Imagined inference: helping writers to think like readers

This study presents and discusses activities designed to make writers more aware of inferences made by readers when reading texts and of inferences made by writers when writing them. The two kinds of inference are connected: some inferences made by writers are about the inferences which readers are likely to make when reading, and some inferences made by readers are about the inferences which writers might have made when writing, or about their intentions more generally. A full understanding of verbal communication requires an understanding of inferences of both types. We are working to develop a theoretical model of the inferential processes of writers, and the work presented here is an early stage of this project. This work is designed both to help us move closer to developing our model and at the same time to help develop the writing practices and understanding of our students.