Making Generalizations

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Making Generalizations
And no, it has nothing to do with
GENERALS Ms. Walsh
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What is a generalization?

• A generalization is a broad statement about what
  a group of people or things have in common.
• For example, using what you know and have
  observed, you could generalize by saying Most
  people in the United States greet each other with
  a handshake.

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There are Good and Bad Generalizations.

• You could sayMost people in the United States
  greet each other with a handshake. Thats
  because generally, speakingthat is the customary
  greeting in America and it is supported by fact.
• You should NOT say All people in the United
  States greet each other with a handshake.
  Saying ALL means everybody and that is unlikely
  to be true.
• You should NOT say Most people in the world
  greet each other with a handshake. People from
  all over the world greet each other in different
  ways so
• this statement wouldnt be true.

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Clue words to help find generalizations

• All
• Always
• Never
• Most
• Many
• Sometimes
• Generally

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Be careful

• Be careful when using the words ALL, NO,
  NONE, EVERYONE, NOBODY, ALWAYS, NEVER
  etc.
• These are clue words that generally show bad
  generalizations. Always and never are very
  strong words.
• I always do my chores gives no room for error.
  Instead, say Most of the time, I do my chores.
  

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Safe or Valid Generalizations

• Valid means true.
• Supported by facts
• Uses logic and reasoning
• Proven with several examples

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Faulty Generalizations

• Faulty means false.
• Not supported by facts
• Watch for the key words none, all, always,
  never, everyone, nobody
• Just one exception can prove a generalization
  false.

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Chocolate is everyones favorite dessert.

• What is wrong with this generalization?
• How could you make it a valid generalization?

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Good or Bad Generalization?

• High school students love sports and movies.
• Teenagers always dress in sloppy, baggy clothes.
• Children in large families dont get enough
  attention from their parents.
• Russians hate America and French citizens are
  rude.
• Many people love tacos!

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Remember

• Generalizations make broad statements about a
  something.
• Some are valid, others are faulty.
• Valid generalizations are supported by facts,
  examples, and logical thinking.
• Watch out for words like all or never.

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Your turn

• 1. Everyone stand up. 2. Everyone sit down.
  In order to get the whole class to stand up, the
  teacher doesnt have to call each persons name.
  She uses a general statement like Everybody
  stand up.
• 1. All the girls stand up.
• 2. Two boys stand up.
• Most of the people standing are girls.
  This is an easier way than saying All the people
  standing are girls except for a couple that are
  boys..Saying most makes the statement a
  generalization.

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Your Turn

• On a piece of white-lined paper, work with a
  partner to come up with two bad or faulty
  generalizations and two good or valid
  generalizations.