Text Evidence: Words from the passage that PROVE your answer is correct. Inference: A conclusion you make by combining text clues with what you already know.
Text Evidence
Exact words or sentences from the text that support your answer. You can point to it!
Inference
Reading "between the lines" - figuring out something the author didn't say directly.
The Inference Formula
Text Clues + What I Know = My Inference
Sentence Starters for Citing Evidence
For quoting: "According to the passage, '...'" or "The text states, '...'"
For paraphrasing: "The author explains that..." or "In paragraph 2, the text describes..."
For inference: "Based on the text, I can conclude that..." or "I can infer that... because the text says..."
Explicit = STATED
The answer is RIGHT THERE in the text. You can point to the exact words.
"The text says Maria was 10 years old."
Implicit = INFERRED
You have to FIGURE IT OUT using clues and what you know.
"Maria is probably in 4th or 5th grade." (inference from her age)
Practice: Finding Text Evidence
The Amazing Octopus
The octopus is one of the ocean's most intelligent creatures. Scientists have observed octopuses solving puzzles, opening jars, and even using tools. Unlike most animals, octopuses can change their skin color in less than a second. They use this ability to hide from predators and to communicate with other octopuses. An octopus has eight arms, each with its own "mini brain" that can act independently. This means an octopus can do eight things at once!
1. According to the passage, what can octopuses do to hide from predators?
2. Which sentence from the passage BEST supports the idea that octopuses are intelligent?
3. Copy one sentence from the passage that proves octopuses can change colors quickly.
Practice: Making Inferences
A Big Day
Maya woke up before her alarm even went off. She had barely slept all night. Downstairs, she could smell pancakes - her favorite breakfast. Her new dress was hanging on her closet door, and her speech was folded neatly on her desk. She had practiced it at least fifty times. Her stomach felt like it was full of butterflies.
4. Based on the passage, how is Maya feeling? What text evidence supports this?
Maya is feeling:
Text evidence:
5. What can you infer Maya will be doing today? Use the inference formula.
Text Clues
What I Know
My Inference
6. The passage says Maya's "stomach felt like it was full of butterflies." What does this tell us about how she feels? (This requires an inference!)
Explicit or Inference? Write E or I.
Based on "A Big Day" passage above:
7. _____ Maya woke up before her alarm.
8. _____ Maya is nervous about something.
9. _____ Pancakes are Maya's favorite breakfast.
10. _____ Maya will give a speech at school today.
Remember!
Text evidence = words from the passage that PROVE your answer
Inference = text clues + what you know = conclusion
Always go BACK to the text to support your answers!
Use sentence starters: "According to the passage..." or "I can infer that..."