PuzzoJ

= ** Teaching Inference Making Through Characterization ** = **One of the best ways to teach students how to make inferences (as well as teaching them to use textual references when answering questions), is to present them with characters from a novel or story you have just studied. Give them a list of character traits and have them pick three (or any number you prefer) and tell how that character exhibited that trait in the story. Of course, specific examples MUST be given to back up their assertions. As a side benefit, this exercise also demonstrates the students' ability to comprehend the story upon which this exercise is focused.**

**This follows the same basic method as with characterization, but students search for themes (with proper backing from specifics from the text) rather than character traits.** **Of course, students should be taught what theme is prior to attempting this.**

**Both of these exercises provide an alternative to the standard "test" following any novel or story covered in class. In addition to the benfits described above, it will help sharpen the students' writing skills as well!**