Critical thinking - Midterm

1. Explain in details about critical thinking, and the answer should be more related
to the course??
Critical Thinking is the process of using reasoning to distinguish what is true, and
what is false; in the phrases and "sound bytes" we hear every day. (A brief
recorded statement)
Thinking is all of the mental activities associated with concept- formation,
problem solving, intellectual functioning, creativity, complex learning, memory
and imagery .
Critical thinking is clear, based on reason, logical, and independent thinking.
It’s about improving thinking by analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing how we
think.
It also means thinking in a self-regulated and self-corrective manner. It’s thinking
on purpose!
Critical thinking involves mindful communication, problem-solving, and a freedom
from bias or egocentric tendency.
You can apply critical thinking to any kind of subject, problem, or situation you
choose.
Critical thinking together make up the systematic study of reasoning, and
reasoning is what we do when we draw a conclusion on the basis of other claims.
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2. What are the parts of argument and explain each of them

The four parts of an argument:
Claims,
 counterclaims,
reasons,
And evidence.
A claim is the main argument.
A counterclaim is the opposite of the argument, or the
opposing argument.
A reason tells why the claim is made and is supported by the
evidence.
Evidence is the proof of the argument or confirmation
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3. Explain the following in terms of classification level of thinking.

Evaluation—Critiquing or systematic study, rating, grading,
assaying, assessing, inferring or assume, drawing conclusions,
forming opinions.
SYNTHESIS—redesigning, recreating, putting back together in a
different way.
ANALYSIS—examining, taking apart, breaking down.
APPLICATION—using knowledge & comprehension; solving
problems.
COMPREHENSION—understanding, paraphrasing, interpreting
KNOWLEDGE—naming, recognizing, identifying, recalling,
reciting, etc
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4. Explain in details and precise the following in terms of critical thinking and the
answer should be more related to the course?
1. Arguments
2. Statement
3. Premises
4. Conclusions,
Argument Definition: An argument is a group of statements some of which, the
premises, are offered in support of another statement, the conclusion. An argument is
a group of statements including one or more premises and one and only one
conclusion.
Statement: A statement is a sentence that is either true or false, such as Many
sentences are not statements, such as "Close the door, please" , "How old are you?“
Premises: A premise is a statement in an argument that provides reason or support for
the conclusion. There can be one or many premises in a single argument.
A conclusion is a statement in an argument that indicates of what the arguer is trying
to convince the reader/listener. What is the argument trying to prove? There can be
only one conclusion in a single argument.
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5. Write down the six (6) Common steps of critical thinking about source
There are 6 common steps of thinking critically about sources:
◦ Describing – by clearly defining what you are talking about, what specifically
was involved, where it took place and under what circumstances.
◦ Reflecting – reconsidering a topic by taking into account new information or a
new experience, or considering other viewpoints.
◦ Analyzing – examining and then explaining how something is, including
comparing and contrasting different elements and understanding relationships to
your subject/topic.
◦ Critiquing – identifying and examining weaknesses in arguments, as well as
acknowledging its strengths. It’s important to think of critiquing as ‘neutral’ and
not negative.
◦ Reasoning – using methods such as cause and effect to demonstrate logical
thinking, as well as presenting evidence that either refutes or proves an
argument.
◦ Evaluating – can include commenting on the degrees of success and failure of
something, or the value of something
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6. Problem solving in critical system, there are

steps in part I and Part II what are they,
Part I - Recognizing – understand – hypothesize
– imagine assume
part II – analyzing the information - recombine
the information – check hypothesis
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7. Describe in details about critical thinking skills, the answer has to be
related with course
Critical thinking skills assist to determine the accuracy and worth of
information or claims. Critical thinking skills include such skills as:
distinguishing between facts and opinions,
detecting bias,
Examining evidence and considering alternatives before making a decision.
Critical thinking is making a judgment about what would be sensible or
reasonable to believe or do in any situation.
Simply engaging in thinking processes cannot be viewed as engaging in
critical thinking rather a particular set of qualities of thinking are required for
critical thinking.
The intellectual tools required for critical thinking include background
knowledge, criteria for judgment, critical thinking vocabulary, thinking
strategies and habits of mind.
Teacher must directly and systematically teach the range of intellectual tools.
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8. What is an argumentative essay?

The argumentative essay is a type or kind of writing
that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect,
generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a
position on the topic in a concise manner.
Argumentative essay assignments generally call for
extensive research of literature or previously published
material.
Argumentative assignments may also require empirical
research where the student collects data through
interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments.
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9. What are the components of an argumentative essay?

A statement of the issue
A statement of one’s position on that issue
 Arguments that support one’s position
Rebuttals or disprove or denial of arguments that support
contrary positions
Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic
and to understand different points of view regarding the topic
so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the
evidence collected during research.
Regardless of the amount or type of research involved,
argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow
sound reasoning.
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10 Explain in details about argument?

An argument is a set of "claims", or
"statements"
 Arguments:  Argument is a statement or set of
statements that you use in order to try to convince
people that your opinion about something is correct. 
Argument is defined as a process whereby people
reason their way from one set of problematic ideas
to the choice of another.
Based on this concept, six characteristics of
arguments are identified.
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11. Write down all premise indicators--words like

because, since, for, and given that for, since,
because, for the reason that, granted that, in
that, seeing that, for the reason that,--that
provide clues when premises are being offered.
12. Deductive argument there are three
possibilities what are they?
Technological possibility
Physical possibility
Logical possibility
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13. Explain the following
Warrant—the connection made between the support and the reasons of an
argument.
Counterargument—an opposing argument to the one you make.  An argument
can have multiple counterarguments.
Complex Arguments–these are formed by more than individual premises that
point to a conclusion.  Complex arguments may have layers to them, including
an intermediate argument that may act as both a conclusion (with its own
premises) and a premise (for the main conclusion).
Logic—shows how ideas fit together by using reason.
Premise Indicators—terms that signals that a premise, or reason, is coming.
Conclusion Indicator—terms that signals that a conclusion, or claim, is coming
A conclusion indicator is a word or phrase that indicates that the statement it's
attached to is a conclusion.
Support—anything used as proof or reasoning for an argument.  This includes
evidence, experience, and logic