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Week 4 Generalizations

A generalization is a broad statement that applies to many examples and is formed from commonalities among facts or examples. Generalizations are not always entirely true since exceptions exist. Readers recognize and evaluate the generalizations made by authors and form their own generalizations based on evidence from texts. Generalizations should be supported by facts, agree with known information, use logic and reasoning, and be proven with multiple examples to be considered valid.

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14 views

Week 4 Generalizations

A generalization is a broad statement that applies to many examples and is formed from commonalities among facts or examples. Generalizations are not always entirely true since exceptions exist. Readers recognize and evaluate the generalizations made by authors and form their own generalizations based on evidence from texts. Generalizations should be supported by facts, agree with known information, use logic and reasoning, and be proven with multiple examples to be considered valid.

Uploaded by

norafudhla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Generalizations

A generalization is a specific kind of conclusion. All generalizations are


conclusions, but not all conclusions are generalizations. A generalization is
a broad statement that applies to many examples. A generalization is
formed from several examples or facts and what they have in common.

In everyday language, a generalization is defined as a broad statement or


an idea that is applied to a group of people or things. Often,
generalizations are not entirely true, because there are usually examples of
individuals or situations wherein the generalization does not apply. In this
respect, generalizations can be similar to stereotypes in that they are
sometimes offensive.

Readers recognize and evaluate generalizations made by an author.


Readers make and support their own generalizations based on reading a
selection. Clue words that support instruction for generalizations: all, none,
most, many, always, everyone, never, sometimes, some, usually, seldom,
few, generally, in general, and overall.

Generalizations are statements that may include or imply ideas. Thoughtful


readers are able to recognize generalizations. They are able to evaluate if a
generalization is adequately supported by specific facts.

Instruction for this strategy may include helping students evaluate, make
judgments, and form opinions. A judgment is an opinion about the value of
an action, a character, a situation, an author’s assertions, elements of the
text, etc. Thoughtful readers use their own experiences and details from
the text to make judgments, form opinions, evaluate, or generalize.

A generalization becomes stronger by finding a larger sample and by


finding more representative samples. A good generalization is one which
examines a large sample that is spread out over all corners of the class
being studied.

One important thing on making generalizations is the statement should be


Valid. It is better to avoid making fault generalization. Valid generalizations
mean broad statements that: 1) is supported by facts, 2) agrees with what
you already know about the topic, 3) uses logic and reasoning and 4) is
proven with several examples. Faulty means false or is not supported by
facts and cannot be proven by examples stated in the text.

Guiding Questions:

 Which sentences in the selection are like “big umbrella” statements:


A conclusion presented by the author followed by many examples?
 How many examples did the author provide for the statement...?
 Based on the number of examples described in the article, do you
think the author made a valid generalization when he/she stated
that...?
 What words and phrases did you find in the selection that signal
generalization statements? (All, none, most, many, always, often,
everyone, never, sometimes, some, usually, seldom, few, generally,
in general, overall, as a general rule)
 The article includes the phrase, “Some of the research reveals....”
What research was included to support the statement? What
research was missing?
 Is this statement...a valid generalization? How do you know?
 Why do you think authors write generalizations?
 Based on the information in the selection, what generalizations can
be made?

Examples of Statements of Generalization

 All parents try to make life difficult for their children.


 Every salesman lies to make more money on a sale.
 Women all want to have large families.
 Men are all afraid of commitment.
 The best way to make new friends is to just start talking to people.
 Nobody really believes that the Earth is flat.
 Most politicians are greedy and manipulative.
 No American thinks staying in Iraq is the best solution.
 Cats are meaner than dogs.
 Only a fool would believe what that commercial says.
 Everyone who goes to college is an elitist.
 Rich people are greedy.
 Poor people are lazy.
 Men don't enjoy window shopping.
 Everyone is a cynic these days.
 No one could complete a marathon without the appropriate training.

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