Higher National Diploma in English

Reading Skills in English II

First Year Second Semester

Title -2: Reading for Implicitly Stated information (23.03.2024)

What is an implicit reading?

Implicit meaning refers to the underlying or suggested meaning of a text or statement. It is not directly
stated, but rather inferred by the reader or listener through context, tone, and literary devices.

What is implicitly stated information?

If something is suggested or not clearly defined, it's implicit. Explicit information is information that is
stated and obvious, whereas implicit information is not obviously stated. It is up to the reader, most of
the time, to figure out the implicit meaning of a piece of text.

What is an example of an implicit statement?

Implicit Textual Evidence –Not stated directly, but reader understands it because of clues in the text.
Example: The trees were swaying wildly outside Anne's window as she prepared for bed, and the gutters
were overflowing.

How do you find implicit information?

To show implicit information, you need to summarize the meaning of a source using your own words,
since it is never directly stated in the source. The best way to do this is by using an indirect quote.

What are examples of implicit activities?

Movement, dance, physical education, theater, recess, aerobics, energizers and sports all comprise a
different kind of learning than lecture. To do them certainly requires knowledge and skill. We call this kind
of learning implicit.

How do you identify an implicit sentence?

If the relationship within the sentence is explicit (stated), transition words and phrases will be used. If the
relationship within the sentence in implicit (unstated), the reader must infer the relationship. This skill is
related to identifying the author's overall organizational pattern.

How do you teach implicit meaning?

Implicit instruction involves giving students communication-based activities, or having them watch
movies or read books, in their target language. The idea is that, through these less formal mediums, they
will subconsciously absorb grammatical forms simply by seeing or hearing them in use.

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How can the knowledge of explicit and implicit information influence your writing?

Sometimes, stating something clearly can be the best way to make your point. This can be true in fiction,
like in the Franz Kafka piece we looked at earlier, but it is especially true in essays and reports. You want
to use explicit information and facts in scientific and non-fiction writing because it is clear and
unmistakable. You don’t want your reader to have to guess your meaning.

Implicit information has a place as well, especially in fiction. You may not realize it, but you use implicit
information every day to communicate. Have you ever told someone, “trash pickup is tomorrow,” and
really meant “please put the trash on the curb?” Implicit information can help your writing seem more
natural, and often be a better—although more roundabout—way to make your point.

The important thing to remember when using implicit information is that the reader will be forced to
guess your meaning from clues in the text. Make your clues clear, then, so as to avoid any confusion. For
example, if you write that a character hisses “it would be a shame if anything happened to you,” your
reader might assume the statement is a threat. If you intend the reader to understand a less menacing
implicit meaning, you might want to rephrase your statement like this:

“It would be a shame if you were hurt,” she said sincerely.

I hope that this video helped you understand explicit and implicit information in your writing. See you
guys next time!

What's the difference between explicit and implicit meaning?

Explicit meaning refers to the meaning of a text or utterance that is directly stated or expressed by the
words used. It is the meaning that can be understood by a reader or listener without any additional
interpretation or inference. For example, the sentence “The cat is on the mat” has an explicit meaning
that can be understood literally.

Implicit meaning, on the other hand, refers to the meaning that is conveyed indirectly, through contextual
cues, assumptions, or implications. It is the meaning that is not explicitly stated or expressed, but must be
inferred or interpreted by the reader or listener. For example, the sentence “I’m so glad you could make
it” might have an implicit meaning of surprise or relief, depending on the context of the conversation.

In general, explicit meaning is more straightforward and easier to understand, while implicit meaning
requires more interpretation and inference. Understanding both explicit and implicit meaning is
important for effective communication and interpretation of written and spoken language.

Why is it important to understand the difference between explicit and implicit meaning?

Understanding the difference between explicit and implicit meaning is important for effective
communication, critical thinking, and analysis. It allows us to interpret messages accurately, recognize
hidden meanings, and communicate more effectively.

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Explicit Information

The most obvious way for authors to convey information is ‘explicitly’.

‘Explicit’ means ‘clearly stated’. Most of the time, this is when the author uses specific words to tell you
what they want you to believe.

For example:

If a source said: “The Renaissance was a historical period where European society finally freed itself from
the dark misery of the Middle Ages”, it is explicitly stated that the author believed that the Middle Ages
was “dark” and caused “misery” to “European society”. This information is clear because exact words are
used to tell you what the author wanted you to believe.

In most circumstances, authors of sources choose to use explicit information so that their audiences aren’t
left wondering what to believe. Their information is so clearly stated, and spelled out with exact words,
that there is no room for doubt or confusion.

Implicit Information

The second way an author can convey information to convince their audience is to ‘imply’ meaning or to
be ‘implicit’.

‘Implicit’ means ‘not clearly stated’ or ‘not exactly said’.

When providing information in an implicit way, authors aim to be more subtle, or clever with how they
try to convince you to believe what they want you to believe. Rather than stating something directly, they
give you enough information so that you reach the conclusion yourself, without the author having to say
it in exact words.

For example:

If an ancient author was trying to convince their audience that a particular Roman emperor was a god,
rather than explicitly saying, “He was a god”, they could imply it by saying:

“The emperor had powers that no normal human being had: he could control the weather, read other
people’s minds, and even cause earthquakes whenever he wanted. Finally, when the emperor had
decided that his time on earth was finished, he flew up to heaven by himself.”

In this example, you notice that the words, “He was a god”, is not actually said anywhere. Instead, the
author has given their audience enough information that they would reach that conclusion without
actually being told directly.

In many cases, the authors of historical sources used implicit meaning to change people’s minds about
something without the audience noticing, because the information is not clearly stated. For this reason,
implicit information is used a lot in propaganda and other persuasive texts.

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How to show that you know the difference

The need to know the difference between explicit and implicit meaning is often most important when
completing assessment, especially exams. When you complete these tasks, you need to successfully show
the exam marker that you can identify information that is either explicitly or implicitly expressed.

To show explicit information, you need to find the exact words in a source that conveys the information.
The best way to do this is with a direct quote. Therefore, use the following steps when constructing your
answer:

1. Read the historical source closely and mark (using an underline or a highlighter) the exact words
used by the author.

2. Then, in your answer, quote these exact words to show that you’ve been able to identify explicit
meaning.

To show implicit information, you need to summarize the meaning of a source using your own words,
since it is never directly stated in the source. The best way to do this is by using an indirect quote.

However, to show how you reached this conclusion, you also need to support your answer by providing
some direct quotes from the source that show what information the author provided that led to this
conclusion. Therefore, use the following steps when constructing your answer:

1. Read the historical source carefully two or three times.

2. Write down, in your own words, what you think the source is trying to convince you of.

3. Find two or three statements in the source that leads you to this conclusion.

4. Then, in your answer, state your summary first to explain what the source was trying to say.

5. Next, support your summary by showing the two or three direct quotes from the source.

6. Finally, explain how these direct quotes led you to the conclusion you stated in your summary.

The more you study historical sources, the more you realize that they can provide both explicit and implicit
information. Usually, you notice this when you are looking for direct quotes to support implied meaning.

For example: Here is a quote from a source:

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“The pharaoh enslaved his own people and forced them to build his pyramid. Over a thousand of his
citizens died following his commands, but the pharaoh continued with his plans regardless of the suffering
caused.”

In the above source, it is clear that the author is implying that the pharaoh was a cruel tyrant who was
happy for people to die in order to get what he wanted. This was never clearly stated, and is, therefore,
implied.

However, in order to imply this, the author provided explicit information in order to lead you to this
conclusion. For example, it clearly stated that he “enslaved his own people” and that he “continued with
his plans regardless of the suffering caused”.

A way to remember the difference

Many people have tried to devise a simple way to help remember the difference between the two
concepts. Any way that helps you remember is perfectly fine, but here is a handy way to remember the
difference between explicit information and implicit information that some students have found helpful.

This trick focuses on the sound at the start of each word:

Explicit has the sound ‘ex’ at the start. This should be a hint that the information uses the exact words.
‘Explicit’ and ‘exact’ start with the same sound.

Implicit has the sound ‘im’ at the start. This should be a hint that you have to ‘imagine’ what the author
wanted to convince you of. ‘Implicit’ and ‘imagine’ start with the same sound.

How do I interpret a written source?

To successfully interpret what a written source says, follow these steps:

1. Read the source two or three times. (Reading it once is often not enough).

2. Identify the main message of the source. (e.g., what is the most important point made in the
writing?).

3. Highlight the key phrases used by the author. (Usually, two to three key statements are enough).

4. Summarise the main message in your own words. (This will usually require you to use indirect
quotes).

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 5. Read over your summary to make sure everything you have written was stated by the source.
(e.g., Don't include your own opinion in your summary).

6. Reread your summary to make sure you have successfully paraphrased the source and have not
simply copied their exact words.What do I do with my interpretation?

Identifying the message of a document shows that you understand the source, which means that you can
use it as an indirect quote in your historical writing.

Your interpretation also helps you in your analysis and evaluation of the source. For example, identifying
the source's message can help you ascertain:

 The purpose of the writing

 The motive of the author

 The relevance of the source to your argument

 The accuracy of the information presented in the source

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