Reading Between the Lines

Authors don't tell you everything. Sometimes you have to figure it out from clues. This is called making an inference. Read: 'Kai slammed the door. He threw his bag on the floor and didn't say hello.

' The author never says Kai is upset, but the clues show it: slamming, throwing, and not talking. Here's how to infer: clues from the story plus what you already know equals your idea. You know people slam doors when they're angry.

So Kai is probably angry or upset. Always be ready to point to your clues.

• 1Authors don't always say everything.
• 2Clues plus what you know = an inference.
• 3Be ready to point to your clues.