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Generalization and Specifics

A generalization is a statement which has general application. A generalization is concerned with what is true or applicable in most instances. It is not limited in scope, and involves the obvious features, not the details. In writing it is necessary to support or prove generalizations by giving facts, examples, statistics, personal experiences, etc., so that the reader will be convinced that what you are saying is true.

For example, if you write:

Americans are materialistic people ,

or

Astronauts are brave men,

the reader will expect you to support your idea by giving SPECIFIC DETAILS. SPECIFIC is the opposite of GENERAL.

Structure Vocabulary

The following is a list of some of the structure vocabulary you need when you support a generalization with specific details:

for example in substantiation

for instance to substantiate

for one thing as an illustration

to illustrate in one instance, in thisinstance

in one instance as an example

in other words take ___________, for example

as follows consider ________, for example

as proof in practice

let me illustrate according to statistics

let me cite as proof according to statistical evidence

The following words and phrases are used for generaliza-tions:

generally all

generally speaking every

on the whole never

always

Exercise 21. Write STATEMENTS of GENERALIZATION and EXAMPLES to fit the following patterns.

1.Generally speaking, everybody likes ___________.

2.All students are _____________.

3.On the whole, _______ is a good place to live. For example, we can _________ there.

4.Doctors are ______________ men. My doctor, for instance, always ___________.

5.I am always ________________ . As proof, let me tell you about _________________.

6.Libraries are _______________ places. Take, for example, _______, where ________.

Examine the sentences you have written. Which are GENERALIZATIONS? Which are EXAMPLES?

Generalizations and Specifics: Relevance

Good writers provide their readers with PROOF or with SUPPORTING DETAILS when they make generalizations. The supporting information must be RELEVANT. If the paragraph includes material irrelevant to the generalization, the reader will consider it illogical.

Relevant and Irrelevant Data

In a good paragraph of generalization, all the materials support the generalization. Find the IRRELEVANT material in the following:

A. Generalization:

The President of the United States has many powers.

Supporting Evidence:

1.The President can veto bills passed by the Congress.

2.The President appoints the members of the Supreme Court.

3.More Presidents have come from Virginia than from any other state.

4.The President is the Chief of the Cabinet.

5.The President is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

B. Generalization:

Americans are very extravagant about their pets.

Supporting evidence:

1.In 1966 Americans spent $3 billion on dogs, dog food, and things for their dogs.

2.It is possible to find a psychiatrist, or a hairdresser for dogs in many U. S. cities.

3.The amount of money spent on pets in the U. S. is expanding at the rate of 30 percent per year.

4.Children should be taught to love animals.

A cook for dogs tells how to feed dogs five-course meals.

Exercise 22. Read the following information about pioneer life in the United States.

1.The women did most of the doctoring and nursing.

2.Children often could not go to school; some were taught to read and write at home by their mothers.

3.Each member of the family shared the work.

4.The women, girls, and young children did the cooking, and made soap and candies.

5.Frequently the women of the family worked alongside the men in the fields.

6.All the family's clothing was made in the home.

7.The cabin was usually built close to a stream because it was dangerous for the mother and children to have to go far into the forest for water.

8.When the father was away from the cabin hunting, the mother always kept a rifle close at hand in case of Indian attack.

A. On the basis of this information, make a GENERALIZATION about pioneer life in the United States.

B. Is your GENERALIZATION a FACT or an OPINION?

C. Write a paragraph using the following organization.

Some content vocabulary you may want to use:

cooperate independent industrious

cooperative hardworking independence

self-sufficient indispensable

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