GENERALIZATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

GENERALIZATIONS AND DRAWING CONCLUSIONS When you read, you look for clues to help you decide what is happening in the story. Sometimes the author does not tell you everything that is happening in the story. You have to think about the facts that are given and then make a generalization or draw a conclusion.

GENERALIZATIONS AND DRAWING CONCLUSIONS You must base your generalization or conclusion on the facts in the story and your own experiences. A generalization or a conclusion must be supported by strong evidence. We all generalize all the time. If you didn't generalize, you would have to stick your hand in every fire to see if it was hot. If you went to Mexico, you would have to try many different languages until you found one that people understood. You wouldn't be allowed to assume that most people in Mexico speak Spanish. Generalizing is how we make sense of the world.

GENERALIZATIONS AND DRAWING CONCLUSIONS What is the difference between a generalization and a conclusion Now that's a bit tricky to explain. When you make a generalization, you will always draw a conclusion at the same time. But, you can draw a conclusion without making a generalization. Conclusions are more specific and generalizations have a larger application; they are more general. Perhaps, an example will best show the difference.

After breakfast, the Townsdin children piled in the car. Mrs. Townsdin took Beth to the Hunters home where she had a babysitting job. Then she dropped off Matthew at the swimming pool where he helped teach swimming lessons. Next, Mrs. Townsdin drove Lara and Suzanne to the mall where they had some shopping to do. While her children were at their different activities, Mrs. Townsdin plans to do her grocery shopping. What conclusions can you draw from this passage You can conclude that there are four children in the Townsdin family, Beth, Matthew, Lara, and Suzanne.

After breakfast, the Townsdin children piled in the car. Mrs. Townsdin took Beth to the Hunters home where she had a babysitting job. Then she dropped off Matthew at the swimming pool where he helped teach swimming lessons. Next, Mrs. Townsdin drove Lara and Suzanne to the mall where they had some shopping to do. While her children were at their different activities, Mrs. Townsdin plans to do her grocery shopping. What generalization can you make based on this passage The Townsdin family had a very busy day planned.

Rachel has two sisters and three brothers. They all live together with their mom and dad in Roxton, Texas. In a months time, the family will drink thirty gallons of milk, eat at least ten pounds of cheese, and eat close to forty pounds of meat. They go through ten large boxes of cereal each month, as well as twenty pounds of pasta, five pounds of rice, and over one hundred pounds of fruits and vegetables. What conclusions can you draw from this passage You can conclude that there are eight people in Rachel's family, six children and two adults.

Rachel has two sisters and three brothers. They all live together with their mom and dad in Roxton, Texas. In a months time, the family will drink thirty gallons of milk, eat at least ten pounds of cheese, and eat close to forty pounds of meat. They go through ten large boxes of cereal each month, as well as twenty pounds of pasta, five pounds of rice, and over one hundred pounds of fruits and vegetables. What generalizations can you make based on this passage A large family eats a lot of food in a months time.