Making inferences

Making inferences:

Inference – The implied meaning
Implied meaning – something that is not stated, but known anyway

An inference is something the reader knows or understands about a particular book, but the author did not state it in the text. For example, in Novio Boy, Gary Soto never comes out and tells the reader that Rudy is poor. Instead, he lets the reader draw an inference to come to that conclusion. Through Rudy’s actions (he has to work really hard to earn that 15$) or his words:

Rudy: How much do you think I’ll need?
Alex: At least fifteen bones.
Rudy: Fifteen dollars!

From that passage, the reader begins to understand that Rudy does not have that much money. But what exactly from that passage makes you think that? Think about it…

There are certain ways to incorporate inferences into your writing without too much difficulty. One of those ways is to use specific names to help the reader make their own inferences.

Naming:

An author can use specific names to help the reader make inferences. For example, instead of saying “I went to the shop,” you could say “I went to Armani.” What might the reader infer from that last phrase? Well, if you shop at Armani, chances are you have a lot of money. If you have a lot of money, you are rich…this person is rich! Did I ever say that person is rich? No, absolutely not, but you were able to infer that from your prior knowledge of the Armani clothing line.

Likewise, if someone said “I’m going to Kmart for an expensive suit,” what might you infer about that particular character?