What do you infer from this cartoon?

Chapter 1

Inference
Critical Thought
 Let’s watch this…
Pay attention to a segment of this
“Criminal Minds” episode and point
out, at least, two inferences made by
the agents.
 What is an inference?
"An inference, as we shall use the term, is a statement
about the unknown made on the basis of the known”.
Example:
 We may infer from the material and cut of a woman's clothes
her wealth or social position.
 We may infer from the character of the ruins the origin of the
fire that destroyed the building.
 We may infer from a man's calloused hands the nature of his
occupation.
 We may infer from a senator's vote on an armaments bill his
attitude toward war.
 We may infer from the structure of land the path of a
prehistoric glacier.
Note…
“Inferences may be carefully or carelessly made. They may be
made on the basis of a broad background of previous
experience with the subject matter or with no experience at all.
Example:
The inferences a good mechanic can make about the internal
condition of a motor by listening to it are often startlingly
accurate, while the inferences made by an amateur (if he tries to
make any) may be entirely wrong. But the common
characteristic of inferences is that they are statements about
matters which are not directly known; statements made on the
basis of what has been observed."
(S.I. Hayakawa, Language in Thought and Action, 3rd ed. Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich, 1972)
 How reliable is an inference?
The reliability of inferences covers an enormous range. Some
inferences are credible, but inferences based on minimal
evidence or on evidence that may support many different
interpretations should be treated with skepticism.
In fact the strength of an inference can be tested by the
number of different explanations we can draw from the
same set of facts.
The greater the number of possible interpretations, the less
reliable the inference.
The Language of Inference…
To imply: to suggest, indicate indirectly, hint; what a writer,
speaker, action, or object conveys.
To infer: to arrive to a conclusion by reasoning from facts or
evidence; what a reader, listener, or observer determines or
concludes.
Remember:
 A writer, speaker, action, or object implies something, and
readers, listeners, or observers infer what that something is.
 Only people can make inferences; anything can imply meaning.
 Transmitters and Receivers
When you imply, you transmit an indirect message. When
you infer, you receive the indirect message. What's an
indirect message? An indirect message is the one said to
be between the lines.
For example:
Reading between the lines, I infer the MD is content with
our performance, but he clearly implies the marketing
section needs an overhaul.

http://www.columbiaseminary.edu/coffeetalk/092.html
 Exercise…
Look at the cartoons below and
make inferences about each one. Be
sure to support your inference by
using evidence presented in the
cartoons.
Cartoon # 1
Cartoon # 2
Cartoon # 3
 Written Exercise… (T1)

Go to page 22 from the

booklet given and do
EXERCISE 2A
This must be sent by mail on
Wednesday May 29 no
later than 8.00 pm.