1. A look at developing critical thinking skills
Thorough Thinking
A look at developing critical thinking skills

2. Shockproof “Crap” Detectors
“As critical thinkers, we are constantly on the lookout for thinking that’s inaccurate, sloppy, or misleading.”
Ellis, Dave. “Critical Thinking: A Survival Skill.” Becoming a Master Student. 14th Ed. Boston, MA: Cengage
Shockproof “Crap” Detectors

3. False truths? People once believed…
Racial integration of the armed forces would lead to destruction of soldier morale.
Woman cannot vote intelligently.
The world is flat.
Earth is the center of the universe.
False truths?
Be Freed From the NONSENSE!!

4. Compliance Gaining Strategies
Comparison/social validation
Liking/friendship
Authority
Reciprocity
Commitment-consistency
Scarcity
Compliance Gaining Strategies

5. You Have the Right! To question what you see, hear, and read
This is the cornerstone of a college education
To upset your own beliefs
Cognitive dissonance: when we challenge our beliefs with contrary information—we often ignore that information
To admit when you were wrong about something
When you find your thinking was originally fuzzy, lazy, dishonest, or based on biases
You Have the Right!

6. Important to reading, writing, speaking, and listening well
Promotes social change (i.e., Civil Rights)
Uncovers bias and prejudice
Reveals long term consequences
Admits when you don’t know something rather than accepting quick but inadequate answers
Why Thorough Thinking?

7. Thorough Thinking involves…
Distinguishing between opinion and fact
Asking probing questions
Making detailed observations
Uncovering assumptions
Making assertions backed by evidence and logic
Planning
Thorough Thinking involves…

8. Six Levels of Critical Thinking
Level 1: Remembering
Level 2: Understanding
Level 3: Applying
Level 4: Analyzing
Level 5: Evaluating
Level 6: Creating
Six Levels of Critical Thinking

9. Level 1: Remembering Involves recalling key terms, facts, or events
Study by creating flash cards or memorizing a list of definitions to recite exactly
Level 1: Remembering

10. Involves whether you can explain ideas in your own words and comprehension
Provide examples of your experiences to show understanding
Example: Discuss the concept of active listening.
Level 2: Understanding

11. Level 3: Applying Involves using an idea to create a desired result
Answers questions that ask you to apply, solve, construct, plan, predict, and produce
Level 3: Applying

12. Level 4: Analyzing Involves dividing a concept into parts
Questions ask you to classify, separate, distinguish, or outline
Level 4: Analyzing

13. Involves rating the truth, usefulness, or quality of an idea and giving reasons for that rating
At this level, you agree, disagree, or suspend judgment until you have more info
At this level, you give your opinion with reasoning and offer supporting evidence
True “critical” thinking
Level 5: Evaluating

14. Level 6: Creating Involves inventing something new based on an idea
Analyze an idea into parts and then combine in a new way
Take several ideas and find unexpected connections
Beyond offering an opinion—you are offering something unique
Find that “aha!” moment
Level 6: Creating

15. To be a Thorough Thinker…
Find various points of view on ANY issue
Define terms (even something as simple as “family”)
Look for assertions (these answer questions)
Look for at least three viewpoints, answers
Practice tolerance—be open-minded
Look for logic and evidence
Consider the source—could he/she be biased?
Understand another’s viewpoint before you criticize
Be willing to be uncertainty to take time to examine an issue
Write your thoughts to allow more time for reflection
Ask questions
To be a Thorough Thinker…