The Elements of Reasoning Gerald Nosich, Learning to Think Things Through

What is critical thinking? “Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.” --Robert Ennis

What is critical thinking? “Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.” --Robert Ennis “Critical thinking is skillful, responsible thinking that is conducive to good judgment because it is sensitive to context, relies on criteria, and is self-correcting.” --Matthew Lippman

What is critical thinking? “Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.” --Robert Ennis “Critical thinking is skillful, responsible thinking that is conducive to good judgment because it is sensitive to context, relies on criteria, and is self-correcting.” --Matthew Lippman “Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking, while you’re thinking, in order to make your thinking better.” --Richard Paul

The Elements of Reasoning

Purpose What is the purpose of this task or problem? What are my goals? What is the writer’s purpose in this text? What is the purpose of the assignment?

Question at Issue What is the question at issue in this task or problem? What is the question at issue of this writer?

Information What is the main information involved in this task or problem? What is the writer’s information? What evidence do I have to back up my claim?

Concepts What are the concepts involved in this task or problem? What are the concepts the writer is using? What are the concepts the argument turns on? What are the concepts of this theory?

Point of View What is my point of view in this task or problem? What other points of view are involved in this task? What is the writer’s point of view in this text?

Assumptions What are my assumptions about this task or problem? What are the assumptions of the person assigning this task? What assumptions is this writer making?

Implications and Consequences What are the implications of this task or problem? What are the implications of the writer’s reasoning? What are the consequences, positive and negative, of making this decision?

Alternatives What alternatives could I consider about this task or problem? What alternatives could the writer make? What are some possible alternatives to this problem?

Context What is the wider context of this task or problem? What is the wider context of the issue that the writer explores?

Conclusions, Interpretations What conclusions or interpretations do I reach about this task or problem? What conclusions or interpretations does the writer make? What are some possible solutions to this problem?

Using the Elements To decide how to solve a problem or complete a task, academic or personal To analyze your reasoning in solving a problem To analyze the reasoning of others To analyze the reasoning in a piece of writing