Questions Using the Elements of Thought

(in a paper, an activity, a reading assignment...)

Purpose: What am I* trying to accomplish?

What is my central aim? My purpose?

Questions: What question am I raising?

What question am I addressing?

Am I considering the complexities in the question?

Information: What information am I using in coming to that conclusion?

What experience have I had to support this claim?

What information do I need to settle the question?

Inferences/ How did I reach this conclusion?

Conclusions: Is there another way to interpret the information?

Concepts: What is the main idea here?

Can I explain this idea?

Assumptions: What am I taking for granted?

What assumption has led me to that conclusion?

Implications/ If someone accepted my position, what would be the

Consequences implications?

What am I implying?

Points of View: From what point of view am I looking at this issue?

Is there another point of view I should consider?

From Richard Paul and Linda Elder,

The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, p. 8

© 2006 Foundation for Critical Thinking - www.criticalthinking.org

* These questions are equally useful in trying to understand a lecture or an article by somebody else. Just substitute “the speaker” or “the author” for “I” (and adjust the verbs accordingly).—JG