Listening Strategies
  • Inferring Main Ideas

    • Inferring Main Ideas

    Listening Comprehension
    On occasion, a speaker does not directly say the main idea. Rather than clearly tell the listener this important information, the speaker gives clues for the listener.

    Objectives

    1. Define inference
    2. Identify an implied main idea
    3. Identify an implied purpose
    4. Explain the reason for inferring the information instead of stating it directly

    What is an Inference?

    An inference is when you use the information you have to form an idea or conclusion. In other words, you have some facts and details and you use those to understand something the speaker doesn't choose to say directly.

    Infer
    To understand an idea that is not directly stated using evidence
    Imply
    To suggest or give an idea without directly stating it

    Speakers can imply meaning by using words with positive or negative connotations. A connotation is a feeling or meaning that goes with the actual definition. For example, interested is positive, but nosy would be negative. The basic meaning of the two words is the same, but the speaker chooses one or the other to imply extra meaning.

    Speakers also use intonation, pausing, and stress to express meaning indirectly. A great example of this is the use of sarcasm. The meaning becomes the opposite of the actual words when the speaker says them differently.

    In more formal speaking, speakers often use examples or stories to illustrate ideas. Instead of telling you directly what to do, the speaker implies through the story what is best to do.

    Questions:

    1. Why do people choose to speak indirectly?
    2. What other examples of implied main ideas can you think of?

    Exercise 1: Implied main idea

    What is the implied main idea?

    Answer Key

    This "thought experiment" introduces a question of philosophy. If you continue the video, the speaker says that the question is if the important part of making a good (moral) decision is about the outcome or the process you use to achieve the outcome. By using the example situation of the trolley problem, the speaker is able to get the audience to understand the moral dilemma without explaining the concept explicitly. Additionally, the listener will likely have an opinion about the topic before hearing an explanation of the philosophy behind it.

    Speaking Practice

    • What is your opinion on the trolley problem? How do you make difficult decisions like this?
    • Why would philosophers use stories like the trolley problem to explain concepts?
    • Narrate and describe another example of a story that is used to explain a concept. Give as much detail as you can.

    Exercise 2: Implied main idea 2

    What is the implied main idea in this video?

    Answer Key

    Toward the end of the video, the speaker more directly states that he believes that these indigenous languages are beautiful. When you connect this conclusion with the major details, you understand that his main idea is that language is deeply tied to our culture and traditions and that the diversity and differences between languages is beautiful.

    Speaking Practice

    • Are there any minority or indigenous language groups in your country? Are they commonly spoken? Why or why not?
    • What examples can you think of how how culture and traditions are connected to language? How would you explain those connections to someone not from your country?
    • Narrate and describe an experience you had with learning more about another language or culture. Give as many details about that experience as possible.

    Exercise 3: Making inferences 1

    • Watch this video to see an example of making an inference. As you watch the video, think about the specific details the speakers are giving. You can find details in the information they give, but also in the words they choose.

      1. What things did the speakers actually say?
      2. Listen again. Make a list of the adjectives the speakers use. How do these adjectives show you the speaker's opinions?
      3. What was the purpose and main idea of the two women asking questions?
      4. Why do you think the speakers are talking about the main idea and purpose indirectly?
    • After you talk about the answers with your partner, describe your opinion on the topic of soda. Which person do you agree with in the video? Why?

    Exercise 4: Making inferences 2

    • Here is another example. Watch the first part of this video and infer what the speaker's main idea and purpose are. 

      1. What do you think the speaker wants the audience to understand from this video? In other words, what is the implied main idea?
      2. What do you think the speaker's purpose is?
      3. Why would the speaker choose to start a longer speech with a story like this?
    • After you watch the video and answer the question with your group, narrate and describe your experiences with "small flecks of gold" in your life.

    This content is provided to you freely by EdTech Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/advanced_low_listening__speaking/inferring_main_ideas.