The Basics

Reading Comprehension is the capacity of the reader to understand written text. Although knowledge of the written language is necessary, reading comprehension is more about understanding the meaning the words are trying to communicate. Essentially, it is about decoding meaning.

Inferences are evidence-based guesses developed after analyzing actual events.  A person observes an event and makes an assumption based on the observations. Reading Inferences make assumptions based on written words. While reading, one must draw conclusions from the text not expressly written in order to understand the idea behind it. This is usually referred to as "reading between the lines."

Reading Inferences are crucial for both reading and writing. Reading comprehension requires inferences to understand the big picture. Reading inferences require a balance between maintaining objectivity and using your previous knowledge of the world. In writing, it is important to look at the text from a reader's perspective. What may seem obvious to you might be inferred with a completely different meaning.

Useful Links: 

Reading Comprehension Basic Information:

This link explains basic reading comprehension information and which tools are needed to properly understand material. It also provides tips for teaching reading comprehension.

Understanding Reading Comprehension

This site provides insight on some children's problems with reading comprehension through and analysis of neurology. Advice is offered on how to solve some of these problems through instruction.

Reading Failures

Reading comprehension can also be connected to syntax and spelling. This study shows how even something as small as spelling can pull away from understanding the text.

Word Identification and Comprehension

Inference Related Material: 

This link directs you to various teaching strategies, but more importantly why some students may have problems with inference and its connection to reading comprehension.

Difficulty with Inference

This site explains the implications of inferences for reading and writing and provides tips on how to clearly communicate.

Reading Ideas as Well as Words

This link includes a seven step process to understanding and inferring text, including observing transitions and how to tell if your inference is illogical.

What You Need to Know About Inferences 

This video presents a more psychology based view of how the inference process works.

S-O-R Process

This video gives a clear description of reading inferences and tips and applies them to taking the SAT or ACT

SAT and ACT Reading Inferences

Practice and Games

This is a link to an adult reading comprehension site where you can learn and practice inferring information from stories in today's world, such as bank failures, from a variety of topics. To navigate the page, click on a category and then a topic. After reading the article, choose from a variety of games such as matching or multiple choice.

Adult Reading Comprehension Practice

Another set of practice problems using both inferences and reading comprehension.

Practice Problems!

This website was created by Brittany Vorreiter. To the best of my knowledge, none of this material is copyrighted. However, if there is a problem, please email me at 10568031@live.mercer.edu.