Transcript Making Generalizations

What is a generalization?
• A generalization is a broad
statement about a group of
people, things, or ideas.
• It states something they have in
common.
Valid Generalizations
• Valid means true.
–Supported by facts
–Uses logic and reasoning
–Proven with several examples
Faulty Generalizations
• Faulty means false.
–Not supported by facts
–Watch for the key words: none,
all, always, never, everyone,
nobody
Chocolate is everyone’s favorite desert.
• What is wrong with this
generalization?
• How could you make it a valid
generalization?
Write a generalization about baby
alligators.
Write a valid generalization about
how food can be used creatively.
Practice Passage #1:
Ginger is one of my best friends.
When I enter my home, she races to
greet me with kisses and excited leaps.
She acts like it’s been eight days since
she’s seen me, instead of the actual
eight hours. Her coat is honey brown;
her eyes are large and loving.
She’s a six- month old cocker spaniel
puppy, a breed originally intended to
hunt birds in England. Her faithful
companionship comforts me when
I’m sad or sick. Her playfulness
makes me laugh when she races
after a toy I’ve tossed. Cocker
spaniels make perfect pets.
What generalization is made in the
passage?
What generalization is made in the
passage?
• Cocker spaniels make perfect pets.
Cocker Spaniels make perfect pets.
• Is this a valid generalization?
• Does the author:
–Use facts to support the idea?
–Share past experiences to support
the idea?
–Provide several examples?
–Use logical thinking?
Ginger is one of my best friends.
When I enter my home, she races to
greet me with kisses and excited
leaps. She acts like it’s been eight
days since she’s seen me, instead of
the actual eight hours. Her coat is
honey brown; her eyes are large and
loving.
She’s a six- month old cocker spaniel
puppy, a breed originally intended to
hunt birds in England. Her faithful
companionship comforts me when
I’m sad or sick. Her playfulness
makes me laugh when she races
after a toy I’ve tossed. Cocker
spaniels make perfect pets.
Practice #2:
Dolphins in the Military
The newest members of the U.S. military forces
aren’t soldiers. They aren’t even human.
They’re dolphins! Specially trained Atlantic
bottle-nosed dolphins have arrived in the
Persian Gulf to help check for mines, or
underwater explosives, along Iraq’s coastline.
Once they’re finished, ships will be able to
safely transport food and medicine to the Iraqi
people.
Makai and Tacoma Ready For Action
The dolphins, named Makai and Tacoma,
were flown into the Iraqi port city of
Umm Qasr by U.S. Navy helicopters
Tuesday night. They were expected to
begin searching for mines along with
military divers on Wednesday, according
to several news reports.
Which is the Valid Generalization?
• All dolphins are trained to work with the
military.
• The military use some dolphins to help locate
underwater mines.
Practice #3: Dolphins at Work
The dolphins, which came from San Diego,
California, are are trained to place markers
near the mines they find. They are taught to
avoid touching or swimming to the mines,
which might cause them to explode, said
Navy Captain Mike Tillotson. While Tillotson
said there was little risk to animals doing this
kind of work, some animal activists are
speaking out against the plan. They worry
the dolphins could get hurt.
Underwater Helpers
A unit of 70 dolphins and 20 sea lions
has been trained by the U.S. Navy to
spot underwater mines and bombs in
deep waters. The sea lions are
trained to alert humans when they
detect an intruding diver.
Underwater Helpers
This is not the first time dolphins have
helped out U.S. military efforts. The Navy
started using dolphins in the early 1960s,
when researchers began looking into
how the dolphins' sonar, their ability to
identify objects based on sound waves,
could be used to locate mines and do
other underwater tasks. The dolphins
returned to action during the Vietnam
War and again in the 1990-1991 Gulf
War.
Valid or Faulty Generalization?
All dolphins are trained to help military personnel
detect mines in the waterways of Iraq.
• A. This generalization is valid. It is supported by facts
and examples.
• B. This generalization is faulty. The reader made an
error and did not re-read to check the facts.
Which is a Valid Generalization?
• Military divers train some
animals to help with
dangers missions.
• Military forces train
dolphins for work in
underwater mine fields.
Remember:
• Generalizations make broad
statements
• Some are valid, others are faulty.
• Valid generalizations are supported
by facts, examples, and logical
thinking. [evidence]
• Watch out for words like all or never.
THE END.