CriticalThinkingKeyTerms_Student_Spring2020

Asking the Right Questions Instructor: Valerie Hannah Critical Thinking Key Terms Term Definition Key Question Hint Critical Thinking The ability to ask interrelated critical questions, to ask and answer these critical questions; and desire to actively use the critical questions. Am I asking and answering critical questions with the desire to understand? Am I practicing characteristics of a critical thinker? Sponge Method A method of thinking that focuses on absorbing information. Am I reading actively or passively? Actually process the words that you are reading. Panning for Gold Method A method of thinking that focuses on absorbing information. Am I reading actively or passively? Reading actively by making annotations and using your metacognitive skills Strong Sense of Critical Thinking It is used to evaluate all claims, including your own. Am I applying all of my reasoning? It makes you reflect on the alternatives and make a conscious decision regarding your point of view. Weak Sense of Critical Thinking It is used to deny the possible value of any position different from your own. Am I purposely ignoring criticisms of my positions or become defensive? Weak sense critical thinker tends to use reasons in a limited way. Argument A conclusion and the reasons that allegedly support it Why does the writer or speaker believe that? Try to clarify your understanding of what the other person said by repeating it back to them. 1 Copyright © 01.2019 Valerie Hannah Revised 01.2020

Asking the Right Questions Instructor: Valerie Hannah Term Definition Key Question Hint Opinion Statements based on your feelings, attitude, or beliefs. What are my thoughts about this certain topic? It is how you view a certain topic or point. Issue A question or controversy responsible for the conversation or discussion. What is the individual reacting to? Can mostly be found in the beginning of the piece or even in the title. Conclusion The message that the speaker or writer wishes you to accept. What is the writer or speaker trying to prove? Conclusion is not an example, statistics or evidence of any kind Reason Explanations of rationales for why we should believe a particular conclusion. What’s the writer’s explanation for their claim? Can be found with evidence and explanations Values Unstated ideas that people see as worthwhile. What do you think is reasonable? Which values we think are most important will determine our value priorities. Ambiguity Refers to the existence of multiple possible meanings for a word or phrase. How would I define this term if I disagreed with the author’s position? Remember that if an alternative definition of a word or phrase would change the meaning of the discourse then that word or phrase is ambiguous. Assumptions Underlying unstated ideas or beliefs of the author that support the explicit reasoning. What assumptions does the author make about the conclusion from the reasoning? Look for both value and descriptive assumptions in the movement from reasons to the conclusion. Bias Biological factors that have considerable influence over what we believe and how we act Where does bias come from? It can make us avoid information that does not align with our beliefs and make us see connections between ideas that do not exist 2 Copyright © 01.2019 Valerie Hannah Revised 01.2020

Asking the Right Questions Instructor: Valerie Hannah Term Definition Key Question Hint very scientific and precise. of statistics? Rival Causes A plausible alternative explanation that can explain why a certain outcome occurred. How will the reader generate possible rival causes? Remember a rival cause is a different cause that could be supported by the same evidence. Significant Omitted Information Information that would affect whether you should be influenced by the communicator’s argument. How would the argument differ if the key terms were defined in other ways? Origin of facts alluded to in an argument is also often omitted. You will always want to know where the facts came from and if they are supported by well done research or reliable sources. Other Reasonable Conclusions Alternative conclusions that are not provided in the argument. “why is this the reason for the author’s conclusion” Other reasonable conclusions are alternative conclusions that are not provided in the argument. 4 Copyright © 01.2019 Valerie Hannah Revised 01.2020