Now that you have identified a good demonstration of your communication skills, we are going to take a look at the elements of critical thinking in it. Specifically, we're looking at the ways in which critical thinking skills are connected to communication skills. Let's start by taking a close look at critical thinking. What IS critical thinking? It's a term used frequently in classrooms and assignments, but you may not be very clear on what makes for an effective demonstration of critical thinking. In searching for elements of critical thinking in your communication piece, consider the following: How do you use data in your piece? Effective critical thinking means… Identifying and applying useful data and information Demonstrate logic to interpret data Define and explain important terms and complicated concepts (this might be related to the data or sources you use) Adapting knowledge (or data) to specific scenarios and issues How else do you support your thesis? Effective critical thinking means… Describing experiences and opinions Developing examples to support thesis and claims Articulating relationships How do you deal with opposing points of view? Effective critical thinking means… Recognizing and discuss inferences and faulty logic Developing a plan to generate and construct a solution to a problem Combining multiple viewpoints and strategies in problem solving Identify and address opposing points of view .

1. Now that you have identified a good demonstration of your
communication skills, we are going to take a look at the
elements of critical thinking in it. Specifically, we're looking at
the ways in which critical thinking skills are connected to
communication skills.
Let's start by taking a close look at critical thinking. What IS
critical thinking? It's a term used frequently in classrooms and
assignments, but you may not be very clear on what makes for
an effective demonstration of critical thinking.
In searching for elements of critical thinking in your
communication piece, consider the following:
How do you use data in your piece? Effective critical thinking
means…
Identifying and applying useful data and information
Demonstrate logic to interpret data
Define and explain important terms and complicated concepts
(this might be related to the data or sources you use)
Adapting knowledge (or data) to specific scenarios and issues
How else do you support your thesis? Effective critical thinking
means…
Describing experiences and opinions
Developing examples to support thesis and claims
Articulating relationships
How do you deal with opposing points of view? Effective
critical thinking means…
Recognizing and discuss inferences and faulty logic
Developing a plan to generate and construct a solution to a
problem
Combining multiple viewpoints and strategies in problem
solving
Identify and address opposing points of view