Critical thinking terms

20 Critical Thinking Terms with Meanings and Examples

1. Argument: A set of statements intended to persuade someone of something.

• Example: The lawyer presented a strong argument in favor of the defendant.

2. Premise: A statement that serves as a foundation for an argument.

• Example: The premise of the argument is that all humans are equal.

3. Conclusion: The main point or claim that an argument is trying to prove.

• Example: The conclusion of the essay was that climate change is a serious threat.

4. Evidence: Facts or information used to support a claim.

• Example: The scientist cited evidence from multiple studies to support their theory.

5. Reasoning: The process of drawing conclusions from evidence.

• Example: The detective used deductive reasoning to solve the case.

6. Assumptions: Beliefs or ideas that are taken for granted.

• Example: The argument made an assumption that everyone has access to quality education.

7. Bias: A systematic error in judgment or measurement.

• Example: The journalist’s bias towards the political party influenced their reporting.

8. Stereotype: A generalized belief about a group of people.

• Example: The stereotype that all lawyers are greedy is inaccurate.

9. Fallacy: A flaw in reasoning that undermines an argument.

• Example: The ad hoc fallacy is a common logical fallacy.

10. Evaluation: The process of judging the quality or worth of something.

• Example: The professor evaluated the students’ essays based on their clarity and organization.

11. Analysis: The detailed examination of something to understand its nature.

• Example: The student conducted a thorough analysis of the poem.

12. Synthesis: The combining of ideas or elements to form a new whole.

• Example: The essay synthesized different theories to explain the phenomenon.

13. Perspective: A particular viewpoint or way of thinking.

• Example: The article presented different perspectives on the issue of immigration.

14. Context: The circumstances in which something happens.

• Example: It is important to consider the historical context when interpreting the text.

15. Relevance: The quality of being important or connected to the matter at hand.

• Example: The evidence presented in the trial was highly relevant to the case.

16. Clarity: The quality of being easy to understand.

• Example: The essay was well-written and clear to follow.

17. Precision: The quality of being exact or accurate.

• Example: The scientist measured the temperature with great precision.

18. Depth: The quality of being thorough or detailed.

• Example: The analysis of the poem was insightful and showed a deep understanding of the text.

19. Breadth: The quality of covering a wide range of topics or subjects.

• Example: The course provided a broad overview of the history of philosophy.

20. Significance: The quality of being important or meaningful.

• Example: The discovery of the Higgs boson was a significant breakthrough in physics.