Recognising Explicit Information

• Explicit information is direct and clear. It is stated plainly in the text and requires no interpretation or inference.
• Look for data, facts, or statements that give direct answers to the 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where', 'why', and 'how' questions.
• Keep an eye out for numbers, dates, and facts. Explicit information often involves quantitative or qualitative data.
• Note the use of definitive language such as 'is', 'are', 'has', etc. These often indicate the presence of explicit information.

Understanding Implicit Information

• Implicit information is not stated directly. It requires you to make inferences based on your own understanding and knowledge.
• Connect the dots: Try to find the relationship between explicit points to identify implicit details.
• Use context clues such as the overall theme, the author's tone, and the setting of the text to decode implicit information.
• Be aware of subtle cues in language, such as implications, metaphors, or idioms. These often carry implicit information.
• Take note of passive or suggestive statements that don't directly state information, but imply it.

Making Inferences

• An inference is a conclusion drawn from the evidence in the text and your own knowledge and experience.
• Combine your understanding of explicit and implicit information to make informed inferences.
• Consider all possible interpretations and weigh them against each other to arrive at the most plausible or logical inference.
• Practice making inferences from different types of texts. Begin with simpler texts and gradually progress to more complex ones.

Differentiating between Fact and Opinion

• Facts represent truth and reality. They are objective, can be proven, and are typically explicitly stated in the text.
• Opinions represent personal beliefs or judgments. They are subjective, cannot be proven, and may often be implicit or subtly embedded in the text.
• Analyse the source of information. If the author names a credible source or presents evidential data, it is likely a fact.
• Be aware of emotive or persuasive language. Authors often use such language to express opinions.

Increasing Reading Comprehension

• Practice active reading by taking notes, summarising sections of text, identifying main ideas and supporting arguments, and making connections between the ideas.
• Improve your vocabulary to better understand both explicit and implicit messages.
• Engage in regular practice to enhance your ability to recognise explicit information, understand implicit information, and make accurate inferences.
• Use reading comprehension exercises and questionaires to assess and improve your understanding of textual information.