Critical Thinking
what is critical thinking?
some we unreflectively obey
some we unreflectively reject
some message we just ignore
Others we might think about and question, asking "why should I door not do it?" Why should I believe it or not?
definitons
It includes a commitment to using reason in the formulation of our beliefs
Critical thinking is a cognitive process that uses a wide range of skills to identify and evaluate information and arguments to reach an answer or a conclusion
It is a reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do
Critical thinking is that mode of thinking-about any subject, content, or problem-in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it . Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self corrective thinking.
It is correct assessing of statements
key words
analyze
belief
statement
reasons
arguments
evaluate
identify
conclusion
information
assess
Critical thinker should know how to
Discover and overcome biases and prejudices
Make arguments based on logical, well-supported evidence
Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments
Make judgments based on reason and evidence, not emotion orprejudice
How to think critically about others' academic writing
Identify and score evidence
Locate and assess conclusions
Recognize and evaluate arguments
Discover personal prejudices and bias
An angle or point of view
A position that is being defended
A line of reasoning
A case that is being made, backed up by evidence and examples, and leading to conclusions
Names
Numbers
Examples
Senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
Reasons
Conclusions are usually at the end
Conclusions are usually indicated by trigger words, such as therefore, so, hence, thus, it is clear that......Or by imperatives - words indicating that something has to be done - like, must, should, need to