An author presents a variety of information and makes a generalization about a particular subject.

An author presents a variety of information and makes a generalization about a particular subject.

• A. Facts
• B. Inferences
• C. Opinions
• D. Generalizations

Answer: (D)

Recognizing when an author makes a generalization. A generalization is a broad statement about a whole subject that follows from presenting a range of information. When an author surveys various facts and then asserts something that applies to the entire subject, they are generalizing. Facts are the specific details used; they can support a generalization but aren’t the sweeping claim themselves. Inferences are conclusions drawn from the information, which can be about specifics or the general topic, but they aren’t the explicit broad claim unless the author states it as such. Opinions are personal judgments, not universal statements. So, after presenting diverse information, making a broad claim about the subject is exactly a generalization.

Recognizing when an author makes a generalization. A generalization is a broad statement about a whole subject that follows from presenting a range of information. When an author surveys various facts and then asserts something that applies to the entire subject, they are generalizing. Facts are the specific details used; they can support a generalization but aren’t the sweeping claim themselves. Inferences are conclusions drawn from the information, which can be about specifics or the general topic, but they aren’t the explicit broad claim unless the author states it as such. Opinions are personal judgments, not universal statements. So, after presenting diverse information, making a broad claim about the subject is exactly a generalization.