The Elements of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking underlies academic performance and success. It also encompasses how thoroughly we evaluate information and how we act based on our understanding. Critical thinking is at the heart of everyday living.

Critical thinking is defined as thorough thinking, and it involves six core elements: Communication, analysis, problem-solving, evaluation, synthesis, and reflection.

Element #1: Communication in critical thinking

Communication in critical thinking means defining the main idea or problem in your own words. It helps to provide several supporting details and examples. You will need to present the details and examples logically and clearly.

Step 1: Please read the following hypothetical scenario, which is titled Deer Overpopulation.

Scenario: Deer Overpopulation

Three teenagers were seriously injured in a car accident when swerving to avoid a deer in on a two-lane road near a small, rural town in Florida. The residents of the town have seen more and more deer enter the town’s populated areas over recent years. Local law enforcement has been called numerous times this year to remove the animals from backyards and neighborhood streets, and one deer even caused considerable damage as it entered a restaurant in town. The mayor has been charged by the city leaders to keep the town residents safe. Local crops have even been damaged by the animals. Some long time residents have requested that the hunting season and catch limits be extended in order to reduce the deer population. One city leader even proposed that the city purchase electronic devices to deter the deer from entering populated areas. Health concerns have recently been elevated as three deer carcasses were found at the edge of town and local law enforcement suspect that the animals had been poisoned.

Step 2: In the space below, define the problem in your own words.

Step 3: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Communication element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Communication
Define problem in your own words. / Identifies the main idea or problem withnumeroussupportingdetails and examples which are organized logically and coherently / Identifies the main idea or problem with somesupporting details and examples in an organized manner / Identifies the main idea or problem with few details or examples in a somewhat organized manner / Identifies the main idea or problem poorly with few or no details or states the main idea or problem verbatim from the text. / Does not identify the main idea or problem / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments:

Element #2: Analysis

Analysis in critical thinking means comparing and contrasting available solutions to the problem. Analysis applies logic and evidence to make decisions while addressing any potential consequences from that decision. Also, applying analysis to critical thinking requires you to accurately identify facts and relevant information.

Ask yourself: Are relevant facts presented?

Are the facts consistent with each other?

Are the facts presented in a misleading way?

Are examples presented that support the facts?

Do the examples that are presented make sense given the facts?

Step 1: Based on the Deer Overpopulation Scenario, apply the Analysis element of critical thinking. In other words, compare and contrast available solutions to the problem that were addressed in the scenario. If none of the solutions presented seem logical to you, add other possible solutions. Also, accurately identify any relevant information that was presented in the scenario against facts and logic.

Step 2: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Analysis element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Analysis
Compare & contrast the available solutions. / Uses specificinductive or deductive reasoning to make inferences regarding premises;addresses implications and consequences; identifies facts and relevant information correctly / Uses logical reasoning to make inferences regarding solutions; addresses implications and consequences; Identifies facts and relevant information correctly / Uses superficial reasoning to make inferences regarding solutions; Shows some confusion regarding facts, opinions, and relevant, evidence, data, or information / Makes unexplained, unsupported, or unreasonable inferences regarding solutions; makes multiple errors in distinguishing fact from fiction or in selecting relevant evidence / Does not analyze multiple solutions / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments:

Element #3: Problem-Solving

Problem-solving in critical thinking means selecting a solution and defending your decision. It also includes using facts and evidence from your analysis section to defend your solution.

Step 1: Based on the Deer Overpopulation Scenario, apply the Problem-Solving element of critical thinking. In other words, select the best solution from the solutions you generated in your Analysis section. Then, use facts and evidence to defend your solution.

Step 2: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Problem-Solving element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Problem-Solving
Select & defend your final solution. / Thoroughly identifies and addresses key aspects of the problem and insightfullyuses facts and relevant evidence from analysis to support and defend potentially valid solutions / Identifies and addresses key aspects of the problem and uses facts and relevant evidence from analysis to develop potentially valid conclusions or solutions / Identifies and addresses some aspects of the problem; develops possible conclusions or solutions using some inappropriate opinions and irrelevant information from analysis / Identifies and addresses onlyoneaspect of the problem but develops untestable hypothesis; or develops invalid conclusions or solutions based on opinion or irrelevant information / Does not select and defend a solution / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments:

Element #4: Evaluation

Evaluation in critical thinking means identifying weaknesses to the solution you chose in your Problem-Solving section. To identify weaknesses, you will need to address any hidden assumptions that were made that may not be credible. You may also need to question the sources that reported the problem; in other words, were the facts from a credible source? You will also need to identify any other problems that may arise from the solution you selected.

Step 1: Based on the Deer Overpopulation Scenario, apply the Evaluation element of critical thinking. In other words, critically evaluate the weaknesses to the solution you chose in the Problem-Solving section. Also, identify any issues in the scenario that may be based on assumptions as opposed to facts. You will need to evaluate the extent to which the source of the information presented in the scenario was credible.

Step 2: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Evaluation element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Evaluation
Identify weaknesses in your final solution. / Insightfully interprets data or information;
identifies obvious as well as hidden assumptions, establishes credibility of sources on points other than authority alone, avoids fallacies in reasoning; distinguishes appropriate arguments from extraneous elements; provides sufficient logical support / Accurately interprets data or information;
identifies obvious assumptions, establishes credibility of sources on points other than authority alone, avoids fallacies in reasoning; distinguishes appropriate arguments from extraneous elements; provides sufficient logical support / Makes some errors in data or information interpretation; makes arguments using weak evidence; provides superficial support for conclusions or solutions / Interprets data or information incorrectly;
Supports conclusions or solutions withoutevidence or logic; uses data, information, or evidence skewed by invalid assumptions; uses poorsources of information; uses fallacious arguments / Does not evaluate data, information, or evidence related to final solution. / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments:

Element #5: Synthesis

Synthesis in critical thinking means suggesting ways to improve and strengthen the solution you chose. This will require relating concepts and ideas from multiple and credible sources to enhance the solution you chose. The synthesis element also requires that you recognize missing information that would need to be researched and answered to strengthen the solution you chose.

Step 1: Based on the Deer Overpopulation Scenario, apply the Synthesis element of critical thinking. In other words, explain ways to improve and strengthen the solution you chose in the Problem-Solving section. Also, explain ways to improve any weaknesses you identified in the Evaluation section by integrating new information that would enhance the solution you chose.

Step 2: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Synthesis element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Synthesis
Suggest ways to improve/strengthen your final solution. / Insightfully relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; usesnew information to enhance final solution; recognizesmissing information; correctly identifies potential effects of new information. / Accurately relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; uses new information to enhance final solution; correctly identifies potential effects of new information. / Inaccurately or incompletely relates concepts and ideas from multiple sources; shallow determination of effect of new information on final solution / Poorly integrates information from more than one source to support final solution; Incorrectly predicts the effect of new information on final solution / Does not identify new information for final solution / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments:

Element #6: Reflection

Reflection in critical thinking means thinking about your own thought process as you worked through the scenario. In other words, you need to ponder what you learned from the process of applying the six elements of critical thinking to a scenario. Reflection also encourages you to identify what you might do differently next time to improve your critical thinking process.

Step 1: Based on your experiences working through the Deer Overpopulation Scenario, apply the Reflection element of critical thinking by answering the following questions:

  • What did you learn from this process?
  • What were you strengths and weaknesses in your own thinking during this process?
  • What personal assumptions influenced your thinking during this process?
  • What would you do differently next time to improve your thinking process?

Step 2: How did you do? Use the rubric below to assess your Reflection element in critical thinking.

Performance
Element / Exemplary
(4) / Proficient
(3) / Developing
(2) / Emerging
(1) / Not Present
(0) / Score
Reflection
Reflect on your own thought process.
“What did you learn from this process?”
“What would you do differently next time to improve?” / Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, and evaluates them in the context of alternate points of view / Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, and evaluates them in the context of alternate points of view / Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives;
recognizes some assumptions, values and perspectives of others; shallow comparisons of alternate points of view / Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives;
doesnot consider alternate points of view / Does not reflect on own thinking / 4 3 2 1 0
    
N/A 
Comments: