Definition of Critical Thinking

Definition of Critical Thinking

The first reading contained the following definition of critical thinking:

According to Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987 located at http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

This definition uses words with which you may be unfamiliar.

First, write the definitions for the following words:

Conceptualizing

Analyzing

Synthesizing

Second, re-write the definition of critical thinking in your own words. If you like, use more than one sentence.

Be sure to include citations as needed and write in first person

2 Eight Elements of Thought and Reasoning

The Eight Elements of Thought and the Eight Elements of reasoning both have eight parts, but there are only four real distinct categories. For example, Point of View and Assumptions are two aspects of the same thing.

Re-organize the eight elements of thought and reasoning into four categories. Briefly describe each category. Include the characteristics of the original eight elements in your descriptions.

4 Intellectual Standards

From the article on Universal Intellectual Standards, select one standard. Describes how using that standard has helped you in your:

1. Work life

2. School life

3. Personal life

Write three paragraphs, one each for your work life, school life and personal life. Each paragraph should contain at least one example.

6Using the 8 elements of reasoning that were outlined in week 2 (Purpose, problem, information, concepts, assumptions, inferences, points of view, implications or consequences) choose a news article and break it down according to those elements. You will also describe how each of the 8 intellectual standards (clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness) were used or not used in the article, supported by an example. The conclusion of your paper will then need to describe how you feel the article is biased. Please be sure to include the URL for the article that you have chosen. Your response should be at least 500 words.