Learning to Think Critically

Overview What is thinking? How does thinking affect decision making? How does thinking affect problem solving? What is critical thinking? Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Overview What is critical reading? What are the parts of thinking? What are the standards for critical thinking? How do good questions support critical thinking? Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Quick Write What was the last great movie you saw? What did you like about it? What was memorable about the movie? Why would you recommend the flick to your friends? Write five sentences that tell why you thought the film was good Share your thoughts with a partner How are your standards for movies the same as your partner’s? How are they different? Chapter 1, Lesson 3

We Are All Thinkers Thinking is a function of your mind that makes sense of the events of your life and helps you figure out what is going on around you Graphic #20714138 www.clipart.com Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Stopping to Reflect Reflection is the process of making sense of the world by thinking To be a good thinker or communicator, you have to stop and reflect on how the world has impressed you In other words, to really think, you have to stop and think about what you think Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Your Brain Thinks, Feels and Wants Thinking is one of the brain’s three major functions—the other two are feeling and wanting. Chapter 1, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Thinking Clearly Sometimes it is hard to separate what you think from what you feel But with practice, you can learn to think clearly CLEAR THINKING ↓ ↓ Decision Making Problem Solving Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Barriers to Good Thinking Decision Making Good Thinking Barriers to Good Thinking Decision based on reason Rational life reflecting pattern of thoughtful decisions Irrational decisions Complicate your life/harm others Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Steps to Good Decisions State the situation List all possibilities or options Think about possible complications Sort or judge the alternatives systematically Take your time Discuss the issue with people you trust Conduct research if necessary Make a decision and act, then evaluate Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Problem Solving Putting your thinking to work to weigh options and come up with solutions Chapter 1, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Critical Thinking Helps You Solve Problems Critical thinking is the ability to explore an issue, problem, decision, or option from many angles Critical thinking involves analysis—the process of breaking down an issue to figure out its nature and how it works Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Build Critical Thinking Skills Hold back your emotions about the subject Look at the subject from different points of view Break down information Ask probing questions Solve problems systematically Separate facts from opinions Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Critical Reading Who? When? What? Why? How? What does it all mean? Chapter 1, Lesson 3 Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

Parts of Thinking PARTS OF THINKING governed by CONCEPTS and THEORIES come up with SOLUTIONS and OUTCOMES whenever we think we think for a PURPOSE within a POINT of VIEW to make INFERENCES and JUDGMENTS we use DATA and FACTS leading to IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES based on ASSUMPTIONS Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Standards for Critical Thinking Clarity Is the language used to express the thought clear? Is it focused? Accuracy Is the statement true? Precision Is the thought specific enough? Relevance Does the thought apply well to the issue in question? Depth Does the idea dig into the issue’s complexities or just glance off the surface? Breadth Does the thought consider other points of view? Logic Does the thinking follow from solid premises? Significance Is the thinking important enough to be included in the deeper discussion? Fairness Is the thought balanced and based on truth? Chapter 1, Lesson 3 Adapted from Critical Thinking Paul and Edler ©2001 Prentice Hall

Good Questions Support Good Thinking Three Kinds of Questions Question of Fact requires evidence and reasoning within a system a correct answer leads to development of knowledge Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Good Questions Support Good Thinking Three Kinds of Questions Question of Preference asks for the listener to state a choice an individual, subjective opinion cannot judge or prove right or wrong Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Good Questions Support Good Thinking Three Kinds of Questions Question of Judgment requires evidence and reasoning within multiple systems some answers are better than others asking for a judgment call Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Review Critical thinking is the ability to explore an issue, problem, decision, or option from many angles Thinking affects decision-making and problem solving Problem solving also depends on good thinking, as you weigh options, look for new possibilities and come up with a solution Critical reading demands that you think about what you read, ask questions, and develop your own understanding of the writer’s words Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Review Parts of thinking: purpose, point of view, assumptions, implications, data and facts, inferences, theories, and solutions Standards for thinking: clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, fairness Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Review Asking good questions is important for critical thinking, but avoid dead questions Good questions fall into three categories: questions of fact, questions of preference, and questions of judgment Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Summary What is thinking? How does thinking affect decision making? How does thinking affect problem solving? What is critical thinking? Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Summary What is critical reading? What are the parts of thinking? What are the standards for critical thinking? How do good questions support critical thinking? Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Next Done—critical thinking Next—the basic checklist for communication Chapter 1, Lesson 3 Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com