,Click to edit Master title style,Click to edit Master text styles,Second level,Third level,Fourth level,Fifth level,.,*,Critical Thinking,Thinking is a purposeful mental activityyou control it,Thinking is a two-sided activityfirst you produce ideas and then you evaluate them,Producing ideas widens your focus(resist the temptation to settle for a few familiar ideas).,Evaluating narrows your focus.Sort the ideas,identify the most reasonable ones.,1,.,Why critical thinking is important,Success in work depends on thinking skills.,It isnt enough to possess knowledge but you must be able to apply information to your job.,Critical thinking is a reliable way of searching for the truth.,2,.,Facts and Opinions,Facts are realities;opinions are beliefs or judgments.,Opinions may fit the facts or be in error.,Even the greatest experts sometimes hold incorrect opinions.,That is why research is so important in every subject areait confirms some opinions and disproves others.,3,.,Forming Opinions,Critical thinkers realize how easy it is to be mistaken so they form their opinions with care.,They revise their opinions,even cherished ones,whenever they prove to be in error.,There is no shame in being wrong,but problems occur when we stubbornly cling to a mistaken view.,4,.,Recognizing facts&opinions,Fact:Babe Ruth was a famous baseball player.,Opinion:Smoking should be banned in all public places.,Fact:Camels hair brushes are made of Siberian squirrel fir.,Opinion:Eyewitness testimony is generally unreliable.,5,.,Separating facts&opinions,If you state a fact that is not common knowledge,or that cant be easily verified,briefly state where you got your information.,If you state an opiniona view others might disagree with,include answers to questions others might ask.,If you are not sure whether a statement is a fact or an opinion,treat it as an opinion.,6,.,Opinion versus personal preference,Often confusing to many people.,Example:“Comic books are as instructive about life as novels are.”,When asked what evidence exists that comic books are so instructive,they dont have an answer,Preferences dont need to be defended as long as they are expressed as preferences.(If we express them as opinions,dont be surprised if others challenge them.,7,.,Basic Approach to Critical Thinking,Step One:Decide what you think and why you think it.,Step Two:Seek other views and more evidence.,Step Three:Decide which view is most reasonable.,8,.,Step One,Begin by deciding what your position is on the issue in question.(Putting this decision in writing can help.Dont be discouraged if this takes several attempts.),Ask yourself what evidence do you have to support your view?,Are there other conclusions possible?,Answer these questions as completely as you can.(You might list them rather than write full sentences.),9,.,Step Two,Other viewpoints help you test your view and discover your biases.,You gain additional insights by looking at new ideas.,Gather ideas from multiple sources:libraries,instructors,or experts in the field.,Look at ideas that both agree and disagree with your viewpoint.,10,.,Step Three,Measure your view and the views of others against the evidence.,Decide which one is the most reasonable based on the evidence.,Research will often prove your viewpoint.If it,always,proves your viewpoint,you may be twisting the evidence to meet your needs,11,.,Critical Reading Strategies,Choose your time and place,Read actively(ask questions/seek answers),Concentrate on the task,Write a summary(in your own words;emphasize key points;&write accurately),Reflect on the ideas,12,.,Critical Thinking&Writing,Critical thinking provides the ideas for writing,and writing stimulates more ideas.,Allow time for reflection every day.,Focus on discovering ideas.,Be open to ideas at other times.,13,.,Expressing your thoughts for others,Complete the thinking process first.,Discovery writing is part of the thinking processyou produce rather than communicate ideas.,Use your viewpoint as your controlling idea.,Choose a suitable organization.,14,.,Expressing your thoughts for others-continued,Introduction,Your controlling idea,Your first argument for this idea and supporting evidence,Your second argument and supporting evidence,Your third argument(if you have one)and supporting evidence,Conclusion,15,.,Expressing your thoughts for others-continued,Support your view with evidence,Be exact,but lively.(Choose word that convey your idea exactly.),Break your thoughts into paragraphs.,Use standard punctuation and observe conventions of grammar and usage.(The Department of Health Studies uses APA format for most papers.),16,.,Characteristics of Critical Thinkers,Know their own minds.,Are honest with themselves.,Acknowledge all truthseven unpleasant ones.,Accept responsibility and accountability for their actions.,Accept sound argumentseven if that means rejecting their own.,Critical thinkers overcome confusion and ask questions.,They base their judgments on evidence.,17,.,Characte