One of the key skills underpinning much of critical thinking is the ability to reason independently of one’s prior beliefs and opinions. A number of studies have shown that we are able to critically evaluate conclusions that are inconsistent with our own much more easily than we can evaluate those which are consistent with our own. Researchers at the University of Toronto pushed this line of thinking further. They wanted to see whether it might not be more than just our prior beliefs and continue...

Presenting arguments skills: 1. Present supporting reasons and evidence for their conclusion(s) which address the concerns of the audience. 2. Negotiate fairly and persuasively. 3. Present an argument succinctly in such a way as to convey the crucial point of issue. 4. Cite relevant evidence and experiences to support their position.  5. Formulate accurately and consider alternative positions and opposing points of view, noting and evaluating evidence and key assumptions on both sides. 6. continue...

1. Be curious and inquire about how and why things work. 2. Be organized, orderly, and focused in inquiry or in thinking. 3. Willingly persevere and persist at a complex task.  4. Be flexible and creative in seeking solutions.  5. Be inclined to arrive at a reasonable decision in situations where there is more than one plausible solution.  6. Apply insights from cultures other than their own.  7. Exhibit honesty in facing up to their prejudices, biases, or tendency to consider a problem continue...

Reflection skills: 1. Apply the skills of their own analysis and evaluation to their arguments to confirm and/or correct their reasoning and results. 2. Critically examine and evaluate their vested interests, beliefs, and assumptions in supporting an argument or judgment. 3. Make revisions in arguments and findings when self-examination reveals inadequacies. http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000195.pdf U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. The NPEC Sourcebook continue...

Presenting arguments skills 1. Present supporting reasons and evidence for their conclusion(s) which address the concerns of the audience.  2. Negotiate fairly and persuasively. 3. Present an argument succinctly in such a way as to convey the crucial point of issue.  4. Cite relevant evidence and experiences to support their position.  5. Formulate accurately and consider alternative positions and opposing points of view, noting and evaluating evidence and key assumptions on both sides. 6. continue...

Collecting and Questioning Evidence 1. Determine what is the most significant aspect of a problem or issue that needs to be addressed, prior to collecting evidence.  2. Formulate a plan for locating information to aid in determining if a given opinion is more or less reasonable than a competing opinion.  3. Combine disparate pieces of information whose connection is not obvious, but when combined offer insight into a problem or issues. 4. Judge what background information would be useful to continue...

1. Assess the importance of an argument and determine if it merits attention. * * * 2. Evaluate an argument in terms of its reasonability and practicality. * * * * * * 3. Evaluate the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of sources of information. * * * * * * 4. Determine if an argument rests on false, biased, or doubtful assumptions. * * * * * * * 5. Assess statistical information used as evidence to support an argument. * * * * * 6. Assess how well an argument anticipates possible continue...

Examining Ideas and Purpose 1. Recognize the relationship between the purpose of a communication and the problems or issues that must be resolved in achieving that purpose. 2. Assess the constraints of the practical applications of an idea. 3. Identify the ideas presented and assess the interests, attitudes, or views contained in those ideas. * 4. Identify the stated, implied, or undeclared purpose(s) of a communication. Examining Ideas and Purpose: 1. Recognize the relationship continue...

Categorization: 1. Formulate categories, distinctions, or frameworks to organize information in such a manner to aid comprehension. 2. Translate information from one medium to another to aid comprehension without altering the intended meaning. 3. Make comparisons; note similarities and differences between or among informational items. 4. Classify and group data, findings, and opinions on the basis of attributes or a given criterion. Detecting Indirect Persuasion: 1. continue...