What is Critical Thinking?

It is the ability to analyze information objectively and form a reasoned judgment. It involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and considering different perspectives before reaching a conclusion. It’s a process of actively and skillfully applying analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to information gathered from various sources. 

What does Critical Thinking involve?

“Thinking, reading, and writing are all forms of relationship–when you read, you enter into dialogue with an author about the subject at hand; when you write, you address an imaginary reader, testing ideas…Critical thinking is always a matter of dialogue and debate…”  (Colombo, Gary, at el. Rereading America, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013)

Critical thinkers:                                                                            

• Ask questions
• Gather relevant information
• Think through solutions and conclusions
• Consider alternative systems of thought
• Communicate effectively

They’re willing to admit when they’re wrong or when they don’t know the answer, rather than digging into a gut reaction or emotional point of view.

While there is no official standard list of the skills that make up critical thinking, here is the list of core characteristics that we like best!

While there is no official standard list of the skills that make up critical thinking, here is the list of core characteristics.

Interpretation

• Recognizing a problem and describing it without bias​

• Distinguishing the main idea from a text​

• Constructing a tentative categorization or organization structure​

• Clarifying the meaning of a sign, chart, or graph

Analysis

• Identifying similarities and differences between two approaches to a solution

• Isolating the main claim made in an editorial or statement and tracing it back to the supporting reasons for that claim

Evaluation

• Judging an author or speaker’s credibility​

• Determining whether the evidence at hand supports the conclusion being drawn

• Recognizing whether an argument’s conclusion follows with certainty or confidence from its premises

Inference

• Identifying the implications of the position someone is advocating

• Predicting what will happen next in a given situation

• Developing a workable plan to gather information to resolve an uncertainty

Explanation

• Constructing a chart or graph to organize your findings​

• Stating research results and describing the required methods and criteria

• Citing the evidence that led you to accept or reject another person’s position on an issue

Self-Regulation

• Checking for understanding of an author or speaker without injecting your own views and ideas

• Reminding yourself to separate personal opinions and assumptions from those of the author of a text

• Reconsidering your interpretation in view of new analyses or facts, or errors discovered in your work

Sources