This document discusses generalizations, which are broad statements about what groups of people or things have in common. Good generalizations are supported by facts and use words like "most" rather than absolute terms like "all" or "never". Bad generalizations are not supported by facts and use absolute terms that are unlikely to be true of an entire group. The document provides examples of good and bad generalizations and guidelines for forming statements that accurately generalize without overstating facts or claiming something is true of all cases.

1. Making
Generalizations
And no, it has nothing to do with GENERALS…
Ms. Walsh

2. 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.”

3. 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.

4. “Clue words” to help find
generalizations:
 All
 Always
 Never
 Most
 Many
 Sometimes
 Generally

5. 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.”

6. Safe or Valid Generalizations:
 Valid means true.
 Supported by facts
 Uses logic and reasoning
 Proven with several examples

7. 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.

8. Chocolate is everyone’s
favorite dessert.
 What is wrong with this generalization?
 How could you make it a valid
generalization?

9. Good or Bad Generalization?
 High school students love sports and
movies.
 Teenagers always dress in sloppy, baggy
clothes.
 Children in large families don’t get
enough attention from their parents.
 Russians hate America and French
citizens are rude.
 Many people love tacos!

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.