Critical thinking

Being a critical thinker

A person proficient in this attribute can:

• identify and apply themselves to problems, and
• create new or imaginative perspectives or solutions.

A critical thinker:

• evaluates information by breaking it down and examining its component parts, or
• takes dispersed, disconnected ideas and information and synthesises them, or
• creates something new from them.

To critically analyse something requires independent thinking and creativity. It involves making a judgement as to the position adopted or rejected, and backing it up with evidence from the synthesised material.

Becoming a critical thinker

Basic

• comprehending meanings in text 
• being aware of the relevance of the source of the information,
• the motives of the writer,
• when and where the material was created,
• making straightforward inferences, and
• using basic skills such as comparing and contrasting.

Intermediate

Is basic plus being able to:

• rank the relevance and importance of sources of information,
• engage in deeper comparative analysis,
• comprehend both explicit and implicit meanings and relationships in text,
• track the application of theories and models throughout the work of various commentators, identifying assumptions, and developing a critical perspective on material.

Advanced

Is intermediate plus being able to:

• using analysis to challenge assumptions underlying present theory and practice,
• reflect on the evaluation by reference to oneís own perspectives,
• developing new perspectives and critically analysing what they in turn have to offer.

Test your skills: Critical thinking

To test your critical thinking skills, this activity was developed by UTS: Law lecturer, Bill Childs:
Test your skills: Critical thinking

Recommended reading

Brookfield, S. et al Conversations with critical thinkers, Whitman Institute, San Francisco, 1993
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 160 BROO

Diestler, S. Becoming a critical thinker: a user-friendly manual, Macmillan, New York, 1994
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 160 DIES

Kim, J.C.S. The art of creative critical thinking, University Press of America, 1994
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 160 KIMJ

Moore, B.N. Critical Thinking, Mayfield, California, 4th ed, 1995
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 160 MOOR (ED.4)

Paul, R et al. Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Personal and Professional Life, FT Press, 2002
available online via UTS Library