Making Inferences and Point of View (Grades 5–6): Read Between the Lines

What is an inference?

Authors don't tell us everything. An inference is a smart conclusion you reach by combining clues in the text with what you already know.

What I know + what I read = inference.

• Text: "The sidewalk is wet." + I know rain makes things wet → Inference: it probably rained.
• Text: "Marcus glanced at the clock every minute and tapped his foot rapidly." → Inference: Marcus is impatient or nervous, perhaps waiting for something important.
• Text: "Dark clouds gathered over the football field." → Inference: it will probably rain soon, and the match might be delayed.
• A girl stands outside a hospital holding flowers and smiling → Inference: she is probably visiting someone who is getting better.

Fact vs inference

A fact is stated in the text or can be seen. An inference is what the facts suggest.

Liam found an old, rusty key hidden beneath a loose floorboard in his grandfather's attic.

• Facts: the key was rusty; the key was hidden.
• Inferences: the key is very old (because it is rusty); someone wanted to keep it secret (because it was hidden).

Strong vs weak inferences

• Weak: "Maybe aliens left the key." (nothing in the text supports it)
• Strong: "The key probably belonged to Grandpa, because it was found in his attic." (based on evidence)

A strong inference is always backed by evidence from the text. Ask: What clue made me think this?

Point of view

The narrator is the person telling the story. Point of view tells us who that is.

• First person: the narrator is a character in the story and uses I, me, my, we. "I walked into the classroom with a nervous smile."
• Third person: the narrator is outside the story and uses he, she, they, his, her, their. "Liam walked into the classroom with a nervous smile."

Perspective is how a particular character sees things: their feelings, opinions and understanding. Two characters can see the same event very differently.

Practise: The New Student

Liam walked into the classroom with a nervous smile. It was his first day at a new school. From his perspective, everyone seemed confident and already had friends.

Maya noticed that Liam was sitting alone during lunch. She invited him to join her group. At first, Liam spoke quietly, but soon he began to laugh and share stories about his old school.

By the end of the day, Liam felt grateful for Maya's kindness. He realised that a small act of friendship could change an entire day.

• Point of view: third person (the narrator uses he, she and his).
• Inference: at the start Liam feels lonely and worried. Clues: "nervous smile", "sitting alone", "spoke quietly".
• How Liam changes: from nervous to happy and grateful. Clues: "began to laugh and share stories", "felt grateful".
• Character trait: Maya is kind and caring. Evidence: she invited Liam to join her group.

Words to know

• perspective: a way of seeing something
• narrator: the person telling the story
• viewpoint: an opinion or position
• loyal: faithful and true
• misunderstanding: not understanding correctly
• sincere: honest and true
• grateful: thankful