Writing Practice  

                                                Inductive  Generalization

1. A brief introduction

In developing a paragraph by means of the inductive generalization, the writer presents particular instances of a like kind and leads them into valid generalization which serves as his topic sentences. Thus, in the inductive pattern, the topic sentence is likely to appear late in the paragraph, often at the end. The result may be referred to as a periodic paragraph, which, like a periodic sentence, cannot be considered structurally complete at any point before the end.

2. An example

    As an early-morning pastime, Susie, my tortoise-colored kitten, would frequent the utility room, swing open the small metal door on the gas heater, and peer at the mechanism inside. During the daytime her favorite toy was not the usual ball of the yarn, but a small musical top. And late at night, when there was sometimes a gentle tapping in the study next of my bedroom, the cause proved the same: in the darkness a soft little paw was playing feline rhythms on the keys of my typewriter. For a kitten, Susie had an unusual interest in mechanical things.

Homework  

(Directions: )

You are required to write a paragraph with the method of  Inductive Generalization . You can describe a person or a device. You can arrange the topic sentence at the end of your writing after you offer some details of the subject you describe.

         Wu Yan is a student of Southeast University. She is the monitor of our class. Every morning, she gets up at about 6:30. Then she goes to do some running on the playground. She is always the first person in the classroom. In class, she listens to the lecture carefully and takes an active part in all the activities by teachers. After class, she often reviews and previews the lessons and finishes her homework on time. Besides, she is too ready to help others. Whenever her classmates ask her some academic questions, she is always willing to help them until they understand. Furthermore, she often takes part in some social activities. That’s why all the students and teachers regard her as an excellent student.