How to Make Generalizations
Generalizations are a special type of conclusion that you can make based on multiple forms
of evidence. What makes a generalization different from a plain conclusion is that a
generalization is a broad statement based on multiple numbers of examples or presented
facts. Basically, generalizations are statements that may imply or include ideas based on a
string of evidence.
You can recognize generalizations based on key clue words such as:
Clue Words
• All
• Most
• Many
• Always
• Some
• Usually
• Generally
• In General
• None
• Everyone
• No One
• Never
• Sometimes
• Seldom
• Few
• Overall
Examples:
• All presidents always have worked in the Executive Department
• All states typically have a system of government based on the federal system of checks
and balances and separation of power.
• The climate in South Texas is typically warmer than the states in New England.
Working With Generalizations:
For the following, let's use the following prompt:
A valid generalization about presidential elections since 1960 is that When we break down the prompt, it can look like this:
Skill I Need
What
When
A valid generalization about presidential elections since 1960 is -
The prompt is asking us to accomplish the following:
• the examination of presidential elections since 1960 in the United States.
• find out what they have in common (trends / issues / patterns)
• based on the evidence, make a generalization
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How to Make Generalizations
For this prompt, I can recall the following trends/patterns:
• In general, voter turnout has declined over time for presidential elections
• Generally, the US has experienced waves of conservatism and liberalism since 1960
• Overall, Third Parties have influenced the outcome of close elections since 1960
• Media has generally played an important role in the elections since 1960
• Online presence is becoming more important when people are running for President
In the examples provided above, all statements are generalizations based on trends and
patterns that we have gathered over the course of the year. Now, we can answer the
prompt! One last important thing to remember is that generalizations can take many
different forms ranging from maps to excerpts from a speech. When faced with a
generalization,
make a quick list of the trends/patterns over time in order to reach
your
UNITED%STATES%HISTORY%TEST%BANK%
Economics"17(A)
answer!
485%
The"posters"below"were"produced"by"the"U.S."government"during"World"War"II"
"
Based onWhich"generalization"is"supported"by"the"information"on"these"posters?"
your historical knowledge, what generalization can you make about the posters?
A do
Women"refused"to"volunteer"to"assist"in"the"war"effort."
I see in the left poster?
• What
I see in the right poster?
• What
B do
The"government"urged"women"to"fill"jobs"left"vacant"by"men."
do
I see in both posters?
• What
C The"government"tried"to"recruit"women"for"combat"in"the"war."
• When do I think these posters were created? What is my evidence?
D do
Female"military"officers"commanded"both"male"and"female"troops."
I remember about the time period (era) when these posters were created?
• What
• How do these posters relate to what I remember?
• What generalization can I make about these posters and how they relate to the past?
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Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.