You may not realize it, but you draw conclusions every day. For example, if you look out and see dark clouds, you might come to the conclusion that it’s going to be a rainy day. Or if you detect a wonderful smell coming from the kitchen, you might surmise that someone's baking cookies.
When you read a novel, you probably draw conclusions without giving the process much thought. However, let’s look a little closer at how to come to a conclusion about what you read. Study the table below to learn how to draw conclusions about a character’s perspective.
| Skill | Explanation | Example |
| Find the details | Pay close attention to what the characters say and do, as well as to any other information the author tells you about a character’s view of an event. | Ponyboy is sleepy, hot, and sick to his stomach, but he says he is okay. Also, Two-Bit is very concerned about him and really wants to warn Darry, but Ponyboy begs him not to. |
| Make inferences | An inference is an educated guess based on what you know—that is, the information you’ve been given in the story, as well as any prior knowledge you have about how people behave in general. | Ponyboy is sick, but he is trying to convince everyone, including himself, that he’s really okay. |
| Draw a conclusion | Based on your educated guesses, come to a conclusion—a final judgment or decision—about the character’s perspective. | Ponyboy plans to fight the Socs even though he is most likely very sick. He is doing this because he wants to help out his friends. |
Now, use the activity below to practice coming to a conclusion about Johnny’s perspective of his injuries.
1. What details from the novel help you understand the seriousness of Johnny’s injuries?
2. What inference can you make about Johnny’s perspective on his injuries?
3. What conclusion can you draw about how Johnny views his prospects for recovery?
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
| Dally, Ponyboy, and Two-Bit are very worried about Johnny, as are the doctors and nurses. Also, Johnny seems to think he is going to die. | |
| Johnny seems to know more about his injuries than the other boys do, and he believes he will most likely die. | |
| Based on how the hospital staff and Johnny are acting, they all seem to accept the fact that Johnny will not recover. | |
