Critical thinking involves using logic and reasoning to analyze arguments and make well-informed judgments. It requires clarity, accuracy, precision, depth, and fairness. Some key aspects of critical thinking are evaluating claims based on evidence rather than beliefs; considering multiple perspectives on issues; and applying reasoning to solve problems in a creative, flexible way. The goal is to think outside one's comfort zone and analyze issues at a deeper level.

1. Communication
Policy
Speech 104
Reflective Terminal
Logos
Criteria
Value Generalizations
think
Arguments
Critical Belief
Reasoning
Way
Reflective
Thinking
Applicable
Truth
Clarity
Judgment Methods
Claim
Ethos Belief
Fact
Validity Pathos

2. What is Critical Thinking?
• The ability to think outside of
your comfort zone
• Asking questions in order to find
new, creative solutions to
problems
• Taking multiple perspectives on a
problem
Having interest in a wide range of
related and divergent fields

3. Aspects of Critical Thinking
• Reasoning has many
forms while the
conclusion follows the
premises proceeding it
• Evaluate a particular
case in order to solve a
problem
• Make a decision, and
analyze it
Example:
All Cats are Mammals.
All Mammals are
Vertebrates
Therefore,
All Cats are
Vertebrates

4. Critical Thinking Standards
• Clarity
• Accuracy
• Precision
• Relevance
• Depth
• Breadth
• Logic
• Fairness

5. Clarity Accuracy
• Could the point being • Is that true?
made be expanded?
• Can we check?
• Could you put it in
another way for people • How can we know
to understand? whether it is really true?
• Can you provide an
THIS Who does
illustration? CHICKEN he think he
is?
WEIGHS
• Could you give an OVER 400
POUNDS
example?

6. Precision Relevance
• Give more details • How is it connected to
the question?
• Be more specific
• How does it bear on the
issue?
Wow! Hes
tall
I
studied, t
herefore, I
should get
an A

7. Depth
Depth Breadth
• How does the • Another point of view?
answer address the • Is there another look at the
question? question?
• Is the issue dealing • How would it look from a
with the most conservative standpoint?
significant factors?

8. Logic Fairness
• Does it make sense?
• Open Minded
• Does it follow what has
• Free of distorting biases and
been said?
preconceptions
• How does it follow?
• Impartial

9. Explaining Critical Thinker To Child
First Choice
Pick up your toys off the floor then
I Still don’t get it? have more time to spend at Toys ‘R’
Can you explain Us
Critical Thinking
better? Second Choice
Rush at Toys ‘R’ Us then go home
to pick up the toys off the floor
Better Choice: Pick up
your toys off the floor in
order to spend more
time at Toys ‘R’ Us

10. There is no such thing as thinking about
nothing...Thinking requires
content, substance, something thought about.
On the other hand, content is parasitic upon
thinking. It is discovered, created, by thought.
Analyzed, synthesized, by thought.
Organized, transformed, by thought.
Accepted, rejected by thought. To teach content
without regard to thinking is to prevent that
content from being transformed, in the mind of
the student, into knowledge
-Richard Paul