Reading Strategy: Synthesize

A generalization is a statement that applies to many situations. When you read, you may form generalizations. Take ideas from the text, along with your own knowledge, and form a new idea that applies to many situations.

Reading Strategy Synthesize
    How to Form Generalizations

  • 1. As you read, look for details that are about the same idea.

  • 2. Add related examples from your own experience or knowledge.

  • 3. Create a statement that seems true for both the author’s examples and your examples.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student formed a generalization.

Look Into the Text

One of my favorite trips was to Bali. It is an island in Indonesia that is famous for its wooden masks. There I learned how to carve wooden masks.

Carving masks is hard work. After the masks are carved, artists paint them with many colors. They use 15 to 20 coats of paint to get each mask just right. Some artists add hair or jewels.

“The text gives details about making masks.”

Generalization Chart
Details in Text:
Carving masks is hard. Artists paint them with many coats of paint. Some artists add decorations.
My Experiences:
I make bracelets. It takes a lot of work to get them just right. The bracelets are so pretty that it is worth the time.
Generalization:
People will spend a lot of time to make something if they like what they make.

Practice Together

Reread the passage above and follow the steps in the How-To box to make another generalization. Record the information in a Generalization Chart.