The Good Thinker’s ToolkitThe Good Thinker’s ToolkitWays to write an AWESOME paper & win almost anyargument!

Ways to write an AWESOME paper & win almost anyargument!

Who is the mastermind behind this?

Who is the mastermind behind this?

Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) at University of Hawaii-Manoa

Began the spread of P4C

Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) at University of Hawaii-Manoa

Began the spread of P4C

Who does this work for?Who does this work for?Anyone! In any subject.Your studentsEven you!

Anyone! In any subject.Your studentsEven you!

Why should I try this?Why should I try this?Your students will participate in better

discussions.They will understand content on a

deeper level.

Your students will participate in better discussions.

They will understand content on a deeper level.

What will your students produce?

(Examples from Night)

What will your students produce?

(Examples from Night)Why are the Hungarian/German

police being polite to the Jews when they are cruel and killing them?

Can we assume by Madame Schachter’s screaming that the other Jews started feeling the same way?

Can we infer that Elie does not believe in God anymore?

Why are the Hungarian/German police being polite to the Jews when they are cruel and killing them?

Can we assume by Madame Schachter’s screaming that the other Jews started feeling the same way?

Can we infer that Elie does not believe in God anymore?

Sounds good! How do I do it?I’m so glad you asked…

Sounds good! How do I do it?I’m so glad you asked…

Establish “intellectual safety”Reinforce the importance of

communityTeach and use the Good Thinker’s

Toolkit

Establish “intellectual safety”Reinforce the importance of

communityTeach and use the Good Thinker’s

Toolkit

W=What do you mean by…

W=What do you mean by…

Clarifying QuestionsWho, what, when, where

ExamplesWhat is the problem?What is going on here?What have I forgotten to ask?What else do I need to know?What does this mean?

Clarifying QuestionsWho, what, when, where

ExamplesWhat is the problem?What is going on here?What have I forgotten to ask?What else do I need to know?What does this mean?

R=ReasonsR=ReasonsThese questions have more than

one answer!“Why” questions“Because” is a magic word!

It means someone is going to give you something! (a reason!)

Ask yourself--is it a “good” reason or not valid (an excuse)

These questions have more than one answer!

“Why” questions“Because” is a magic word!

It means someone is going to give you something! (a reason!)

Ask yourself--is it a “good” reason or not valid (an excuse)

A=AssumptionsA=Assumptions Opinion or idea that is

not based on good reason or evidence

A conclusion we consciously or unconsciously take for granted as true.

Stereotypes! Qq-Questions within a

question Example: “Aloha gas,

the gas that islanders choose”

Ask yourself, “do all islanders choose Aloha gas?”

Opinion or idea that is not based on good reason or evidence

A conclusion we consciously or unconsciously take for granted as true.

Stereotypes! Qq-Questions within a

question Example: “Aloha gas,

the gas that islanders choose”

Ask yourself, “do all islanders choose Aloha gas?”

I=Inferences/If…then…/Implications

I=Inferences/If…then…/Implications

Opinion or idea that is based on evidence

If _____, then I can infer ______.

Example: If “real” is something

that is experienced by one of your 5 senses, then I can infer that “knowledge” is not “real.”

Implications

Opinion or idea that is based on evidence

If _____, then I can infer ______.

Example: If “real” is something

that is experienced by one of your 5 senses, then I can infer that “knowledge” is not “real.”

Implications

If a person wears a ring, he or she is married

What are the implications of this statement?

T=True?T=True?Is what is being said true?How can we find out?What are the implications if this is true?What are other possibilities?Example:

“Fat Free” potato chipsIs there really no fat?How can we find out?What will happen if this is true?

Is what is being said true?How can we find out?What are the implications if this is true?What are other possibilities?Example:

“Fat Free” potato chipsIs there really no fat?How can we find out?What will happen if this is true?

E=Examples & EvidenceE=Examples & EvidenceSpecific things used to prove an argument

NOT “but my friend/parent said…” or “but I heard…”

Quote your own writing to self-evaluateAre you using valid examples?Do they really help prove your point or are

they fluff?Reminder:

Make sure your evidence is specific to what you are trying to prove! (not just something you think sounds cool)

Specific things used to prove an argumentNOT “but my friend/parent said…” or “but I

heard…”Quote your own writing to self-evaluate

Are you using valid examples?Do they really help prove your point or are

they fluff?Reminder:

Make sure your evidence is specific to what you are trying to prove! (not just something you think sounds cool)

C=CounterexamplesC=CounterexamplesAre there any counter examples to the

claim being made?These are examples to DISPROVE an

argumentThink ahead:

How will someone try to prove your argument is false?

How will you prove that they are incorrect?Look at all sides!!!Don’t be biased!

Are there any counter examples to the claim being made?

These are examples to DISPROVE an argument

Think ahead:How will someone try to prove your

argument is false?How will you prove that they are incorrect?

Look at all sides!!!Don’t be biased!

The Community BallThe Community Ball

Ideally done on the first day of class

Students tell about themselves.

Used with class discussions.

“Whoever has the ball, has the floor”

Ideally done on the first day of class

Students tell about themselves.

Used with class discussions.

“Whoever has the ball, has the floor”

“Plain Vanilla”“Plain Vanilla”

Student genrerated questions

Write on the board so they can see easily

Vote on what they would most like to discuss as a class.

Student genrerated questions

Write on the board so they can see easily

Vote on what they would most like to discuss as a class.

Here’s what it looks like in action!

Here’s what it looks like in action!

Special thanks to my Hawaii students!

Special thanks to my Hawaii students!