1. Characteristics Generate as many characteristics of critical thinking and a critical thinker as possible.

2. With a partner... Look at the items on your lists and take all of those characteristics and break them down into a Top 5 list.

3. In a group of 4… Compare your Top 5 lists noting the similarities and differences and create a super Top 5 list to share with the group as a whole.

4. Characteristics Critical thinkers are skeptical, open-minded, value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason leads them to do so.

5. Arguments Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments.

6. Argument Criteria Arguments and thoughts meet a certain criteria. While critical thinking may have different criteria among different subject areas, some standards apply to all subjects. Assertions must be based on relevant, accurate facts. They are also based on credible sources, are precise, unbiased, free from logical fallacies, logically consistent, and strongly reasoned.

7. Point of View The way one views the world, which shapes one's construction of meaning. In a search for understanding, critical thinkers view phenomena from many different points of view.