1. Critical Thinking (Chapter 7)
Kathleen High

2. Elements of Thinking Becoming a Critical Thinker Don’t Fool Yourself:
Common Mistakes in Logic
Gaining Skill at Decision Making
Four Ways to Solve Problems

3. Becoming a Critical Thinker: (Using the LSI Method)
ASK:
WHY: Why am I considering the issue?
WHAT: What are the various points of view?
HOW: How well is each point of view supported?
WHAT IF: What if I could combine various points of view or create a new one?

4. Don’t Fool Yourself: Common Mistakes in Logic
Jumping to Conclusions
Attacking the Person
Appealing to Authority
Pointing to a False Cause
Thinking in “All or Nothing” Terms
Basing Arguments on Emotion
Using a Faulty Analogy
Preview –
Survey entire book
Keep it short
Look for familiar concepts
Summaries
Chapter headlines/section titles & paragraph headlines
Look for recommended readings
Determine strategy – skimming or all 9 steps
Step 2: Outline
Complex – take time to understand
Section Titles & paragraphs serve as outline guides
Use outline format for you
Step 3: Question
Before begin – what you want?
Write down questions
If irrelevant, ask what you want from school (jumping through hoops)
Playful/creative questions
Lots of time for some subjects

5. Don’t Fool Yourself (Cont’d)
Creating a Straw Man
Begging the Question
Confusing Fact and Opinion
Creating a Red Herring
Appealing to Tradition
Appealing to “The People”
Distracting from the Real Issue
Sliding a Slippery Slope
Preview –
Survey entire book
Keep it short
Look for familiar concepts
Summaries
Chapter headlines/section titles & paragraph headlines
Look for recommended readings
Determine strategy – skimming or all 9 steps
Step 2: Outline
Complex – take time to understand
Section Titles & paragraphs serve as outline guides
Use outline format for you
Step 3: Question
Before begin – what you want?
Write down questions
If irrelevant, ask what you want from school (jumping through hoops)
Playful/creative questions
Lots of time for some subjects

6. Gaining Skill at Decision Making
Recognize Decisions
Establish Priorities
Base Your Decision on a Life Plan
Balance Learning Styles When Making Decisions
Choose an Overall Strategy
Use Time as an Ally
Use Intuition
Evaluate Your Decision
Think Choices

7. Four Ways to Solve Problems:
Define the Problem
Generate Possibilities
Create a Plan
Perform Your Plan