Critical Thinking
“ Insanity is doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting
different results.”
Albert Einstein
What does this mean to you?
What skills do you need to be
a good critical thinker?
Necessary Skills
Good communication skills:
listening skills
speaking and writing skills
asking good questions
 Good reasoning/evaluation skills
creativity
ability to compare possible solutions

Skills
Motivation to take action
 Ability to honestly assess outcome

Definition
Critical thinking is the intellectually
disciplined process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,
synthesizing, and/or evaluating information
gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection,
reasoning, or communication, as a guide
to belief and action.
www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml
In other words

Critical thinking is a mental process of
analyzing and evaluating information.

In the model presented, the elements
inform analysis and the standards inform
evaluation.
A quick survey

I need six volunteers
What is your favorite color?
 What did you drink with dinner last
night?
 What would you prefer to wear:

◦ Pink High-top sneakers
◦ Black regular sneakers with the NBA logo
Break information into parts
 Separate
the ideas
 Compare and contrast
 Examine cause and effect
 Look for themes, patterns, and
categories
Separate Fact from Opinion
A
statement of fact is
objectively real and verifiable
 A statement of opinion is a
belief, conclusion, or judgment
that is inherently difficult, and
sometimes impossible, to
verify
Give me some examples
Fact
Opinion
Perspectives and Assumptions
 Perspective
– A characteristic way of
thinking about people, situations, events,
or ideas
 Assumption – A judgment, generalization,
or bias influenced by experience and
values
 Bias – a preference or inclination,
especially one that prevents evenhanded
judgment
The Eight Elements of Thought
Point of View
Purpose
Implications &
Consequences
Elements of
Thought
Conclusions
Concepts
Question at
Issue
Assumptions
Information
Let’s apply 4 of these to a current
issue
 Question
at issue
 What information do we
have?
 Point of view
 Assumptions