developed many procedures in the field. Danielle's interest in neonatal intensive care and her enrollment in a nursing program suggest a desire to continue her grandmother's legacy.