This document discusses critical thinking and creative thinking strategies. It defines critical thinking as a self-directed process to think at the highest level of quality by taking deliberate steps to recognize or develop arguments and use evidence to draw conclusions and solve problems. Some examples of critical thinking skills provided are interpreting, analyzing, evaluating, and reasoning. Creative thinking is described as a more relaxed, open approach involving generating new ideas and seeing situations in new ways. The document lists strategies for both critical thinking such as reflection, rationality, and open-mindedness. Strategies for creative thinking include brainstorming, allowing ideas to develop during other activities, and asking questions in different ways. Both critical and creative thinking are said to be valuable for problem solving.

1. University of Baghdad
Collage of Education / Ibn Rushed for Human Sciences
Department of English
M.A. Study
Critical and Creative Thinking strategies
Submitted by:
M.A Candidate : Akram J. N. Nasser
Methods Of Teaching English
Supervisor by Asst. Prof. Dr.
Elaf Riyadh
2020 H.A 1441 A.H

2. What is Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a self-directed process by which we take deliberate steps to think at
the highest level of quality. Critical thinking is at the core of most intellectual activity
that involves students learning to recognize or develop an argument, use evidence in
support of that argument, draw reasoned conclusions, and use information to solve
problems. Examples of appraising critical thinking skills are interpreting, analyzing,
evaluating, explaining, sequencing, reasoning, comparing, questioning, inferring,
hypothesizing,, testing and generalizing.
Critical and Creative Thinking strategies
Approaches differ considerably between the skills used in creative thinking and those
used in critical thinking. if we note, that our brain is an organ which does everything, so
we must care for it. Play, sit in silence, take a walk or have some water. Eat brain-healthy
foods, reading or anything else. So, If we were to ask educators about the most desirable
benefits to our learners of thinking strategies of their own, most would respond that they
quickly develop independent thinking.
After all, we want our learners to think critically and create great solutions. However,
busy teachers want to make their own jobs more effective in a shorter time span.
Obtaining solid critical thinking strategies will get you all to that higher-order thinking
destination.
Why should we use Thinking Strategies?
-It helps foster curiosity and creativity in our students, as well as the ability to make
connections.
-They encourage metacognition, independence and intrinsic motivation.
-They challenge the cult of ‘the right answer.’
-They can be used alongside the current curriculum and be adapted for use in all subject
areas.
Some critical thinking strategies
1 .Reflection
Engage in the reflective process. (See unit, Reflective learning / keeping a reflective
learning journal.)
2 .Rationality
-Rely on reason rather than emotion,
-Require evidence, ignore no known evidence, and follow evidence where it leads,
-Be concerned more with finding the best explanation than being right, and
-Analyse apparent confusion and ask questions.

3. 3. Self-awareness
-Weigh the influences of motives and bias, and
-Recognize our own assumptions, prejudices, biases or point of view.
4. Honesty
-To think critically we must recognize emotional impulses, selfish motives, disreputable
purposes, or other modes of self-deception.
.
5. Open-mindedness
- Evaluate all reasonable inferences,
- Consider a variety of possible viewpoints or perspectives.
- Remain open to alternative interpretations.
- Accept a new explanation, model or paradigm because it explains the evidence better is
simpler or has fewer inconsistencies or covers more data.
6. Discipline
- Be precise, meticulous, comprehensive, and exhaustive.
- Engage in active listening and reading practices (See the units, Active listening: note
taking in lectures and Active and critical reading).
- Resist manipulation and irrational appeals, and avoid snap judgments.
7. Judgment
- Recognize the relevance and / or merit of alternative assumptions and perspectives.
- Recognize the extent and weight of evidence.
What is creative thinking?
Creative thinking embodies a relaxed, open, playful approach and is less ordered,
structured and predictable than critical thinking. Therefore it also requires some risk-
taking as there is a chance that you will make ‘mistakes’ or not come up with an answer
at all. You need to be prepared to cope with the resultant risk, confusion and disorder. If
you are generally ordered and organised this may take some getting used to. Creative
thinking skills are as much about attitude and self-confidence as about talent.
Creative thinking involves students learning to generate and apply new ideas in specific
contexts, seeing existing situations in a new way, identifying alternative explanations,
and seeing or making new links that generate a positive outcome.

4. Some creative thinking strategies
There is no limit to ways there are of thinking creatively. Some techniques you can begin
with are listed hereunder.
· Brainstorm ideas on one topic onto a large piece of paper: don't edit these. Just write
them down as soon as they come into your head.
· Allow yourself to play with an idea while you go for a walk or engage in other activities
· Draw or paint a theory on paper.
· Ask the same question at least twenty times and give a different answer each time.
· Combine some of the features of two different objects or ideas to see if you can create
several more.
· Change your routine. Do things a different way. Walk a different route to college.
· Let your mind be influenced by new stimuli such as music you do not usually listen to.
· Be open to ideas when they are still new: look for ways of making things work and
pushing the idea to its limits.
· Cultivate creative serendipity.
· Ask questions such as 'what if….?' Or 'supposing….?'.
Both creative thinking and critical thinking skills are valuable and neither is superior. In
fact, it has been shown that when either is omitted during the problem solving process,
effectiveness declines. For example you could focus on a subject in a logical, analytical
way for some time, sorting out conflicting claims, weighing evidence, thinking through
possible solutions.

5. References
 - LEARNING TO LEARN Creative thinking and critical thinking, [Compiled by
Ann Coughlan, 2007-08], Office of the Vice-President for Learning Innovation
and Registrar, DCU Student Learning Resources.
 - Strategies to develop creativity and critical thinking, Published on Jul 6, 2014,
Creativity and Critical Thinking, Published in: Education, Technology.
 - Creative and Critical Thinking, Published on May 26, 2013,Creative and critical
thinking presentation from ESF CPD - 16th May 2013, Published in: Education,
Technology, Business
 - Strategies for Teaching Creativity and Critical Thinking, Published on Jul 25,
2016, Teaching strategies for creativity and critical thinking, Published in:
Education