5 ESSENTIAL CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Critical thinking is a habit of mind that helps you explore ideas. It is both an attitude and a set of skills. A critical thinking attitude includes keeping an open mind and a willingness to have any idea questioned. Critical thinking skills include being able to define the idea in front of you clearly, determine the quality of evidence supporting that idea, and understand its’ implications or consequence.

CRAFTING CRITICAL QUESTIONS
Pose a precise question that you want to explore.

PERSPECTIVES
Collect the perspectives on multiple sides of the idea. Be able to state them fairly such that the people holding them would accept your summary.

INFORMATION LITERACY
Test the idea first by examining the evidence or information supporting it. To what degree is the evidence or information the result of a comprehensive, credible and objective process?

ANALYSIS, CONCLUSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES 
Examine the elements and the structure of the idea. What conclusions and consequences follow from the claims, arguments and elements? Which arguments are the strongest?

REFLECTIVE JOURNEY
Be thoughtful about your own thinking. Fight your own biases that cause you to be quick to judge. Be open to new information that may challenge or change your own perspectives.