1) Critical thinking involves asking questions to gain knowledge on a subject from various sources like the internet, books, and experts. There are three main types of questions: factual, interpretive, and opinion. 2) Research is conducted using three main forms: exploratory, constructive, and empirical to gain new knowledge and share findings. Analysis methods like cost/benefit, priorities, program, and brainstorming are used to identify key argument points. 3) Issue discovery is a crucial part of critical thinking that involves categorizing contradictions and uncertainties to find the most important issues to address, which then form the basis for contentions that support a position on a claim.

1. How we use issues, analysis, and contentions in critical thinkingJasson Jimenez

2. Who, What, Where, & WhyCritical thinking is like when we want to find out the who, what, were, and why. As we search for the sources through the internet, books, authority figures, and much more we use critical thinking by first asking questions. We ask questions all the time as it is, when we type in key words on a search engine, or ask a teacher, and so on. So we refine our asking to three types of questions.

3. Factual, Interpretive, & OpinionFactual questions are those that can be supported. Those that have already been proven right or wrong. For example how many planets are in our solar system.Interpretive questions have more than one valid answer. This type of question is commonly seen in court rooms were multiple people interpret the actions taken differently, yet as long as they stay relevant to the topic at hand can all be valid questions. Opinionated questions ask for peoples thoughts and belief, their judgments and reasoning. The key to asking a question is obtaining feedback. Thus giving the knowledge necessary to formulate an answer

4. New Knowledge Through ResearchWhen we use research we use it for the purpose of gaining and sharing knowledge of a subject and show our critical skills in exploring the subject at hand. For this we can use three main forms of research:Exploratory-A new problem can be structured and identifiedConstructive- A new solution to a problem can be developedEmpirical- evidence on the feasibility of an existing solution to a problem can be provided

5. AnalysisThere are four main analysis methods that we use to identify our key argument points from which to build on. Cost/benefit Analysis- This is for planning and decision making. It is an evaluation of the pros and cons before taking a course of action.Priorities Analysis- Discovers issues by asking questions, and analyzing the trade-offs of our decisions.Program Analysis-Policies are adopted to achieve certain goals.Brainstorming- Is what we all learn in school, to build on ideas, and generate questions we want our research to answer for ourselves and others.

6. Issue DiscoveryIssue discovery is not something you stumble on, but is part of critical thinking and the research it needs. An issue is something central to the outcome of the argumentative foundation. And the purpose of issue discovery is to find the best argument or contention to use to support your side on the claim.

7. IssuesOnce we have asked all the questions we need, we usually end up with contradictions, uncertainty, and generally more questions. Among these usually we have discovered issues and as such need be addressed accordingly. By categorizing them.Phrased as a question, but not all questions qualify as issuesIssues can be introduced by either the pro or con side in a disputeThere is no set number of issues a person can discoverIssues bring organization to the argumentative environmentIssues should be as specific as one can make them

8. Types of IssuesThere are many types of issues, but some that serve us well to discover when working in critical thinking mode are:Admitted Issues- Questions raised by one side and agreed to by the other sideReal Issues-Important questions that remain after narrowing the potential issue downUltimate Issues- Key questions that, in and of themselves, are sufficient for the disposition of the claim. Must be answered correctly by either side.

9. ContentionsA contention is the main argument that supports your position on the claim and usually derive from the ultimate issue. Contentions become the justifications for your position on the claim being argues, and should flow from one to the next, advancing the overall case to our side.Contentions should reflect a logical organization of the arguments you are making in support to your position on the claim. Contentions are the foundation of all argumentative presentations.

10. StrategyCritical thinking is not just for use in the classroom, but for everyday life, there are issues all around us, in every aspect of our days. And if we do our research, brainstorm, analyze, and do all that we need to be effective critical thinkers we will be able to argue any stand effectively and productively. Its part of the game of life.