Critical Thinking Critical Thinking through Writing You must

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking through Writing �You must do this to get out of college! �College writing shows your ability to think critically about topics and issues by v. Analyzing complex processes v. Synthesizing distinct concepts v. Weighing the value of opposing perspectives v. Practicing new applications of existing principles

Critical Thinking through Writing �Develop sound critical-thinking habits v. Be curious (question every part) v. Cultivate your ability to wonder v. Be creative (don’t settle for obvious) v. Look at topics in a fresh way; what-ifs v. Be open to new ideas v. Approach like a road trip looking for the unexpected

Critical Thinking through Writing �Develop sound critical-thinking habits v. Value other’s points of view v. Weigh against your own v. Get involved v. Read, watch, join v. Focus v. Sharpen your concentration v. Be rational v. Choose logical thinking patterns & deepen understanding

Critical Thinking through Writing �Develop sound critical-thinking habits v. Make connections v. Explore how & why topics are related v. Tolerate ambiguity (fuzziness) v. Respectfully analyze unresolved issues v. Test the evidence v. Be properly skeptical & look for verification

Critical Thinking through Writing �Develop sound critical-thinking habits v. Develop research-based conclusions v. Gather details that lead to & support your conclusion v. Expect results v. Consider your paper to be a benchmark that reflects your progress in developing your thinking & writing skills

Critical Thinking through Writing �Ask probing questions to trigger critical thinking v. Open ended questions v. Educated questions v. Keep question journal (divided page) v. Turn ideas into questions

Critical Thinking through Writing �Practice inductive and deductive logic v. Inductive logic v. Specific to general v. Postpone conclusions v. Narrative or personal essays

Critical Thinking through Writing �Practice inductive and deductive logic v. Deductive logic v. General to specific v. Logic clarity v. Directness v. Strength v. Apply what is already agreed on to what is still under dispute v. Analytical essays

Critical Thinking through Writing �Practice inductive and deductive logic

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Know (call to mind what you have learned) Define Memorize Identify Name List Recall Match Recognize üRecall information üList details üDefine key terms üIdentify main points

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Understand (show what you have learned) Comprehend Interpret Connect Restate Explain Summarize Grasp üConnect related examples üSummarize important details üExplain how something works üInterpret what something means

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Analyze (break down information, look into the parts, examine separately) Characterize Contrast Classify Divide Compare Examine üDivide a whole into its parts üGroup into categories üAnalyze causes and effect üExamine similarities and differences

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Synthesize (shape information into a new form: predict, invent, & redesign) Assemble Combine Construct Formulate Imagine Invent Link üBring together a body of evidence üBlend the old with the new üPredict or hypothesize üConstruct a new way of looking at something

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Evaluate (determine the worth of information) Assess Check Critique Judge Measure Monitor Rank Rate üPoint out a subject’s strengths & weaknesses üEvaluate its clarity, accuracy, logic, value, & so on üConvince others of its value/worth

Critical Thinking through Writing Practicing modes of thinking in your writing v. Apply (use what you have learned to demonstrate, show, relate, or extend) Anticipate Propose Choose Select Generate ü Propose a better way of doing something ü Generate a plan of action ü Offer solutions to a problem v. Move from ideas to possible action v. Understand, relate, select, test

Practice �Choose a subject you know something about. �Practice thinking about the subject both inductively & deductively. �Write two paragraphs One developed inductively & one developed deductively