Learning to Think CriticallyLearning to Think Critically

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

OverviewOverview

• What is thinking?

• How does thinking affect decision making?

• How does thinking affect problem solving?

• What is critical thinking?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

OverviewOverview

• What is critical reading?

• What are the parts of thinking?

• What are the standards for critical thinking?

• How do good questions support critical thinking?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Quick WriteQuick Write

What was the last great movie you saw? What did you like about it? What was memorable about the movie? Why would

you recommend the flick to your friends?

• Write five sentences that tell why you thought the film was good

• Share your thoughts with a partner

• How are your standards for movies the same as your partner’s? How are they different?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

We Are All ThinkersWe Are All Thinkers

ThinkingThinking is a function of your mind that makes sense of the events of your life and helps you

figure out what is going on around you

Graphic #20714138 www.clipart.com

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Stopping to ReflectStopping to Reflect

• ReflectionReflection is the process of making sense of the world by thinking

• To be a good thinker or communicator, you have to stop and reflect on how the world has impressed you

• In other words, to really think, you have to stop and think about what you think

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Your Brain Thinks, Feels and WantsYour Brain Thinks, Feels and Wants

• Thinking is one of the brain’s three major functions—the other two are feeling and wanting.

Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Thinking ClearlyThinking Clearly

Sometimes it is hard to separate what you think from what you feel

But with practice, you can learn to think clearly

CLEAR THINKING↓ ↓

Decision Making Problem Solving

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Decision MakingDecision Making

Decision based on reason

Rational life reflecting pattern of thoughtful

decisions

Irrational decisions

Complicate your life/harm others

Good Thinking Barriers to Good Thinking

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Steps to Good DecisionsSteps to Good Decisions

• State the situation

• List all possibilities or options

• Think about possible complications

• Sort or judge the alternatives systematically

• Take your time

• Discuss the issue with people you trust

• Conduct research if necessary

• Make a decision and act, then evaluate

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Putting yourthinking to workto weigh options

and come upwith solutions

Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Critical Thinking Helps You Critical Thinking Helps You Solve ProblemsSolve Problems

• Critical thinkingCritical thinking is the ability to explore an issue, problem, decision, or option from many angles

• Critical thinking involves analysisanalysis—the process of breaking down an issue to figure out its nature and how it works

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Build Critical Thinking SkillsBuild Critical Thinking Skills

• Hold back your emotions about the subject

• Look at the subject from different points of view

• Break down information

• Ask probing questions

• Solve problems systematically

• Separate facts from opinions

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Critical ReadingCritical Reading

Who? When? What?

Why? How?

What does it all mean?

Photo courtesy of Comstock Images

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Parts of ThinkingParts of Thinking

PARTS OF THINKING

governed by

CONCEPTS

and

THEORIES

come up with SOLUTIONS

and

OUTCOMES

whenever we think we think for a

PURPOSE

within a

POINT of VIEW

to make INFERENCES and

JUDGMENTS

we use

DATA and FACTS

leading to IMPLICATIONS

and CONSEQUENCES

based on ASSUMPTIONS

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Standards for Critical ThinkingStandards for Critical Thinking

Adapted from Critical Thinking Paul and Edler ©2001 Prentice Hall

Clarity

Is the language used to express the thought clear? Is it focused?

Accuracy

Is the statement true?

Precision

Is the thought specific enough?

Relevance

Does the thought apply well to the issue in

question?

Depth

Does the idea dig into the issue’s complexities or just

glance off the surface?

Breadth

Does the thought consider other points of view?

Logic

Does the thinking follow from solid premises?

Significance

Is the thinking important enough to be included in the deeper discussion?

Fairness

Is the thought balanced and based on truth?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Good Questions Support Good Questions Support Good ThinkingGood Thinking

• Question of Fact– requires evidence and reasoning within a

system– a correct answer– leads to development of knowledge

Three Kinds of Questions

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Good Questions Support Good Questions Support Good ThinkingGood Thinking

• Question of Preference– asks for the listener to state a choice– an individual, subjective opinion– cannot judge or prove right or wrong

Three Kinds of Questions

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

Good Questions Support Good Questions Support Good ThinkingGood Thinking

• Question of Judgment– requires evidence and reasoning within

multiple systems – some answers are better than others– asking for a judgment call

Three Kinds of Questions

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

ReviewReview

• Critical thinking is the ability to explore an issue, problem, decision, or option from many angles

• Thinking affects decision-making and problem solving

• Problem solving also depends on good thinking, as you weigh options, look for new possibilities and come up with a solution

• Critical reading demands that you think about what you read, ask questions, and develop your own understanding of the writer’s words

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

ReviewReview

• Parts of thinking: purpose, point of view, assumptions, implications, data and facts, inferences, theories, and solutions

• Standards for thinking: clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, fairness

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

ReviewReview

• Asking good questions is important for critical thinking, but avoid dead questions

• Good questions fall into three categories: questions of fact, questions of preference, and questions of judgment

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

SummarySummary

• What is thinking?

• How does thinking affect decision making?

• How does thinking affect problem solving?

• What is critical thinking?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

SummarySummary

• What is critical reading?

• What are the parts of thinking?

• What are the standards for critical thinking?

• How do good questions support critical thinking?

Chapter 1, Lesson 3

NextNext

• Done—critical thinking

• Next—the basic checklist for communication

Graphic courtesy of Clipart.com