1. Elements of Critical Thinking

2. Why do we employ elements of reasoning?
Enable us to:
Examine others’ ideas critically and objectively; prevents habitual and enculturated autopilot non-critical thinking patterns
Identify barriers, filters, impediments, biases, predispositions that affect our POV and others’
Think mindfully and to demonstrate fair-mindedness (vs. the above)

3. Nosich focuses not on the writing that comes out but on the thinking that leads to it
Purpose: p. 50
Question at Issue I): p. 51
Assumptions: p. 52
Implications, Consequences, Outcomes: p. 53
Information: p. 55
Concepts: p. 56
Conclusions, Interpretations, Decisions: p. 57
Point of View (POV): p. 59
Alternatives: p. 61
Context: p. 62

4. Whenever we think, we think for a purpose within a point of view based on assumptions leading to implications and consequences. We use concepts, ideas, and theories to interpret data, facts, and experiences in order to answer questions, solve problems, and resolve issues.

5. Two ways to see the elements from Paul & Elder, Foundation for CT:
Alternatives
Context

6. or from your point of view:
Alternatives
Context

7. Additional Terms You May Use
Reasons/Reasoning—describes the process of thinking
Claims (theses based on your assumptions that you try to “prove”)
Arguments (assertions made with theses and support)
Hypotheses (assumptions based on evidence and testing that you prove or disprove)
Most of these terms are involved with what we call a deductive or thesis-driven way of thinking—one that attempts to eliminate possibilities. Initially, we’re going to avoid deductive organization.

8. Thinking critically is messy, non-linear, and recursive
Purpose
Conclusions, Interpretations, Decisions
POV
Assumptions
Information
Alternatives
Concepts
Q at I
Implications, Consequences, Outcomes
Barriers, Filters Biases, Pre-dispositions

9. Going around the circle
Can start on any slice
Gets easier as you repeat it
Often shows you which areas will be most productive to work with (not always the ones where the answers come most easily . . .)
Generates lots of raw material to draft from—gives you luxury of selecting the best
Use Nosich p. 68 for a list of questions to ask

10. Prewriting for Paper 1

11. Mastering these concepts
Practice, practice, practice until this starts to feel comfortable.
Trust the process.
Refer to the text often when an element gives you difficulty.
Look at Nosich p. 68 as a self-test: what you should be able to understand and do.