THINK
In your opinion, is it harder to think critically than to base your arguments on how you feel about a topic? Why or why not? What are the advantages of finding answers based on your feelings? What about those that are based on critical thinking? How might you use both approaches in seeking answers?
WRITE
One major shift from being a high school student to being a college student is the level of critical thinking your college instructors expect of you. How would you describe critical thinking to a high school student or one of your middle or high school children?
APPLY
After reading this chapter, think of professionals (doctors, engineers, marketing professionals) for whom problem solving and critical thinking are necessary. Choose one career, and describe why you think critical thinking is a necessary and valuable skill in that area. Also, try to think of any careers where critical thinking is not involved. Which of these careers has more or less appeal to you and why?
Describe an experience you have had since coming to college that has challenged you to think about an issue in a new and different way.