Example: general to particular

Writing is a complex sociocognitive process involving the construction of recorded

messages on paper or on some other material, and, more recently, on a computer screen.
The skills needed to write range from making the appropriate graphic marks, through
utilizing the resources of the chosen language, to anticipating the reactions of the intended
readers. The first skill area involves acquiring a writing system, which may be alphabetic (as
in European languages) or nonalphabetic (as in many Asian languages). The second skill
area requires selecting the appropriate grammar and vocabulary to form acceptable
sentences and then arranging them in paragraphs. Third, writing involves thinking about
the purpose of the text to be composed and about its possible effects on the intended
readership. One important aspect of this last feature is the choice of a suitable style.
Because of these characteristics, writing is not an innate natural ability like speaking but
has to be acquired through years of training or schooling (Swales & Feak, 1994, p. 34).

In this example, the first sentence presents the general statement about the writing
process. The succeeding statements consist of details and examples, introduced by the
transitions first, second, and third. Finally, the pattern ends with a broad or general

statement that summarizes what the writer wishes to conclude about the meaning of the
details.

General and specific statements

In order to answer the questions about the text
successfully, we need to understand the question and
identify what kind of information is being asked: general
or specific.

Specific information refers to exact, precise fact or

description of something mentioned in the text.
 General information is normally vague and represents
a broad description of something. For example:

1. School children do not like reading books.

2. Brian is in 5th grade and hates reading poems.

Example 1 is a general statement as it talks about ALL

the school children. Example 2 is very specific as it talks
about a particular student and his likes.

General ideas and the statements that express them are kind of like umbrellas. They
cover broad categories or groups of people or things and usually express the overall
aspects, characteristics, or elements of these categories or groups. General ideas tend to
communicate broad topics that need to be explained further if readers are to understand
them in depth.
For example, the general idea above that cats are creatures of habit refers to a broad
group, cats, and to an overall characteristic of cats, that they are creatures of habit. If
readers are to understand exactly how and why cats are creatures of habit, the writer
will have to give more information to support the general idea.
Specific ideas and statements offer that support. They usually clarify, explain, and
illustrate general ideas and statements by referring to particular individuals, ideas, or
things. They also tend to express distinct characteristics that define those individuals,
ideas, and things.

Relationships Between General & Specific Ideas

General ideas usually express the main point or main idea of a piece of writing. They present the
topic of a paragraph, essay, or book and make a statement about it, usually a claim that needs to be
proven. The general statement we've been examining does exactly that. It makes a claim that
requires proof: 'Cats are creatures of habit.'

Specific ideas provide evidence to further define the general or main idea and prove that it is valid.
This evidence can take many forms: examples, anecdotes, logical reasons, facts, statistics, and
expert testimony. For instance, the specific statement about Sadie the cat offers an example that
proves the point that cats are creatures of habit.

To further convince readers of the truth of that general idea, however, we need to provide a few
more specific ideas. We might offer some statistical information like this:

In a recent survey of hundreds of cat owners, more than 90% indicated that their cats demanded
to be fed at the same time every day, and more than 95% said that their cats sleep in the same
spots day after day.