Critical Thinking

Looking at the Reasons

Let’s review last week’s questions.

What is the main _____?

What is the main issue?

What are the 2 types of issues?

Descriptive – “matter-of-fact”

Prescriptive – according to rules; how the world should operate.

What is the _________?

What is the conclusion?

Let’s add a new questionto our list:

What are the reasons?

When someone expresses an opinion, we expect to hear good reasons before we are willing to

accept the opinion.

Reasons are:

Beliefs

Evidence (e.g. statistics, facts)

Comparisons (analogies & metaphors)

Other Statements (e.g. quotations)

that attempt to support the conclusion.

You cannot judge whether a conclusion is

good until you identify and evaluate the

reasons supporting the conclusion.

Thus, identifying the reasons is a crucial1

step in the critical thinking process.

1crucial – of highest importance; decisive, critical

Step 1 in Identifying the Reasons

Ask yourself, “Why?”

Look at the conclusion and ask,

“Why does the writer / speaker believe that?”

This will help you decide if a statement

qualifies as a reason.

(1) Should the Chinese educational system put so

much emphasis on written English tests for entrance

to a university? (2) Studies have shown that there is

not always a correlation between test scores and

speaking ability. (3) Moreover, fewer than 10% of

Chinese college graduates will use English on the job.

(4) Therefore, the relative importance of English

test- scores for college entrance requirements should

be reduced for Chinese students.

What is the issue?

What is the conclusion?

•Why does the writer believe the conclusion?

•This question points us to the reasons.

Note: The reasons in the example were made up for illustrative

purposes, and do not necessarily represent the truth.

Words / Phrases that Identify Reasons

Because / because of…

Since…

Due to…

The evidence suggests…

Studies have shown…

In view of…

As a result of…

Moreover…

Types of Reasons

Facts

Statistics

Research Findings

Comparisons (Analogies and Metaphors)

Real life examples (Case studies)

Expert opinions (quotations)

A Few Tips

The reasoning of an author / speaker may not

always be straightforward and well-organized.

Sometimes one or more reasons will support

other reasons.

A Few Tips

If you have the benefit of analyzing a written

opinion, circle indicator words.

Underline the issue, conclusion, and reasons –

highlighting them in different colors, if

possible.

Make a list of all the reasons you have found.

Ambiguity in Language

When the meaning of a word, phrase, or

sentence is unclear, we say that it is

“ambiguous”.

Interpreting the issue, conclusion, and

reasons is much more difficult when

ambiguous language is used.

The nature of language is that it is flexible. Words can

have different meanings in different contexts.

Sometimes a speaker / writer is ambiguous due to

being sloppy1 with language.

Other times, the ambiguity may be intentional.

In any case, we need to watch out for ambiguous

language, and discern the correct meaning before we

can decide if we agree with someone.

1sloppy = careless

Ambiguity: Identify Key Terms

Does TV violence negatively affect children?

What qualifies as “violence”?

Define “negatively affect”?

“Children” of what ages?

Ambiguity: Identify Key Terms

Which East – Asian countries have the most freedom?

Which countries are part of East – Asia?

China, Japan, Korea? Any others?

Define freedom.

Checking for Ambiguity

Ask yourself:

“What does that mean?”

“Could that word / phrase / sentence be interpreted

in more than one way?”

If the answer to the previous question is yes, ask:

“Does the statement still support the conclusion?”

Example

School dress codes put limits on inappropriate

clothing in order to ensure a focused learning

environment. Students can get quite distracted if a

classmate is wearing inappropriate clothing. Using a

dress code during school does not limit freedom of

expression. The dress code still allows students to

wear what they wish, as long as it is deemed to be

appropriate – unlike uniform dress codes.

Therefore, schools should have dress codes.

Issue:

Should schools have dress codes?

Conclusion:

Schools should have dress codes.

Reasons:

•Dress codes ensure a focused learning environment.

•Inappropriate clothing can distract students.

•Dress codes do not limit freedom of expression.

•Students can still wear what they wish.

Key Phrases:

•Dress codes

•Inappropriate clothing

•Freedom of expression

Some Final Tips

When preparing a speech or writing an essay,

make sure your reasons:

• are well-thought-out,

• use good supporting information,

• avoid ambiguous language,

• logically support the conclusion.

What is the main issue?

What is the conclusion?

What are the reasons?

What words or phrases are ambiguous?