critical thinking

Examples of critical thinking in the following topics:

• Listening and Critical Thinking

  • Critical thinking skills are essential and connected to the ability to listen effectively and process the information that one hears.
  • People use critical thinking to solve complex math problems or compare prices at the grocery store.
  • Critical thinking is imperative to effective communication, and thus, public speaking.
  • Expressed in most general terms, critical thinking is "a way of taking up the problems of life. " As such, reading, writing, speaking, and listening can all be done critically or uncritically insofar as core critical thinking skills can be applied to all of those activities.
  • Therefore, critical thinkers must engage in highly active listening to further their critical thinking skills.

• Critical Thinking

  • Learning how to think critically is a vital part of the organizational process of crafting an effective speech.
  • Critical thinking consists of intentional, reflective thinking about a given set of information and determining not only what to believe about that information but also how to act on it.
  • When you think of delivering a speech or a public address, you might not think that critical thinking plays a key role in the delivery of that speech.
  • Critical thinking is an important part of that organizational process.
  • Critical thinking consists of the following six key processes and actions:

• Reflective Thinking

  • Reflective thinking is using the scientific method to make a decision.
  • Dewey's method of critical thinking involves a disciplined mind in order to gain knowledge .
  • A disciplined mind needs intellectual control of the thinking process, which is so often emotionally based.
  • Reflective thinking is an excellent tool for identifying positive and negative aspects of a group work experience.
  • In public speaking, John Dewey's methods of reflective thinking are often taught to students.

• Personal Benefits of Public Speaking

  • Public speaking has great personal benefits, such as building self-esteem, honing critical thinking skills, and presenting networking opportunities.
  • If you're thinking, "Why would I want to do something so stressful?"
  • Public speaking is also a great way to build critical thinking skills.
  • If you start thinking critically about your speaking style, you may find ways to improve your general communication style at home and at work.
  • Preparing a speech forces speakers to take a step back and think critically about effective ways to communicate.

• Summary of the Benefits of Public Speaking

  • The process of writing a speech will exercise and strengthen your critical thinking skills, from the research to the actual speech-drafting.
  • When you write a speech, you have to think carefully about the best organizational framework, persuasive strategy, and language to communicate your message to the audience.
  • This type of thinking can help you improve your communication skills in other areas of your life.
  • Success in public speaking indicates creativity, critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, poise, and professionalism--qualities which are very valuable for the job market.

• Giving Effective Criticism: Be Positive, Specific, Objective, and Constructive

  • I think she bought it.").
  • Effective criticism can change what people think and do; thus, criticism is the birthplace of change.
  • Effective criticism can also be liberating.
  • Any one of these people can be a critic.
  • Hopefully they know how to criticize effectively.

• Research Tips: Start Early, Use a Bibliography, and Evaluate Material Critically

  • Start the research process early, consult a bibliography to find credible sources, and evaluate those sources critically.
  • Use your critical thinking skills to make sure you understand the context of your research!
  • Explain why starting research early, using a bibliography, and evaluating material critically is crucial to the research process

• Techniques for Accepting Criticism

  • When receiving criticism try to be: accepting, open-minded, and willing to seek clarity.
  • Accepting any criticism at all, even effective and potentially helpful criticism, can be difficult.
  • Ideally, effective criticism is positive, specific, objective, and constructive.
  • If you begin every task thinking that nothing will ever go wrong, you are fooling yourself.
  • If you do not understand the criticism, you are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.

• Cultural Differences in Approaching Criticism

  • When giving criticism, it is important to keep in mind cultural differences such as eye contact, verbal style, and speaker expectations.
  • Think about sitting in your college classroom listening to a lecturer.
  • When you provide feedback or criticism if you are from an individualistic culture, you may speak directly to one individual and that individual will be responsible.
  • Rules about maintaining eye contact vary from culture to culture and influence how we approach feedback, questioning, and criticism.
  • List the five areas where cultural differences play a role in giving and receiving criticism

• Types of Transitions

  • While the preview in the introduction discloses to the audience the general points to be made in the speech, the internal preview outlines the critical points to be made within the body of the speech.
  • Why do you think The Office is the number one show today?
  • Without them, your audience may just think that you are rambling.