The Good Thinker’s Toolkit Ways to write an AWESOME paper & win almost any argument! Ways to write an AWESOME paper & win almost any argument!

Who is the mastermind behind this?  Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) at University of Hawaii-Manoa  Began the spread of P4C  Dr. Thomas Jackson (Dr. J) at University of Hawaii-Manoa  Began the spread of P4C

Who does this work for?  Anyone! In any subject.  Your students  Even you!  Anyone! In any subject.  Your students  Even you! Why should I try this?  Your students will participate in better discussions.  They will understand content on a deeper level.  Your students will participate in better discussions.  They will understand content on a deeper level.

What will your students produce? (Examples from Night)  Why are the Hungarian/German police being polite to the Jews when they are cruel and killing them?  Can we assume by Madame Schachter’s screaming that the other Jews started feeling the same way?  Can we infer that Elie does not believe in God anymore?  Why are the Hungarian/German police being polite to the Jews when they are cruel and killing them?  Can we assume by Madame Schachter’s screaming that the other Jews started feeling the same way?  Can we infer that Elie does not believe in God anymore?

Sounds good! How do I do it? I’m so glad you asked…  Establish “intellectual safety”  Reinforce the importance of community  Teach and use the Good Thinker’s Toolkit  Establish “intellectual safety”  Reinforce the importance of community  Teach and use the Good Thinker’s Toolkit

W =What do you mean by…  Clarifying Questions  Who, what, when, where  Examples  What is the problem?  What is going on here?  What have I forgotten to ask?  What else do I need to know?  What does this mean?  Clarifying Questions  Who, what, when, where  Examples  What is the problem?  What is going on here?  What have I forgotten to ask?  What else do I need to know?  What does this mean?

R =Reasons  These questions have more than one answer!  “Why” questions  “Because” is a magic word!  It means someone is going to give you something! (a reason!)  Ask yourself--is it a “good” reason or not valid (an excuse)  These questions have more than one answer!  “Why” questions  “Because” is a magic word!  It means someone is going to give you something! (a reason!)  Ask yourself--is it a “good” reason or not valid (an excuse)

A =Assumptions  Opinion or idea that is not based on good reason or evidence  A conclusion we consciously or unconsciously take for granted as true.  Stereotypes!  Qq-Questions within a question  Example: “Aloha gas, the gas that islanders choose”  Ask yourself, “do all islanders choose Aloha gas?”  Opinion or idea that is not based on good reason or evidence  A conclusion we consciously or unconsciously take for granted as true.  Stereotypes!  Qq-Questions within a question  Example: “Aloha gas, the gas that islanders choose”  Ask yourself, “do all islanders choose Aloha gas?”

I =Inferences/If…then…/ Implications  Opinion or idea that is based on evidence  If _____, then I can infer ______.  Example:  If “real” is something that is experienced by one of your 5 senses, then I can infer that “knowledge” is not “real.”  Implications  If a person wears a ring, he or she is married  What are the implications of this statement?

T =True?  Is what is being said true?  How can we find out?  What are the implications if this is true?  What are other possibilities?  Example:  “Fat Free” potato chips  Is there really no fat?  How can we find out?  What will happen if this is true?  Is what is being said true?  How can we find out?  What are the implications if this is true?  What are other possibilities?  Example:  “Fat Free” potato chips  Is there really no fat?  How can we find out?  What will happen if this is true?

E =Examples & Evidence  Specific things used to prove an argument  NOT “but my friend/parent said…” or “but I heard…”  Quote your own writing to self-evaluate  Are you using valid examples?  Do they really help prove your point or are they fluff?  Reminder:  Make sure your evidence is specific to what you are trying to prove! (not just something you think sounds cool)  Specific things used to prove an argument  NOT “but my friend/parent said…” or “but I heard…”  Quote your own writing to self-evaluate  Are you using valid examples?  Do they really help prove your point or are they fluff?  Reminder:  Make sure your evidence is specific to what you are trying to prove! (not just something you think sounds cool)

C =Counterexamples  Are there any counter examples to the claim being made?  These are examples to DISPROVE an argument  Think ahead:  How will someone try to prove your argument is false?  How will you prove that they are incorrect?  Look at all sides!!!  Don’t be biased!  Are there any counter examples to the claim being made?  These are examples to DISPROVE an argument  Think ahead:  How will someone try to prove your argument is false?  How will you prove that they are incorrect?  Look at all sides!!!  Don’t be biased!

The Community Ball  Ideally done on the first day of class  Students tell about themselves.  Used with class discussions.  “Whoever has the ball, has the floor”  Ideally done on the first day of class  Students tell about themselves.  Used with class discussions.  “Whoever has the ball, has the floor”

“Plain Vanilla” Student genrerated questions Write on the board so they can see easily Vote on what they would most like to discuss as a class.

Here’s what it looks like in action!

Special thanks to my Hawaii students!