• Level of generality
• A paragraph usually contains statements at varying levels of generality. One statement is more general than another if it refers to a larger number of specific cases or if it attempts to cover a wider range; similarly, if a statement carries a smaller portion of the total message, it tends to be more specific.
• Sentence 2. The particular instances are inadequate to support the general conclusion, so this statement has a problem of hasty generalization.
• Please make a conclusion from the two sentences.
• Thus we can say that the level of generality depends on the context.
• 3. Rearrange these sentences to make a welldeveloped passage ending with the most general statement. Use linking words where necessary.
• Look at the following groups of sentences. In each group one sentence is a generalization and the other three are supporting examples. Please find out the generalization.
• Besides, the sentence “Television has bad effects on people” is an example in Group 1 and a generalization in Group 2. Similarly, the sentence “Television commercials distort the truth about products” is an example in Group 2 and a generalization in Group 3.
Generalization
• On many an occasion, paragraphs develop by beginning with specific instances and drawing from them a general truth or ending with a topic sentence that clearly states the main point of the paragraph. The way of arriving at conclusions is the process of induction which consists in forming generalizations from a sufficient number of observed instances.
• Both are faulty generalizations. • Sentence 1. The sentence moves from some
Americans to a conclusion drawn on all Americans. This is a problem of overgeneralization.
English Writing
Unit 10 Generalization
• Paragraph development by generalization is very much like paragraph development by examples. Both make use of developers. One difference is that the general idea is stated as a conclusion based on several examples, given as facts or opinions, which lead the reader to make the same conclusion.
• Faulty generalization is one of the commonest logical fallacies, sometimes called the hasty or unqualified generalization. It can frequently be traced to the unqualified use of such absolute words as all, always, anyone, best, every, everyone, everything, greatest, least, most, never, no, none, nothing and worst.
• The broader the generalization, the more likely it is in error.
• Linking Devices
• According to the two samples, please answer the questions.
• Which paragraph do you find easier to read? Why?
• Reference answer:
• What’s the effect of the mass media? Toothpaste does not make teeth white; the safety of electrical goods is exaggerated; many widely-advertised pain-killers are not effective. In fact, television commercials often distort the truth about products. Besides, crime films on
• In many cases, eliminating the unqualified word solves the problem. It is very difficult to make a generalization that is airtight, especially regarding a controversial topic. So we should be aware of this fact and try to make our generalizations as limited as possible.
• 2.On TV, I saw George Bush signing documents with his left hand. I saw Ronald Reagan signing documents with his left hand. I saw Bill Clinton signing documents with his left hand during his recent trip to China. Clearly, all American presidents are left-handed.
• television encourage violence and television documentaries stop people from thinking independently, which shows that television has bad effects on people. Furthermore, the fact that newspapers only give sensational news and radio programs are usually superficial proves that mass media are often badly used.
• Now, work in groups and find out those words or phrases that indicate relationships between specific details and general information.
• Questions
• 1. Underline the generalization in each group.
• Group 1: The mass media are often badly used.
• Group 2: Television has bad effects on people.
• Paragraph B is easier to understand and smoother to read, because it has the sentences linked together by sentence connectors, which make the writing more coherent.

• Faulty Generalization
• Read the following sentences, and decide whether they are good generalization. If not, give your reason(s).