Facts and Inferences

Imagine that you were asked to write a short essay answering the following question:

“Which video game console is the best of the current generation?”

Warming Up….

Note that it is asking for a subjective (opinionated

) answer

I think the Playstation 3 is the best system. It has awesome games that you can’t get on Xbox. Secondly, its got free access to the internet on the Playstation Network. Thirdly, we save money by using it because you get a blueray player when we buy it. That is my essay on the Playstation 3.

What is wrong with this response?

Today:Using facts to support inferencesUsing better transitionsWorking on better conclusions

Cleaning up our writing

Ray Rice is among the most gifted players in the NFL.

Cal Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive major league baseball games.

The Playstation 3 is equipped with a blueray player and built-in wireless internet access.

The Xbox 360 does not offer as many good games as the Playstation 3.

Look at the statements below.Which of them are facts?

Ray Rice is among the most gifted players in the NFL.

Cal Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive major league baseball games.

The Playstation 3 is equipped with a blueray player and built-in wireless internet access.

The Xbox 360 does not offer as many good games as the Playstation 3.

The highlighted ones are statements of fact. The others are inferences

Good academic writing is a blend of both facts and inferences.

Every inference must be supported by a fact, and (conversely) every fact must be explained with an inference.

An inference is a statement of a fact’s significance – your explanation as to what the fact means and why it is important.

Facts and Inferences

Fact: Cal Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive major

league baseball games.

Inference:This record demonstrates that Cal Ripken was

a man of tremendous determination and a role model for other young players.

Practice:

Fact:The Playstation 3 offers a built-in blueray

player and wireless internet connectivity.

Inference:These features make the Playstation 3 a

superior value to the otherwise overpriced and underperforming Xbox 360.

Practice:

Fact:Drinking caffeinated beverages such as Red

Bull increase dehydration, which ultimately results in lack of energy later on.

Inference:These contradictory effects result in a product

that is bad for students seeking more energy throughout the day.

Practice:

Fact:The Puritans believed in John Calvin’s principle

of total depravity, which suggested that they were inherently evil and corrupt.

Inference:This type of philosophy inevitably resulted in a

culture of people whose values contradicted Christ’s teachings on love.

Practice:

Fact:Patrick Henry argued that death was more

desirable than colonial enslavement to the British.

Inference:His passionate speech served to motivate and

inspire others to join his noble cause.

Practice:

Fact:Ray Rice led the Ravens last year in both rushing yards

and receptions.

Inference 1: The Ravens were fortunate to have drafted such a talented

and multi-faceted player.

Inference 2: The Ravens are unfortunate to have such a poor receiving

corps that they rely on running back to catch passes.

Notice how facts can produce different inferences, depending on the point you are trying to make.

Fact:The Xbox 360 charges a small monthly fee for the use of

its Xbox live service.

Inference 1:The fee provides meaningful income for Microsoft, with

which they can provide a superior online gaming experience with more perks.

Inference 2: Playstation 3 offers comparable service for no monthly fee,

making it a better value for the American consumer.

Another example:

Below are 3 facts. What are two inferences you can generate for each one?

Fact: The New York Yankees lead all of major league baseball in overall spending on free agents.

Fact: Loyola Blakefield’s tuition has nearly doubled in the 10 years since Mr. Bailey graduated.

Fact: The Catholic Church persists in its policy of not allowing married men to serve as priests.

Guided Practice

It all comes down to what you will be trying to prove in your writing.

We call what you are trying to prove your THESIS STATEMENT.

A thesis statement is a statement of inference – an opinion about a topic that you will spend your paper trying to support.

You support your thesis with a series of facts and inferences.

What Does This Have To Do With Us?

Let’s go back to the same question:

“Of the video game systems available today, which is the best one?”

Practice:

Think about your answer, then frame your answer as a statement.

“Of all the video game systems currently available, the Playstation 3 offers consumers the best overall gaming experience by offering superior hardware and software.”

First: Answer the Question

This is your thesis! It is what you are trying to

prove!

What facts can you gather to support that thesis? Jot them down!

Next: Gather Support

Of all the video game systems currently available, the Playstation 3 offers consumers the best overall gaming experience by offering superior hardware and software.

1) At purchase, it comes equipped with a blue-ray player and wireless internet capability.

2) The Playstation network costs nothing to use and offers an array of services.

3) The Playstation gaming library includes exclusive titles like Uncharted, Killzone, and The Show.

Choose Your Best Support

1) At purchase, it comes equipped with a blue-ray player and wireless internet capability. These hardware additions make the system a useful part of a home entertainment setup.

2) The Playstation network costs nothing to use and offers an array of services. Similar services on Xbox cost the consumer more, making the Playstation 3 a better value.

3) The Playstation gaming library includes exclusive titles

like Uncharted, Killzone, and The Show. These award-winning games feature unmatched graphics and gameplay experiences that cannot be found on other systems.

Support each fact with an inference.

Of all the video game systems currently available, the Playstation 3 offers consumers the best overall gaming experience by offering superior hardware and software. At purchase, it comes equipped with a blue-ray player and wireless internet capability. These hardware additions make the system a useful part of a home entertainment setup. The Playstation network costs nothing to use and offers an array of services. Similar services on Xbox cost the consumer more, making the Playstation 3 a better value. The Playstation gaming library includes exclusive titles like Uncharted, Killzone, and The Show. These award-winning games feature unmatched graphics and gameplay experiences that cannot be found on other systems.

Put it Together

Of all the video game systems currently available, the Playstation 3 offers consumers the best overall gaming experience by offering superior hardware and software. At purchase, it comes equipped with a blue-ray player and wireless internet capability. These hardware additions make the system a useful part of a home entertainment setup. Another benefit is that the Playstation network costs nothing to use and offers an array of services. Similar services on Xbox cost the consumer more, making the Playstation 3 a better value. Users are also rewarded by Playstation’s gaming library, which includes exclusive titles like Uncharted, Killzone, and The Show. These award-winning games feature unmatched graphics and gameplay experiences that cannot be found on other systems.

Add Transitions:

Your paragraph’s conclusion should be fresh and interesting, not simply just a repeat of the paragraph’s first sentence.

Bad: That is my essay on the Playstation.

Better (but still crummy): The Playstation is thus better than the Xbox.

Even better These features combine to make the Playstation the best buy.

Best So Far: This diversity of useful features and cutting edge hardware

innovations serve to make the Playstation 3 the superior gaming console of its generation.

Wrap it up with a conclusion:

Of all the video game systems currently available, the Playstation 3 offers consumers the best overall gaming experience. At purchase, it comes equipped with a blue-ray player and wireless internet capability. These hardware additions make the system a useful part of a home entertainment setup. Another benefit is that the Playstation network costs nothing to use and offers an array of services. Similar services on Xbox cost the consumer more, making the Playstation 3 a better value. Users are also rewarded by Playstation’s gaming library, which includes exclusive titles like Uncharted, Killzone, and The Show. These award-winning games feature unmatched graphics and gameplay experiences that cannot be found on other systems. This diversity of useful features and cutting edge hardware innovations serve to make the Playstation 3 the superior gaming console of its generation.

The Final Product:

1) Generate a thesis that answers the question2) Create a list of facts that support your thesis3) Employ inferences to explain the relevance

of your facts.4) Tie it all together by building a paragraph

with appropriate transitions and a good conclusion.

Review: