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Version 3d

Home > Library Resources > Becoming a Critical Thinker

Becoming a Critical Thinker

	Author: Vincent Ryan Ruggiero Publisher: Boston: Houghton Mifflin [2001] Description: 4th ed. vxii, 200p.: ill. (some color) ISBN: 0618122060 Location: KCC Library - Reserve Collection (Circulation Desk) Call Number: BF455 .R829 2001
Subject(s) Thought and thinking Problems, exercises, etc. Critical thinking Problems, exercises, etc. Creative thinking Problems, exercises, etc.
Summary This well-known study skills text approaches critical thinking from a 'student-as-consumer-of-information' perspective. This unique method of teaching critical thinking incorporates relevant and timely examples from the Internet, advertising, TV, music and print media that encourage students to apply the skills outlined in their own lives. Many new features and expanded material have been added to this new fourth edition including; new Solving Problems chapter; new Thinking Critically about Research chapter; new Thinking Critically about Movies chapter; The increased examples of technical writing will help students overcome problems in Science and Maths courses. Becoming a Critical Thinker stresses concrete and practical applications of critical thinking in everyday situations. The concise structure makes the text a useful supplement to any student success course, and its use of timely examples--from advertising, television, music, and the Internet--help students connect the skills outlined to their own lives. The text is divided into a series of cumulative activities and includes exercises linked to further activities on the Web.
Table of Contents (Note: Each chapter concludes with a quiz) Acknowledgements - v Contents - vi To the Instructor - xi About the book - xii Strategies for Effective Learning - xiii Plan your days - xii Tackle unpleasant tasks immediately - xiii Chip away at big jobs - xiv Take charge of your mind - xiv Listen actively - xv Refuse to tolerate confusion - xv Study efficiently - xv Capture insights - xvi Read for understanding - xvi Improve your retention - xvii Turn these strategies into habits - xvii 1. Mastering the Fundamentals - 1 What is thinking? - 2 Critical thinking is crucial - 3 Be clear about truth - 5 Be alert for contradictions - 9 Recognize opinions - 11 Test opinions - 15 Evaluate evidence - 18 Dare to change your mind - 21 .....A sample issue - 21 A comprehensive thinking strategy - 24 .....Step 1: Observe - 24 .....Step 2: Record your observations - 25 .....Step 3: Address relevant questions - 26 Quiz - 33 2. Becoming an Individual - 35 Understand individuality - 36 Know your attitudes and values- 37 Know your mental habits - 41 Practice critical thinking behaviors - 47 Be constructive in discussions - 57 Present your ideas to advantage - 59 Quiz - 63 3. Evaluating Arguments - 65 What is argument? - 66 What is evidence? - 67 Step 1: Understand the argument - 68 Step 2: Seek out competing views - 75 Step 3: Sort out disagreements - 76 Step 4: Make your judgment - 77 Quiz - 87 4. Solving Problems - 89 Cultivate creativity - 90 See problems as opportunities - 90 Nurture your curiosity - 93 A problem-solving strategy - 97 Quiz - 105 5. Recognizing Errors in Thinking - 107 Three kinds of errors - 108 Errors of perception - 108 Errors of judgment - 114 Errors of reaction - 122 Errors can multiply - 127 Quiz - 129 6. Applying Critical Thinking - 131 Thinking critically about research - 132 Thinking critically about commercials - 137 Thinking critically about print advertising - 143 Thinking critically about TV programming - 145 Thinking critically about movies - 154 Thinking critically about music - 157 Thinking critically about magazines - 160 Thinking critically about newspapers - 163 Thinking critically about the Internet - 165 Quiz - 173 7. Expressing Ideas Persuasively - 177 What is persuasion? - 176 Guidelines for persuasion - 177 Being persuasive in school - 180 Being persuasive in the workplace - 181 Being persuasive in the community - 182 Being persuasive in relationships - 183 Quiz - 189 Epilogue - 191 Bibliography - 193 Index - 196 About the Author - 200
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