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There are “Good” and “Bad” Generalizations…. You could say:“Most people in the United States greet each other with a handshake.” That’s because generally, speaking…that 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 wouldn’t be true.
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Making Generalizations
And no, it has nothing to do with GENERALS…
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.”
There are “Good” and “Bad” Generalizations….
You could say:“Most people in the United States greet each other with a handshake.” That’s because generally, speaking…that 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 wouldn’t be true.
Signal words to help identify valid generalizations
Valid signal words include:ManyMostSometimesOftenGenerallyUsuallySomeOverall
Signal words to help identify invalid or faulty generalizations
Invalid signal words include:AllAlwaysNeverNoneNo oneNobodyEveryoneEverybody
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.”
Valid or Safe Generalizations: Valid means true.
Supported by facts Uses logic and reasoning Proven with several examples
Invalid or Faulty Generalizations Invalid or 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.
Chocolate is everyone’s favorite dessert.
What is wrong with this generalization? How could you make it a valid
generalization?
Good or Bad Generalization? (valid) (invalid/faulty)
Most high school students love sports and movies.
Teenagers always dress in sloppy, baggy clothes.
Many parents are very strict about allowing young children to play on the computer.
Most foreign countries do not like America. Many people love tacos!
Remember: Generalizations make broad
statements about something. Some are valid, others are faulty. Valid generalizations are supported
by facts, examples, previous knowledge, or logical thinking.
Watch out for words like all or never.
Your turn… 1. Everyone stand up.
2. Everyone sit down. In order to get the whole class to stand up, the teacher doesn’t have to call each person’s 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.
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.
