Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking
Recognize Assumptions
Distinguish fact from opinion
What is the basis of your opinion?
What evidence do you have to support it?
Why do you believe the information
is accurate?
Why do you think this would apply
to this problem?
Consider relevance
What assumptions are you making?
Why do you believe your assumptions
apply to this situation?
What assumptions do you think other
people are making?
If we were to shift our assumptions,
how would that affect our decision?
Seek alternative viewpoints
How do you see the situation?
Why do you see it this way?
What were you expecting to see?
How do you see this playing out
in the future?
How might the situation be different
if different assumptions were made?
Evaluate Arguments
Be aware of persuasion techniques
What's in it for me?
What's their intent?
What are the consequences?
Recognize bias
Is this statement free of judgment?
Is there confirmation bias?
Check strong emotions
How is emotion affecting the way
information is being presented
to you?
How are your emotions affecting
your ability to think critically?
How would you interpret the same
data if strong emotions were not
at play?
Draw Conclusions
Weigh data carefully
Where does the data come from?
Why consider the data?
Is data relevant?
What's most important?
What does the data say?
How else can the data be interpreted?
Use multiple sources
How many sources are used and for
what purpose?
Are there other source that could
be used?
Ask others to critique
Who should critique your work and
why?
What do you want them to do?
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