Generalizing
- Generalizing is is a statement drawn from particular facts that is generally true about a broad category of things. As such, it may be misleading or stereotypical, and not accurate for an entire group or category.
- Clue words that support instruction for generalizations: all, none, most, many, always, everyone, never, sometimes, some, usually, seldom, few, generally, in general, and overall.
- Generalization text pattern can be used for essays, speeches, newspaper editorials, or nonfiction articles.
- A generalization text pattern organizes information into a general statement followed by facts, reasons, or examples that are intended to support it.
- 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 a number of examples or facts and what they have in common.
Questions that can help students explore generalizations:
·
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 signals 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?
