Drawing Conclusions
Good readers are like detectives! They use clues from the text and what they already know to figure out things the author does not say directly. This skill is called drawing conclusions.
What Is Drawing Conclusions?
A Conclusion Is a Smart Guess Based on Evidence!
When you draw a conclusion, you put together clues from what you read with things you already know to figure out something new. The author does not tell you everything directly - you have to be a reading detective!
🔍 Think Like a Detective
Imagine you are a detective solving a mystery. Detectives do not just guess randomly - they look for clues and evidence. Good readers do the same thing!
Example: You see a person carrying an umbrella. Their shoes and pants are wet. The sidewalk has puddles.
Your Conclusion: It has been raining!
The text never said "it is raining" - but you used the clues to figure it out.
The Conclusion Formula
(Clues from reading)
(What you already know)
(Your smart guess)
Using Text Evidence + Prior Knowledge
📖 What Is Text Evidence?
Text evidence is the clues and information you find IN the story or passage. These are facts, details, and descriptions the author gives you.
Look for these types of clues:
- Actions: What characters do
- Words: What characters say
- Descriptions: How things look, sound, or feel
- Details: Specific facts the author includes
🧠 What Is Prior Knowledge?
Prior knowledge is everything you already know from your life experiences, other books you have read, and things you have learned.
You might know:
- Dogs wag their tails when they are happy
- People cry when they are sad (or sometimes when they are very happy!)
- Dark clouds usually mean rain is coming
- When someone yawns, they might be tired
📚 Let's Practice Together!
Maya rushed into the kitchen. She grabbed the biggest bowl from the cabinet and filled it with popcorn. She found a cozy blanket and turned off the lights. Then she sat on the couch facing the TV.
Building Our Conclusion:
Text Evidence (Clues we found):
Maya got a big bowl of popcorn, a cozy blanket, turned off lights, sat facing TV
Prior Knowledge (What we already know):
People often eat popcorn while watching movies. Turning off lights makes it easier to see a screen. Blankets make movie time cozy.
Our Conclusion:
Maya is getting ready to watch a movie!
Drawing Conclusions vs. Guessing
There is a big difference between drawing a conclusion and just guessing! Let's see how they are different.
Drawing a Conclusion
- Uses clues from the text
- Uses what you already know
- Makes sense with the evidence
- You can explain WHY you think this
Just Guessing
- Ignores clues in the text
- Does not use evidence
- Could be anything random
- No reason behind the guess
📚 Example: Good Conclusion vs. Wild Guess
Tommy walked slowly into the classroom. His eyes were red and puffy. He kept sniffling and rubbing his nose with a tissue. He asked the teacher if he could sit closer to the box of tissues.
Good Conclusion:
"Tommy might have a cold or allergies."
This uses the evidence (red eyes, sniffling, tissues) and what we know (these are signs of being sick).
Wild Guess:
"Tommy has a pet elephant at home."
This has nothing to do with any clues in the text!
Practice Reading Passages
Read each passage carefully, look for clues, and draw your conclusion!
Passage 1: The Pet Store Visit
Sarah pressed her face against the glass. Inside, five fluffy puppies were playing with a squeaky toy. One puppy, a brown one with floppy ears, came up to the glass and licked it right where Sarah's hand was. Sarah laughed and turned to her dad with her biggest smile. "Please, Dad? Please?" she said.
What can you conclude about Sarah?
Passage 2: The Big Game
Marcus tied his cleats tight and put on his shin guards. He grabbed his water bottle and jogged onto the field covered with green grass and white lines. His teammates were already warming up, kicking the black and white ball back and forth. The coach blew her whistle and waved everyone over.
What sport is Marcus about to play?
Passage 3: Morning Surprise
Emma woke up and looked out her window. Everything was covered in white! The trees, the cars, the mailbox - all white and sparkling. She could see her breath when she breathed on the cold glass. Emma jumped out of bed and ran to find her mittens, boots, and warmest coat.
What happened overnight?
Passage 4: The Letter
Grandma opened the mailbox and pulled out a colorful envelope. It was covered with stickers and had "To Grandma" written in big, wobbly letters. Inside was a drawing of two stick figures holding hands - one small and one with curly gray hair. At the bottom, it said "I love you" with a backwards letter "e."
Who most likely made this letter?
Passage 5: After School
When James got home, he dropped his heavy backpack by the door with a loud thump. He walked straight past his favorite video game without even looking at it. In the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water, then sat at the table and pulled out a thick math book. He sighed deeply and opened it to page 47.
What can you conclude about James?
Find the Evidence!
Read the passage, then click on the clues that help you draw the conclusion.
Click the Evidence That Supports the Conclusion
Mom walked into the kitchen carrying grocery bags. She put away milk, eggs, flour, and butter. Then she got out her special mixing bowl and put on her apron. She asked Jake if he wanted to help crack the eggs.
Conclusion: Mom is going to bake something.
Click on the clues that support this conclusion:
Detective Challenge
Can you solve these quick detective puzzles? Read the clues and pick the best conclusion!
Reading Detective - Solve the Mystery!
What season is it?
Check Your Understanding
What two things do you combine to draw a conclusion?
What is the difference between a conclusion and a guess?
What should you ask yourself to check if you have drawn a good conclusion?
What We Learned
Be a Detective
Look for clues in the text just like a detective looks for evidence.
Text Evidence
Use details, actions, and words from what you read.
Prior Knowledge
Add what you already know from life and other reading.
Smart Conclusions
Combine evidence + knowledge to figure out what is not directly stated.
A good reader thinks: "What clues do I see in the text? What do I already know about this? When I put them together, what can I figure out?"
Next Steps
- Practice finding text evidence in stories you read at home
- Ask yourself "What can I conclude?" after reading a paragraph
- Talk with a friend or family member about conclusions you draw from books
- Remember: conclusions need EVIDENCE, not just random guesses!