Making

Inferences and
Citing
Evidence
By: Jasemine D. Neely

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About this tutorial:

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Today you will learn how to make

inferences and cite evidence in order
to answer text dependent questions.
Answering text dependent questions
in this manner allows you to ensure
that your answers are correct as well
as valid. Eventually, you will be able
to use these methods to write
research papers as well.

Overview

What is the purpose of

making inferences?

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Answer:
When making inferences,
you began to create a
logical idea that supports a
question.

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Why is it important to
cite evidence
properly?

Answer:
When you cite evidence, your
responses are solid, accurate
answers that are backed by
proof.

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The first steps in

Making an Inference
As a reader, you should understand that
authors do not always tell you every detail, or
give you every piece of information. When you
are attempting to make an inference, there
should be some type of connection made
between yourself and the text or question at
hand. It is very important to make an inference
so that you can supply what the author left out.
You should start by asking yourself about
clues that were already given. The three steps
below will help you in the initial steps of
making an inference so that you can answer
the text dependent questions that will be
provided to you.
1.Try reading the questions before you actually
read the text.
2.Read the story twice.
3.Find key words in the questions and scan
the story for words.

Making an Inference
Guide
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What the author said + what I

know
= my inference

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The weather
had been
scorching for
weeks.

Summer is
the hottest
time of the
year.

It is summer.

Inference Sample

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Directions

Overview

Story line: Pretend you are at Wal Mart. As you

are walking down the candy aisle, you notice a
little boy crying and pulling on his moms skirt
as she pushes her cart towards the front of the
store. He is constantly pointing to the candy
aisle. The closer she gets towards the front of
the store, the louder the little boy screams.
Possible Inferences:
1.The little boy is crying because he wants some candy.
2. The little boy is crying because he can not get the candy he wants.
3. He left something on the candy aisle and wants to go back and get it.

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Inferences that wouldnt make sense:

1.The little boy is happy to leave the store.
2.The boys mom is not feeling well and needs to leave the store.
3.The store is burning in flames and they should all get out.

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First Steps in Citing

Evidence

When we have ideas about what we read, we

need to cite explicit textual evidence to support
our ideas. When we read, we often are asked
to answer questions or express our ideas
about the text. In order to let people know we
arent making things up, we should use
explicit textual evidence to support our
opinions or answers.
The inference you make about the question
should align with the evidence you choose to
cite. Follow the steps below in order to cite
properly.
1. Cite what in the text led you to that
inference: Give supporting evidence from the
text by directly quoting from the
text.
2. You must use quotation marks to introduce
the author
Sentence starters = In the first paragraph,
_____ the author says...The
text states...The text describes/For
example...The author explains...Early in the
text, the author/For instance
3. Make sure your citation aligns with your
inference.

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Directions

1.
2.
3.

Review your inference.

Find it in the text.
Cite properly.

QUESTION: Why is the little boy in the store crying? Make an inference, and cite from the
text.

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How To Properly Cite

Evidence (Guide)

The little boy is

crying because he
wants some candy

He is constantly
pointing to the candy
aisle.

The author states,

He is constantly
pointing to the
candy aisle
(authors name,
page number). This
statement explains
why the boy is
crying.

Helpful Tips-The Dos and Donts..

When making inferences:
It is not a good idea to assume an answer, your answer should be logically
decided. You will need to think of the things that you already know by drawing
conclusions about the text. Use critical thinking skills to ensure that your answer
is grade level.

When citing evidence:

It is in your best interest to connect your evidence to the
inference you have made. The response should come directly
from the text, and must make sense. Use the proper citation
methods to give credit to the authors work.

Guided
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Directions- Answer each question to the best of

your ability. Click the answer box to reveal the
answer.

Overview
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Citing
Evidence

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Why do we
make
inferences
?

CLICK HERE FOR

THE ANSWER

CLICK HERE FOR

THE ANSWER

What
should you
include
when citing
from the
text?

CLICK HERE FOR

THE ANSWER

__+__= my
inference

CLICK HERE FOR

THE ANSWER

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Directions

Directions- Complete each statement by filling

in the blank.

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When citing from the text you must use ________ and
introduce the author.

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Find it in the ________ is the 2nd step in citing

evidence.
Read the story ________ times before making an
inference.

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Directions- Answer the questions

Directions

below on your own.

What is needed to
make an inference?

Overview
Why is this not a
good inference to
make?
3. The store is burning
in flames and they
should all get out.

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What is the
purpose of
citing
evidence?

True/False: Is this
the proper way to
cite evidence?
He is constantly
pointing to the
candy aisle, said
the reader of the
text, question 5.

Make a
connection
between who
and what when
making
inferences?

You are now ready to make inferences and

cite evidence from the text. If you need to
refer to this tutorial at a later date, please do
not hesitate to do so. At this point, you have
the ability to make inferences and answer
text-dependent questions with ease.
Good Luck!

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Resources

1. BrainPop- video language and

technique
http://www.windsor.k12.co.us/tech/CAT
TAIL/cattailhome.htm#6%20%20LAMA
2. Dan Kurlands Critical Reading
http://www.criticalreading.com/inference_
process.htm
3. Danielle Bruce Citing Textual Evidence
https://prezi.com/-uutx2ui3hyx/citingtextual-evidence/