Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking is essential for academic success.

In this context, “to be critical” does not mean “to criticize.” Instead, it means to appraise something in an objective, unbiased manner, based upon evidence and analysis.

The Center for Critical Thinking defines critical thinking as follows:

"Critical thinking is that mode of thinking—about any subject, content, or problem—in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it [the thinking itself]. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking."

The Critical Thinking Community link

In other words

Critical thinkers

• ask questions
• resist manipulation
• are honest with themselves; explore the feelings under thoughts
• are intellectually independent
• suspend judgment
• use evidence to reach conclusions
• are open to change
• look for and make connections between subjects

Critical thinkers are able to

• clarify issues
• analyze/evaluate arguments
• explore implications
• distinguish relevant from irrelevant facts
• generate/assess solutions and conclusions

adapted from Paul, Binker, Jensen, and Kreklau [1990]