Critical Thinking Process Chapter 3

A Process of Critical Thinking, pg. 37 Critical Thinking Skill Definition Application for Readers Application for Writers Analysis Breaking down information into parts and elements Analyzing the information in articles, reports, and books to grasp the facts and concepts they contain Analyzing events, ideas, processes, and structures to understand them and explain to readers Synthesis Putting together elements and parts to form new wholes Synthesizing information from several sources, examining implications, and drawing conclusions supported by reliable evidence Synthesizing source materials with your own thoughts in order to convey the unique combination to others Evaluation Judging according to standards and criteria Evaluating a reading by determining standards for judging, applying them to reading, and arriving at a conclusion about its value, significance, or credibility Evaluating something in writing by convincing readers that your standards are reasonable and that the subject either does or does not meet those standards Understanding analysis: read and write a summary or paraphrase of the reading. Synthesis:

Critically Thinking for College Think: Critically consider a topic or problem Read: Critically read relevant sources or information Write: Present information and arguments that will pass the critical scrutiny of readers Think: Critically reflect on your own thinking, reading, and writing skills

Supporting Critical Thinking with Evidence Your challenge in writing a college paper is to not just think clearly but to demonstrate your thinking to others, to persuade them to pay attention to what you say.  Evidence- anything that demonstrates the soundness of a claim. Supports your main idea or thesis- convincing readers by substantiating your points Bolsters your credibility as a writer- demonstrating the merit of your position Four Reliable Forms of Evidence Facts Statistics Expert Testimony Firsthand Observations

Types of Evidence Facts expressed as numbers. Statistics Facts expressed as numbers.  Most writers, without trying to be dishonest, interpret statistics to help their causes.  Review the statistics on the Harper’s Index to see how the magazine displays the statistics used in the articles.   Statements that can be verified objectively, by observation or by reading a reliable account.  When you think critically you should avoid treating opinions, beliefs, judgments, or personal experience as true like facts or events.  A kilometer is 1,000  meters. True based on the metric system My favorite food is pizza. True as an opinion 

Types of Evidence Expert Testimony Who are experts? Newspapers and magazines containing news - Articles are written by reporters who may or may not be experts in the field of the article. Consequently, articles may contain incorrect information.  Journals containing articles written by academics and/or professionals — Although the articles are written by “experts,” any particular “expert” may have some ideas that are really “out there!” Is the work of the expert peer-reviewed?  Peer-reviewed (refereed or scholarly) journals - Articles are written by experts and are reviewed by several other experts in the field before the article is published in the journal in order to insure the article’s quality. (The article is more likely to be scientifically valid, reach reasonable conclusions, etc.) In most cases the reviewers do not know who the author of the article is, so that the article succeeds or fails on its own merit, not the reputation of the expert.

Types of Evidence Firsthand Observations Personal observations are persuasive, but not the most reliable.   Many times, what we see is not 100% accurate.   There may be other factors going on that we, as the individual, do not know about.   If one of the football players that had concussion injures came forth and testified against the NFL, how accurate would their testimony be without any medical documentation to back up their personal experience?   Thus, if you are going to use personal experience make sure to include other sources that back up yours! 

Ethos, Pathos, and Logos There are different reasons and ways we can use the evidence we have to deliberately persuade our audience to agree with our main idea, point, thesis. Ethos- Ethically Pathos- Personally Logos- Logically