The document discusses characteristics of critical thinking and critical thinkers. It lists characteristics like being skeptical, open-minded, and fair-minded. Partners are asked to make a top 5 list of characteristics and then compare lists in groups to make a combined top 5 list. The document also discusses how critical thinking involves evaluating arguments based on criteria like credible sources. Critical thinkers consider different points of view.

1. Characteristics
• Generate as many characteristics of critical
thinking and a critical thinker as possible.

2. With a partner...
• Look at the items on your lists and take all
of those characteristics and break them
down into a Top 5 list.
Casey Kasem says, “This week’s Top
40 dedication goes out to all the
teachers working on the Common
Core”.

3. At your table…
• Compare your Top 5
lists noting the
similarities and
differences and
create a super Top
5 list to share with
the group as a
whole.

4. Characteristics
Skeptical Respect clarity and
precision
Open-minded
Look at different points
Fair-minded of view
Respect evidence and Will change positions
reasoning when reason leads them
to do so.

5. Arguments
• Critical thinking involves identifying,
evaluating, and constructing arguments.

6. Argument Criteria
• Relevant, accurate facts
• Based on credible sources
• Precise
• Unbiased
• Consistent

7. Point of View
• Critical thinkers view
phenomena from many
different points of view.
"You never really understand a
person until you consider things
from his point of view - until you
climb into his skin and walk around
in it."
- spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper
Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird