When you are making a generalization what does it require?
Few details!!
Generalization: If it weren't for all those old retired people, this town would be safer to drive in.
Generalization: All teenagers want to do is party and live off their parents.
What others can you think of?
Generalization: if it weren't for GPS we would not know where to go.
Yes, good.
Also ... generalizing is one of the major fallacies you'll read and hear throughout our society, on the news, etc.
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/fallacies/
The first fallacy that's explained here (scroll down a bit) is that of hasty generalizations.
ok thank you again! So the answer would be making a broad statement based on evidence?
... based on not much!
... based on stereotyping?
here are the answers i have to choose from, a. making a broad statement based on evidence
b. drawing a conclusion based only on your own experiences
c. making a prediction about what will happen
d. finding details in a story that support the ideas you already have
If you were to use the term "evidence," then the sentence I gave you would have numbers in them (percentages or something).
Ex:
After 50% of the drivers over age 65 in Everytown failed their driver test when renewing their licenses, I understood why it was so dangerous to drive in this town.
(Or something like that.)
I'd say b.
Generalizations are not usually based on good evidence!
What if the retired people had a bad overall driving record in my town but not in anyone else's?