Critical Thinking

Evaluating Information

  • Statement vs. Argument

    • Statement: Claim, assertion, or conclusion.

    • Argument: Reason (premise) for a conclusion.

  • Fact vs. Opinion

    • Fact: Factually correct and verifiable.

    • Opinion: Statement of belief, not necessarily factually correct.

  • Objective vs. Subjective Claim

    • Objective Claim: True/false independently of belief.

    • Subjective Claim: True/false depending on belief.

  • Absorption

    • Takes in large amounts of information.

    • Requires little critical thought.

    • No evaluation of data; risk of being inundated with useless information.

  • Sifting

    • Chooses which information to retain.

    • Enhances critical thinking.

    • More strenuous and task-intensive.

Intellectual Standards

  • Clarity: Gateway standard.

  • Accuracy: Validity of information.

  • Precision: Refines information.

  • Relevance: Evaluates what's most related to the issue.

  • Depth: Addresses complexities.

  • Breadth: Addresses various interpretations.

  • Logic: Thoughts are mutually supporting and make sense.

  • Significance: Identifies important information.

  • Fairness: Avoids personal interests and unjustified assumptions.

  • Missing Information: Considers source and counterarguments.



* Clarity & Accuracy: How clear and correct is the information?

* Precision & Relevance: How detailed and connected is it?

* Depth & Breadth: How thoroughly and widely have you explored it?

* Logic, Significance, & Fairness: Does it make sense, matter, and treat everyone equitably?


menemonics: Create a memorable acronym

"Cats Always Prefer Really, Delicious Bread, Leaving Some Forya ." (Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Depth, Breadth, Logic, , Fairness)


(Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic, Significance, Fairness)

(Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic, Significance, Fairness)

Cleo the Cat (🧼) – “Clarity is key!”
She’s washing a foggy window so everyone can see clearly.
“You can’t evaluate what you can’t see!”

Ace the Archer (🎯) – “Accuracy matters!”
He’s shooting a perfect bullseye.
“Always aim for the truth!”Panel 3:

Penny the Painter (🖌) – “Precision makes perfect!”
She’s adding fine detail to a masterpiece.
“Broad strokes are fine—but detail speaks volumes.”

Ravi the Researcher (📚) – “Relevance rules!”
He’s tossing out unrelated books.
“Only keep what connects!”

Bree the Balloonist (🎈) – “Breadth expands minds!”
She’s floating high over a landscape of ideas.
“See the big picture—explore all angles!”

Leo the Logician (🔗) – “Logic links it all!”
He’s connecting puzzle pieces into a perfect fit.
“If it clicks, it sticks!”Panel 8:

Sage the Spotlight (🔦) – “Significance shines through!”
She’s lighting up the most important clue in a mystery.
“Focus on what really matters!”Panel 9:

Finn the Fair Judge (⚖) – “Fairness for all!”
He’s balancing arguments with equal weight.
“No bias. No shortcuts. Just justice.”