What Does It Mean to Draw a Conclusion?

Drawing a conclusion involves processing information and coming to a reasonable deduction or inference from the data or material presented to you. You must consider all the available data and avoid fallacious generalizations to reach your conclusion.

The Facts

• To draw a conclusion, you must look at the instances or facts of a story, argument or premise. To draw an unbiased conclusion, do not overlook some of the facts or make up instances where something occurs.

Knowledge Base

• Use the what you know to be true (in conjunction with the facts) to draw your conclusion. Past experiences can help you make connections between pieces of information in the story, argument or premise.

Fallacious Generalizations

• Fallacies are misconceptions resulting from incorrect reasoning. Fallacious generalizations occur in two ways: when you make a hasty generalization (there are not enough facts to draw a conclusion) or a sweeping generalization (there are enough facts to draw a conclusion, but the conclusion drawn goes beyond the facts presented).