1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. B_BELIEV.txt File Contents

B_BELIEV.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

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Can You Believe It?

People use words in many powerful ways -- often without thinking about what they're really saying or writing. They may make sweeping generalizations or use cliches. If you can recognize how words are being used, you will be able to think and write more clearly.

Sweeping Generalizations

Sometimes people make sweeping statements like "All teenagers are wild drivers!" or "School cafeteria food is always awful!" When people make statements like these, they don't consider all the facts. They draw a conclusion on the basis of only a few examples.

Sweeping statements need to be qualified with words like a few, some, or sometimes.

"I have seen a few wild teenage drivers."

"School cafeteria food is sometimes awful."

"Some schools have awful cafeteria food."

For each of the sweeping generalizations below, insert words that qualify the statements. Delete any unnecessary words.

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Little brothers and sisters are obnoxious pests!

Parents never let their children make their own decisions.

If I'm elected U.S. Senator, all of these problems will be solved.

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Use the space below to write two new examples of sweeping generalizations.

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Now go back and insert words to qualify those statements.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Cliches

Cliches are trite, overused expressions that oversimplify a particular situation. They are a way of generalizing without enough data. Here is an example:

"Like father, like son."

This may sound like "truth," but the speaker/writer has probably not examined all the evidence or data. It is a very simplified attempt to explain the behavior of the son in terms of the father's behavior. Here is another example:

"She's cool as a cucumber."

Again, the speaker/writer has chosen a very unoriginal way to describe a person. This expression is so overused that it has lost its meaning and freshness.

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After each cliche below, rewrite the statement to give a more specific explanation or description. The first one is done for you.

1) She's as brave as a lion.

No one knew how much she wanted to run, to scream. Still, she remained, unmoving and resolute. When the time came, she simply answered "yes" in a firm, dignified voice.

2) He's as changeable as the tides.

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3) It happened quick as a wink!

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4) A penny saved is a penny earned.

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Read the paragraph below. Notice the cliches, which are in upper case letters. Make a copy of the paragraph using the copy feature. (Select the text, then press ctrl+C. Move the cursor to a blank line, then press ctrl+V to paste.) Then revise the paragraph using words that more precisely explain or describe the situation. Add any information that will make the paragraph clear and more effective.

As long as he could remember, he had been HAPPY AS A LARK. His parents had told him he would always be FREE AS THE BREEZE. His teachers had stated he was BUSY AS A BEE. Indeed, he had come to believe that his life was in APPLE PIE ORDER. So what was happening? Now everyone claimed he was CRAZIER THAN A LOON!

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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