1. Critical Thinking English 101 Ms. Grooms

2. Critic From the Greek word kritikos, means “one who can judge and discern” Someone who thinks critically

3. As you write a college paper, try to figure out your purpose, position and strategies for getting readers to follow your logic and accept your points. You must demonstrate your thinking to others, to persuade them to pay attention to what you say. Sound evidence is what critical readers want to see.

4. Sound Evidence Supports your thesis Convinces readers by substantiating your points Bolsters your credibility as a writer Demonstrates the merit of your position

5. Types of Evidence FACTS: statements that can be verified objectively, by observation or by reading a reliable account. They are usually stated dispassionately. Examples: The tree in my yard is a palm tree. Ms. Grooms is my English 101 teacher this semester.

6. Evidence cont./ Statistics STATISTICS: facts expressed in numbers. Statistics should not be used to mislead. Example: What portion of American children are poor? According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.2 million children lived in poverty in 2008 compared to 16.4 million in 2011.

7. Evidence Cont./ Expert Testimony Expert Testimony: people with knowledge gained from study and experience in a particular field. The test of an expert stands up to the scrutiny of others who are knowledgeable in that field. Example: Peyton Manning’s views on how to play offense in football carry authority.

8. Evidence cont./ Firsthand Observation FIRSTHAND OBSERVATION: Is persuasive Can add reality to abstract or complex points. Most readers trust when the writer observes something and then writes about his/her observations. Make your observations unbiased and accurate.

9. Testing Evidence In BG, Evidence Checklist (43) Consider the types of appeals…

10. To appeal to your audience, use Logical appeal Emotional appeal Ethical appeal Which appeal?

11. Logical Appeal Logos in Greek Appeal to the reader’s mind or intellect. Relies on evidence that is factual, objective, clear, and relevant.

12. Emotional Appeal Pathos (suffering) in Greek Appeal to the reader’s heart. Choose language, facts, quotations, examples, and images that evoke emotional responses. Convincing writing does touch readers’ hearts as well as their minds.

13. Ethical Appeal Ethos (character) in Greek Call on the reader’s sense of fairness and trust. Writers select and present evidence in a way that will make the audience trust them, respect their judgment, and believe what they have to say.

14. Presenting your Critical Thinking In college, you face an audience that expects you to explain what you assume, what you advocate, and why you hold that position.

15. Reasoning Deductively or Inductively When you state a generalization, you present your broad general point, viewpoint, or conclusion.

16. Deductive Pattern First: Broad Generalization or conclusion Then : Details, examples, facts, and supporting particulars.

17. Inductive Pattern First : Particulars, details, examples, facts Then : concluding generalization

18. Logical Patterns Least to Most: building up the best points can produce a strong finish, but holding back on strong points makes readers wait. Most to Least: beginning with the strongest point can create a forceful opening, but tapering off with weaker points may cause readers to lose interest.

19. Logical Patterns cont. Comparison and Contrast: readers can easily relate comparable points about things of like kind. Some similarities/differences don’t guarantee or prove others. Cause and Effect: Tracing causes or effects can tightly relate and perhaps predict events. Weak links can call into question all relationships in a series of events.

20. Logical Reasoning Checklist In BG, page 52.

21. David Rothkopf’s “A Proposal to Draft America’s Elderly” (53-4) Read Rothkopf’s essay and answer questions along the margins. We will discuss these shortly.