Chapter 7 CRCB Using Inference to Identify Implied Main Ideas

Inference is the process of making assumption, and drawing conclusions about information when an author's opinions or ideas are not directly stated.

Inference Strategies
Strategy 1: Understand an Author's Purpose
An author's purpose is an author's reason for writing.
Textbook authors want to inform you about specific subjects such as mathematics, biology, literature, sociology, or business.
Authors of other types of college reading material such as essays, journal articles, and stories write for other purpose : to persuade you of the importance of addressing the issue of global warming, to document new scientific theories or discoveries, or to stimulate your imagination and entertain you.
To understand an author's purpose in writing about a topic, ask yourself, "What is the author's reason for writing"

Strategy 2 : Note Comparisons and Implied Similarities
Strategy 3 : Understand an Author's Use of ToneThe tone authors use to discuss their subject matter can reveal their attitudes toward it.

Strategy 4 : Detect an Author's Bias
Strategy 5 : Recognize Information GapsIt is particularly difficult to draw inferences from reading material when limited information is presented or when information appears to be missing (information gaps)

Knowing How Much to InferRemember that reading is a two-way conversation; you cannot ignore the other person speaking, the author.

Implied Main IdeasImplied Main Ideas are the main points of paragraph, section, or chapter that are not stated explicitly.
1. Read carefully
2. Identify the topic of the reading material
3. Ask yourself what important point the author makes about the topic
4. Combine the topic with the new information you have learned