Critical Thinking: A Guide to Skillful Reasoning

Briefly summarize the issue clearly and objectively. Describe the main ideas or aspects of the issue.

• Without bias, describe the main ideas and events related to the issue.

• What definitions help inform the issue?

• What factors influence this issue?
   

What to look for:

• Description – Main ideas, events

• Description – Key Definitions

• Description – Influences

Objectively examine multiple positions, perspectives and beliefs. Include positions held by professionals and experts.

• How is this issue understood by different people?

• What are common assumptions and beliefs about the issue?

• What do experts say about the issue?
   

What to look for:

• Positions – What are common positions from the media, or people in communities or organizations?

• Positions – What do experts and professionals say?

• Positions – Student position as informed by relevant experiences

Evaluate evidence to identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments and counter-arguments including bias, authority, validity and strength. Are these sources and evidence reliable and credible? Why?

• How reliable and credible are the various arguments or positions presented? What information does or does not stand up to scrutiny?
   

What to look for:

• Evidence – Evaluate credibility of arguments

• Evidence – Evaluate relevance of information

• Evidence – Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments

Without bias, compare and contrast positions, arguments and ideas.

• What essential arguments, positions, ideas and evidence should be included in the final analysis?

• What are the implications of the different positions?

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What to look for:

• Comparison – Compares essential arguments & positions

• Comparison –What are implications of positions?

Connect facts, assumptions, evidence and perspectives to draw conclusions and develop arguments. Recognize and respond to counterarguments and weaknesses about the position you support.

• What perspectives do you agree with and why?

• Are you ready to formulate a position? If so, what is your position on the issue?

• What evidence supports this position?

• What arguments challenge your position?
   

What to look for:

• Personal Position – Connects facts, evidence

• Personal Position – Presents own position

• Personal Position – Withholds judgement

• Personal Position – Supports position and responds to counterarguments

• Personal Position– Identifies potential implications

What further questions, sources or information would guide next steps in exploring this issue?

• What resources or ideas might provide more insight into this issue?

• What further questions should be asked?

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What to look for:

• Further Questions – What are future implications

• Further Questions – What additional insights or questions should be considered?