The key components to critical thinking are description, analysis and evaluation. These components may be better understood in terms of the common questioning words.
(This model is based on this resource, available from the Learn Higher site).
Description: define clearly what you are talking about
Analysis:
- examine and explain how parts fit into a whole
- give reasons
- compare and contrast different elements
- show your understanding of relationships
Evaluation: Apply your judgement:
- weigh up the value
- think about the implications
See if you can distinguish between critical/analytical statements and descriptive statements.
| Descriptive or Analytical/Evaluative? | ||
| 1 | States what happened | |
| Identifies the significance | ||
| 2 | Judges strengths and weaknesses | |
| States what something is like | ||
| 3 | Weighs one piece of information against another | |
| Gives the story so far | ||
| 4 | States the order in which things happened | |
| Makes reasoned judgments | ||
| 5 | Explains what a theory says | |
| Shows why something is relevant or suitable | ||
| 6 | Indicates why something will work (best) | |
| Explains how something works | ||
| 7 | Notes the method used | |
| Indicates whether something is appropriate or suitable | ||
| 8 | Says when something occurred | |
| Identifies why the timing is important | ||
| 9 | Weighs up the importance of component parts | |
| States the different components | ||
| 10 | Gives reasons for selecting each option | |
| States options | ||
| 11 | Argues the relative significance of details | |
| Lists details | ||
| 12 | Lists in any order | |
| Structures information in an order that builds an argument | ||
GSA Learning Support 