Why This Skill Matters
Inference is the bridge between what authors write and what they mean. Every text assumes readers will fill in gaps, make connections, and understand implications that aren’t spelled out. Without strong inference skills, you’re limited to surface-level comprehension.
The problem? Making inferences feels automatic to skilled readers — they don’t notice themselves doing it. This makes inference notoriously difficult to teach and learn. You can’t improve a skill you can’t see.
The “It Says, I Say, So” inference framework solves this problem by making the invisible visible. It breaks the automatic process into three explicit steps that anyone can follow, practice, and eventually internalize.
The Framework Explained
Identify the specific words, phrases, or sentences that provide evidence. Quote or paraphrase directly from the passage.
Connect your background knowledge, experience, or understanding of how the world works to the text evidence.
Combine the text evidence with your knowledge to form a conclusion that the author implies but doesn’t state directly.
The power of this framework is its simplicity. Every valid inference requires all three components. If you can’t identify the “It Says” evidence, you’re guessing. If you can’t articulate the “I Say” knowledge, your inference might not be grounded. And the “So” must logically follow from both.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Read the Text and Identify What’s Not Stated As you read, notice moments where meaning seems implied rather than explicit. These are inference opportunities. Common triggers: character emotions not named directly, cause-effect relationships not spelled out, author opinions suggested through word choice, and conclusions readers are expected to draw.
- Locate Specific Text Evidence (It Says) Go back to the passage and find the exact words that hint at the unstated meaning. Be specific — don’t just gesture at the whole paragraph. Identify the sentence or phrase that provides evidence. This anchors your inference in the text rather than imagination.
- Activate Relevant Background Knowledge (I Say) Ask yourself: “What do I know about life, people, or this topic that helps me understand what the author is implying?” This might be general world knowledge, understanding of human behavior, or subject-matter expertise. Make sure your knowledge actually applies to this specific context.
- Combine Evidence and Knowledge (So) Now put it together. Your inference should logically follow from both the text evidence AND your background knowledge. State your conclusion clearly: “So, the author is suggesting that…” or “So, the character must be feeling…”
- Verify Your Inference Against the Text Check your conclusion against other information in the passage. Does anything contradict your inference? If so, you may have misread the evidence or applied irrelevant knowledge. Valid inferences should be consistent with everything else in the text.
Text: “Sarah glanced at her phone for the fifth time in two minutes, then stared at the door.”
It Says: Sarah repeatedly checked her phone and watched the door.
I Say: People check phones and doors when expecting someone. Repeated checking suggests anxiety or impatience.
So: Sarah is anxiously waiting for someone to arrive — probably someone who’s late or whose arrival is uncertain.
Tips for Success
Start with the “It Says” — Always
The most common inference mistake is jumping to conclusions without text evidence. Train yourself to always identify the “It Says” first. If you can’t point to specific words that support your inference, you’re probably guessing rather than inferring. Evidence-first thinking keeps you grounded.
Be Specific About Your Background Knowledge
Vague “I Say” statements lead to vague inferences. Instead of “I know about human nature,” try “I know that people often avoid eye contact when they’re lying.” The more specific your knowledge, the more precise your inference. This also helps you catch when your knowledge doesn’t actually apply.
When practicing, write out all three steps explicitly. This feels slow at first, but it trains your brain to separate the components. Eventually, the process becomes automatic — but you’ll still be able to slow down and analyze when inferences get tricky.
Check for Alternative Inferences
Strong readers generate multiple possible inferences, then evaluate which is best supported. After forming your “So” conclusion, ask: “What else could this mean?” If another inference fits the evidence equally well, you may need more context before committing. As covered in our Understanding Text pillar, this kind of flexible thinking is essential for deep comprehension.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Inferring Without Evidence
If someone asks “How do you know that?” and you can’t point to text, you’re not inferring — you’re imagining. Every inference needs an “It Says” anchor. This is what separates reading comprehension from creative interpretation.
Mistake #2: Applying Wrong Background Knowledge
Your knowledge about how things usually work might not apply to this specific text. A character might behave atypically. An author might argue against conventional wisdom. Always verify that your “I Say” knowledge actually fits this context. The text takes priority over assumptions.
On tests, wrong answers often exploit plausible-but-unsupported inferences. They sound reasonable but lack text evidence. Before choosing an inference-based answer, always check: “Where does the passage support this?” If you can’t find it, the inference may be a trap.
Mistake #3: Over-Inferring
Sometimes readers infer too much — drawing elaborate conclusions from minimal evidence. Good inferences are modest: they go just beyond what’s stated, not into wild speculation. If your “So” statement makes claims far beyond the evidence, scale back.
Mistake #4: Confusing Inference with Main Idea
Inference and main idea are different skills. The main idea is what the passage is primarily about. An inference is any unstated conclusion — including minor details. Not every inference reveals the main idea. Keep these concepts separate when answering comprehension questions.
Practice Exercise
Build your inference strategy skills with this progressive practice:
Level 1 — Structured Practice: Find a short passage (200-300 words). Identify three things the author implies but doesn’t state directly. For each, write out all three steps: “It Says: ___. I Say: ___. So: ___.” This explicit practice builds the habit.
Level 2 — Speed Practice: Read a news article. Every few paragraphs, pause and ask: “What is the author implying here?” Mentally run through the three steps quickly. The goal is to make the framework faster while maintaining rigor.
Level 3 — Test Simulation: Practice inference questions on standardized test passages. When you get one wrong, analyze: Did you miss the “It Says” evidence? Apply wrong “I Say” knowledge? Jump to an unsupported “So”? Diagnosis helps you improve.
For deeper work on comprehension skills, explore the Reading Concepts hub to build your complete toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Master Inference Questions
Practice the It Says, I Say, So framework with hundreds of inference-based questions and detailed explanations.
Start Learning →70 More Reading Concepts Await
You’ve learned a powerful inference framework. Now explore assumptions, argument structure, and every comprehension skill that builds expert readers.
All Understanding Text Articles
