Critical thinking in literature teaching

In fact, judging by the research, it has been a buzzword for over a decade. The problem with buzz words is that, over time, they lose a lot of their original meaning and begin to stand for almost anything new or progressive. Why does hearing the cry above make people cringe? One reason is because these terms are overused.

When examining the vast literature on critical thinking, various definitions of critical thinking emerge. Here are some samples: To recognize its strengths and weaknesses and, as a result, 2.

To recast the thinking in improved form" Center for Critical Thinking, c. Perhaps the simplest definition is offered by Beyer Basically, Beyer sees critical thinking as using criteria to judge the quality of something, from cooking to a conclusion of a research paper.

In essence, critical thinking is a disciplined manner of thought that a person uses to assess the validity of something statements, news stories, arguments, research, etc.

Characteristics of Critical Thinking Wade identifies eight characteristics of critical thinking. Critical thinking involves asking questions, defining a problem, examining evidence, analyzing assumptions and biases, avoiding emotional reasoning, avoiding oversimplification, considering other interpretations, and tolerating ambiguity.

Another characteristic of critical thinking identified by many sources is metacognition. Metacognition is thinking about one's own thinking. In the book, Critical Thinking, Beyer elaborately explains what he sees as essential aspects of critical thinking.

Critical thinkers are skeptical, open-minded, value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason leads them to do so.

To think critically, must apply criteria. Need to have conditions that must be met for something to be judged as believable. Although the argument can be made that each subject area has different criteria, some standards apply to all subjects.

Is a statement or proposition with supporting evidence. Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments.

The ability to infer a conclusion from one or multiple premises. To do so requires examining logical relationships among statements or data. The way one views the world, which shapes one's construction of meaning.

In a search for understanding, critical thinkers view phenomena from many different points of view. Procedures for Applying Criteria: Other types of thinking use a general procedure. Critical thinking makes use of many procedures.

These procedures include asking questions, making judgments, and identifying assumptions. Why Teach Critical Thinking?

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Through technology, the amount of information available today is massive. This information explosion is likely to continue in the future. Students need a guide to weed through the information and not just passively accept it.

As mentioned in the section, Characteristics of Critical Thinkingcritical thinking involves questioning. It is important to teach students how to ask good questions, to think critically, in order to continue the advancement of the very fields we are teaching.

Beyer sees the teaching of critical thinking as important to the very state of our nation.Introduction. Literature is an effective tool for engaging students in critical thinking.

By teaching children to analyse and evaluate literary texts appropriate to their age and interests, we can help them develop critical thinking skills. Jun 12,  · How to Teach Critical Thinking.

In this Article: Article Summary Encouraging Students to Have an Open Mind Helping Students Make Connections Teaching Students About Reliable Information Community Q&A If you want to teach your students critical thinking, give them opportunities to brainstorm and analyze things%(7).

critical thinking as one of several learning and innovation skills necessary to prepare students for post-secondary education and the workforce.

Characteristics of a Critical Thinker

In addition, the newly created Common Core State Standards reflect critical thinking as a cross-disciplinary skill vital for college and employment. Relevance of the English Literature Subject in the Teaching and Learning of Creative and Critical Thinking Skills In answering a question on whether the Bloom’s Taxonomy is relevant to be the bases of learning creative and.

Erma Agus Setiyaningsih /D Teaching Literature: Enhancing Students’ Critical Thinking through Literature Critical thinking ability can be used for almost all aspect of life, it is include the use of critical thinking in education where students should be able to make correct judgment on something in learning context and also individuals’ daily life where they need to make short kind of choice for .

Below are some different ways that we can use critical thinking in interpreting literature. Keep these in mind when you read and re-read the texts, and when you writer your papers.

Two passages that seem to conflict in their ideas and values.