Making Generalizations

A broad statement or conclusion that is made based on specific examples or evidence

• opinion

• concept

• generalization

• analysis

Which of the following words are used in making generalizations?

• this, that, these, those

• today, yesterday, tomorrow, this afternoon

• some, any, all, many, everyone, everybody

• in, on, under, behind, next to

Which of the following statements is a valid generalization?

• All the students in my class have pets.

• Some kids like to play video games.

• Everyone loves ice cream.

• All people travel during vacation.

Which of the following statements IS NOT a generalization?

• All students have video games.

• Some people have to work from 9 to 4

• Everybody likes Disneyland.

• I am a teacher.

Making Generalization. Choose the best generalization for the following paragraphs. All birds have wings. But not all birds can fly. Birds that do not fly are called flightless birds. The penguin is one example. It uses its wings to swim underwater. Ostriches and emus flap their wings when they want to scare an enemy. Rheas use their wings like rudders when they are running from an enemy. There is even a kind of small parrot that climbs trees and then uses its wings to parachute to the ground. What can you say in general about flightless birds?

• All flightless birds are large.

• Flightless birds are fast runners.

• Flightless birds have different uses for their wings.

• The wings of flightless birds are useless.

Making Generalization. Choose the best generalization for the following paragraphs.

Ants are one of the most widespread insects in the world. Ants are called social insects because they live in colonies made up of other ants. A colony may have a few dozen or several million ants living in it. Ants in a colony are divided into different groups. Worker ants look for food and take care of the young. Soldier ants defend the nest from invaders. The queen ant lays eggs. These are the three main groups in an ant colony.

What generalization can you make about ants based upon your reading?

• All ants live in large colonies

• All ants in a colony have a job.

• All ants work to defend the colony.

• All ants are endangered species.

Making Generalization. Choose the best generalization for the following paragraphs.

About 20% of Americans have allergies. Allergies can range from mildly annoying to deadly. An allergy is an overreaction of a person’s immune system to something that is harmless. Many people are allergic to dust, pollen, or mold. Some people are allergic to certain kinds of food, perfume, or medicines. An allergy might cause sneezing, coughing, or a rash. Sometimes, an allergy is so severe, it can lead to death.

What generalizations can you make about allergies based upon your reading?

• All allergies are deadly.

• Everyone has allergies.

• Allergies can cause different reactions in different people.

• Allergies are not deadly at all.

Identify if it is a VALID or FAULTY generalization.
Telling a lie is always wrong.

• VALID

• FAULTY

Identify if it is a VALID or FAULTY generalization.

Democrats always know what is best for the country.

• VALID

• FAULTY

Identify if it is a VALID or FAULTY generalization.

Everyone likes a little bit of excitement and variety in their life.

• VALID

• FAULTY