You are making an inference when you try to guess something you don’t know by using the knowledge of the things that you know. It is very helpful in understanding the implications and drawing conclusions. Understanding an inference is easy. For example, if you go near a puppy and it runs away from you, you infer that it is scared. Inferences are important because readers always use their own judgments and draw their conclusions. There are 3 main types of inferences in reading. It is important to understand each one of them. So, let’s look at the types of inference in reading!
1. Deduction
A deductive inference always begins with a statement to check if it is true with the help of observation. A conclusion is drawn from a set of premises. This is the way of deducing an inference:
A is B. But C is A. Therefore, C is B.
So, here is an example of deductive inference:
- All human life is mortal. I am a human. So, my life is mortal.
2. Induction
An inductive inference reaches a final conclusion with premises. It is basically predicting a situation with specific information. It may or may not be true. This is the way of inducing an inference:
If A is true, then B can be true.
Here is an example:
- I eat food. I am fat. Therefore, everybody is fat.
As you can see, it lacks logic in it.
3. Abduction
The abductive inference is different than the previous two. It picks up incomplete hints and the likeliest and logical conclusion is made.
Here is an example:
- The door is locked. Nobody is home. They must’ve gone out.
Summing Up
These were the 3 types of inferences. They look complicated but are relatively to understand when you look closely.