Thinking for Yourself Text Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Reading and Writing

by Mayfield, Marlys

• ISBN13: 9780155062566
• ISBN10: 0155062565
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-07
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

THINKING FOR YOURSELF teaches students standards for evaluating the thinking of others as they engage in critical reading. Moving from the simple to the complex, the book begins with such basics as distinguishing fact from opinion in preparation for developing more advanced cognitive skills. Each chapter builds on previously developed skills, reinforcing the connections through exercises and writing assignments. With its lucid exposition, real-world examples, and engaging mix of cartoons, multicultural readings and exercises, this ground-breaking book helps students write more clearly by showing them how to focus on their own thinking and perception.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
Introduction to Critical Thinking	1	(11)
Part 1 BASICS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Observation Skills: What's Out There?	12	(30)
Word Precision: How Do I Describe It?	42	(33)
Facts: What's Real?	75	(29)
Inferences: What Follows?	104	(32)
Part II PROBLEMS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Assumptions: What's Taken for Granted?	136	(31)
Opinions: What's Believed?	167	(19)
Evaluations: What's Judged?	186	(23)
Viewpoints: What's the Filter?	209	(31)
Part III FORMS AND STANDARDS OF CRITICAL THINKING
Argument: What's a Good Argument?	240	(29)
Fallacies: What's a Faulty Argument?	269	(29)
Inductive Reasoning and Inductive Fallacies: How Do I Reason From Evidence?	298	(43)
Deductive Reasoning: How Do I Reason from Premises?	341	(36)
Appendix The Research Paper	377	(12)
Index	389