We need to understand what is critical thinking —
and what is not critical thinking — because the
entire nonfiction writing process, in many experts' opinions,
is the best way to learn to think and is often also the best way
to assess learning.
What is critical thinking? Not bad.
The word critical has a Greek root that meant to sort
things in order to make a decision about them.
Today most common American English meaning of the word critical
means having a tendency to find fault. However, as you know, words
frequently have more than one meaning and when that happens, the
definition must be determined from the context.
An examination of sentences in which the word critical
is paired with the word thinking, reveals that critical
thinking refers to something positive or desirable. So we
go back to the dictionary to look for another meaning of critical
that does not refer to something bad or negative.
Critical means analytical, evaluative
A second definition of critical means characterized
by careful analysis and judgment. When we ask, "What
is critical thinking?" it is this second definition of critical
that we are using.
The "dictionary definition" of critical thinking, then,
is thinking that is analytical and evaluative,
the kinds of higher level thinking of Bloom's
taxonomy.
Critical thinking boils down to making decisions on a logical
rather than an emotional basis.
(Incidentally, analyzing words in context is a criticial thinking
strategy used for developing vocabulary for reading comprehension
and writing. That topic is discussed on the reading
and writing thread.)
Critical thinking is aware thinking
Critical thinking involves being conscious of what thought
processes you are using when you are thinking.
For example, you may consciously apply particular strategies
to make sure you don't overlook some important facet of your task.
Or you might ask yourself whether you are engaging in any logical
fallicies as you are thinking.
Critical thinking is comprehensive
When people engage in critical thinking, they use the full range
of skills shown on Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives.
They don't just recall or recognize information;
they manipulate information in various ways, for example by analysis
or by synthesizing information.
Ultimately they may make value judgments about it (the
best solution to a problem, for example).
Sometimes they may even develop something entirely different
from the material based on the depth of their understanding acquired
via the critical thinking process. It is not a stretch to say
that critical thinking is the foundation for creative thinking.
More thoughtful pages on thinking
Once you understand the definition of critical thinking, you
will find it easy to understand that teaching writing is a superb
way of teaching critical thinking skills. Pages on teaching students
to use critical thinking are scattered throughout this web site.
Here's a list of where you'll find them:
Resources
for learning about critical thinking
Expository
writing develops critical thinking
Critical
thinking strategies must be taught as part of essay writing
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