You are on page 1of 20

Critical Thinking

What is Critical Thinking? Why do we employ it? When do we employ it? How do we read critically?

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is: the awareness and use of a set of interrelated critical questions the ability to ask and answer critical questions at appropriate times the desire to actively use critical questions

Why do we employ critical thinking?


to test and create knowledge to verify accurate and credible information to locate and negotiate reasonable courses of action

When do we employ critical thinking?


when important solutions must be created when unclear issues need clarification when a decision must be made to take a course of action when a simple answer is impossible or impractical

How do we read critically?


First we must read actively Sponge v. Panning for Gold We must acquire knowledge about our topic Reading and Research Avoid the myth of the right answer Although there may be a reasonable answer, there may be no objective truthespecially in matters of human affairs

How do we read critically?


Ask the question Who cares? Think about what controversies are important Avoid Weak Sense Thinking -- Use Strong Sense Critical Thinking Strong sense thinking involves questioning all sides of an issue Weak sense thinking involves defending your own beliefs or agendas

How do we find the issues?

Find the Issues An issue is a question or controversy that is responsible for the discussionit is the stimulus for what is being said Look for the issues in each text Some are obviousthe writer may tell you outright Look in the title or the beginning of the text

Descriptive and Prescriptive Issues

Descriptive issues are those that raise questions about the accuracy of descriptions of the past, present, or future For example: Does watching TV make us relatively insensitive to crime on the streets?

Descriptive and Prescriptive Issues

Prescriptive issues are those that raise questions about what we should do or what is right or wrong, good or bad For example: Should sex education be taught in the school?

How do we find conclusions?


A conclusion is the message that the writer or speaker wishes you to receive or accept Conclusions are ideas that require other ideas to support them It is the thesis or main claim of a text To find a conclusion, we must ask: What is the writer trying to prove? What is the writers main point?

Conclusions
Conclusions are inferred: they are derived from reasoning they are ideas that need support To believe one statement (the conclusion) because you think it is well supported by other beliefs is to make an inference When we engage in this process, we are reasoning--the conclusion is the outcome of this reasoning

Discover the Conclusion

Clue #1: Ask what the issue is- since a conclusion is always a response to an issue, it will help you find the conclusion if you know the issue look in the title look in the opening paragraph

Discover the Conclusion

Clue #2: look for indicator words, these announce that a conclusion is coming--

Indicator Words

therefore thus but so hence in short it follows that it is believed that shows that

indicates that suggests that proves that yet instead we may deduce that the point Im making is in my opinion in fact

More Indicator Words


The most obvious explanation it is highly probable that the truth of the matter is alas as a result it should be clear that

Discover the Conclusion

Clue # 3: Look in likely locations look in the beginning of the text look in the end look for a statement of purpose look for a summary or conclusion

Discover the Conclusion

Clue # 4: be sure to remember what a conclusion is NOT conclusions will NOT be any of the following:
examples statistics definitions background information evidence

What are the Reasons?


Reasons provide answers to our human curiosity about why someone makes a particular discussion or holds a particular opinion Employers should be able to fire any employee who displeases them Here we need a rationale for why we should agree

What are the Reasons?

Reasons are- Evidence: verifiable facts and statistics credible expert opinions peer reviewed academic journals textual examples (in literary study) --offered to support or justify conclusions

What are the Reasons?


Reasons are statements that together form the basis for demonstrating the credibility of a conclusion Remember: you cannot determine the worth of a conclusion until you identify the reasons Reasons + Conclusion = Argument

You might also like