Journal

This will be my last blog entry for the semester for the class. The semester went flying by. I can't believe we're already finished. It was fun and informative and I had a good time all around. I was hesitant about school after so many years off but I think I've gotten in a groove and hopefully I stay in it for the rest of my time here at Lincloln. I hope you have a fun and safe trip Professor and I'll see you next fall.

What is Critical Thinking and are you a critical thinker?

I think critical thinking is an elevated from of thinking. It is the ability to look at information, either written or spoken, and be able to dissect it and see if it is sound in reasoning and presentation. It is the ability to think for yourself and not be told what to think. It is independent thinking without fear of being ostracized. It is being able to evaluate something without being biased or trying not be and not letting your emotions affect your thinking. I hope that I am a critical thinker. I like to think that I am. Atleast I know after this class I will definitly be a better critical thinker then I was when I started it.

CRCB Ch. 14 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 14 Evaluating Internet Resources

Chapter fourteen is about evaluating information that is taken off of the web or the internet. The internet has become such a big part of our lives and there such vast amounts of information on it that one must know if it is credible or not. We must use our critical thinking skills every time we surf the internet. This chapter provides us a with a 7-step source evaluation system to help us. Step one is to know your purpose. Before you begin searching the internet, you need to be clear to yourself of exactly why you need the information and for what purpose. Step two is to double check your facts and sources. Step three is to consider the source for reliability and credibility. A credible site will tell you the author’s contact information and more importantly his or her credentials. Step four is to evaluate the look and content of a web-site. Ask yourself what the purpose of the site is. Is it to present information or is it to persuade. The next step is to consider the intended audience. See if the information on the web-site is too elementary or maybe too technical or even too advanced. This can help you determine the intended audience and you may decide it is not for you. The sixth step is to evaluate the writing itself. If you notice bad grammar or many mistakes then you may reconsider the credibility of the source. The seventh and final step is to compare the content with what you already know. By following these steps, we all can evaluate a websites overall reliability and credibility

TFY Ch. 9 Mind Map

TFY Ch. 9 Summary- Arguments

Chapter nine is about arguments and what makes a sound one. An argument is a statements or statements with a conclusion and reasons for the conclusion. If one ever reads arguments, and we all do, there are steps to critically reading it. You must read it objectively or hear it objectively and afterwards ask five questions to help you assess the argument. The first question is what viewpoint is the source of the argument. We previously learned that viewpoints can shape the contents of arguments so it is crucial to know the viewpoint of any argument. The second question to ask is what is the issue of controversy or issue at question. The third question is whether the argument is truly an argument or a report. There are distinct differences between the two. A purpose of a report is to offer information and not to advocate an opinion. If there are multiple sides to the report, the author should present all sides. Arguments, however, do advocate an opinion and not supposed to be neutral. The fourth question to ask yourself when trying to assess an argument is to ask yourself how is the argument structured in terms of reasons and conclusions. The chapter has a easy and quick method to do this. You must disassemble it by first identifying the conclusions and separating that statement from the reasons offered to support it. The conclusion in any argument is the last step of the reasoning but it may be stated at the end or anywhere really in the argument. The last question is what are the strengths and weaknesses of the argument. By following these steps, a student can better be prepared when coming across arguments or persuasive pieces in life. One must be a good critical thinker to know when an argument is faulty and contains unsound reasoning.

CRCB Ch. 11 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 11 Reading, Understand and Creating Visual Aids

Ch. 11 is about the importance of visual aids in textbooks or in any reading. Visual aids can help a person better understand what they are learning. They show you how ideas can connect to each other in a quick and easy way. They are learning aids that enhance learning and comprehension. When previewing a text, it is helpful to preview the visual material in it as well. There are six steps when previewing visuals. The first step is to read the title and explanation. Then next step is to check the source of the material. The third step is to look for clues of the purpose of the visual in the headings and labels used. The fourth step is to circle key words and phrases associated with the visual. The next step is to ask yourself what the purpose of the visual is and what information is being presented. The final step is to highlight the main ideas and points to review for an exam. Now there are many different type of visual aids that you will come across as a student and they are used for different purposes. A popular visual aid is charts and tables. These are used a lot in history, economics and psychology. Charts and tables present a large amount of information in a format that makes it easy to decipher. Another visual aid is diagrams. These are drawings that show relation between items. Illustrations are drawings that are detailed and allow you to see parts of a bigger item. Illustrations are used a lot in science and biology books. Graphs are used often as well and the purpose of graphs is to hold very large amounts of information and show differences over time. When studying, it may be helpful to create your own visual aids for study purposes. I never created my own visual aids until this class because we had to make mind maps. I had never even heard of them or encountered them before so I wasn’t sold on them. But surprisingly, they really do work. When I make a mind map, all of the information on it I can recall very easily later and they work very well for studying before tests.

Journal

It is Monday and I've had a long day. I'm just doing my homework for critical thinking and its going pretty slow, slower then usual but hey atleast its going. I should be done soon. The sememster is almost over, and I can't be happier. I need a break. But for my first semester back in school, I think Im doing alright.

TFY Ch. 11 Mind Map

TFY Ch. 11 Inductive Reasoning

Ch. 11 is about the process of inductive reasoning. The word induction comes from the Latin inducere, which means to lead in. Inductive reasoning is to reason to a conclusion about all members of a class on the basis of an examination of a few members of a class. It is going from the specific to the general. Inductive reasoning is essential in the sciences, and it is analogous to the scientific method. One must observe, gather data and information, then come to meanings or conclusions. Some of the methods that have been used in inductive reasoning are sensory observation, enumeration, analogical reasoning, pattern recognition, and statistical reasoning. Sensory observation is observing with the use of your senses. This includes sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing. Simply observing and recording your observations can lead to correct inferences and have in the scientific world led to scientific breakthroughs. Reasoning from enumeration can just be a simple counting of parts to come to a conclusion about the whole. You use extrapolation to come to that conclusion. Extrapolation is a probability estimate or projection. Analogical reasoning is coming to conclusions based on making comparisons or analogies between two seemingly different things. Analogical reasoning is crucial in the legal system in the United States, where legal precedents can affect the decision of a case. Patterns are also important in inductive reasoning. If patterns are recognized, then this can help in drawing conclusions about the nature of them and why they might be important. Statistical reasoning is using enumeration to predict on the basis of an estimate of probabilities. This method is used when it is impossible to examine all of the available data. There are five basic rules about the reliability of the conclusions that come from statistical sampling.
1. The greater the size of the sample, the more representative the sample will be of the whole.
2. The more representative the sample is, the more likely it is that accurate conclusions will be drawn about the whole.
3. One counterexample can refute a generalization.
4. If statistical evidence is offered, it should be offered in sufficient detail to permit verification.
5. When polls are taken, it is important to know whether a reputable organization took the poll and the exact formulation, or wording of the question.
Inductive reasoning is vital for us in academia and normal, everyday life. We use inductive reasoning when we don’t know something or are confused to figure out what it is.

TFY Ch. 10 Mind Map

TFY Ch. 10 Summary - Fallacies

TFY Ch. 10
Fallacies

Ch. 10 is about the different kinds of fallacies and how to recognize them. The chapter defines a fallacy as a statement or argument that presents itself as soundly reasoned when it is not. If we want to be better critical thinkers, we have to realize when someone’s argument contains fallacies and make sure not to use them ourselves. This chapter specifically discusses twelve fallacies. These twelve are divided in three categories. The following is the list of the twelve fallacies.
Manipulation through Language
1. Word ambiguity - the use of vague or undefined words for an advantage
2. Misleading euphemisms - hidden meaning due to word play that makes it seem positive or unrecognizable.
3. Prejudicial language - use of loaded words that convey bias
Manipulation through Emotion
4. Appeal to fear - persuade by instilling fear
5. Appeal to pity - persuade by causing pity
6. Appeal to false authority - citing fake or inappropriate authority
7. Appeal to bandwagon - persuade by appealing to popular momentum
8. Appeal to prejudice - attacking a person and not his argument and poisoning the well which is seeking to prejudice others against a person.
Manipulation through Distraction
9. Red herring - diverting attention to other issues
10. Pointing to another wrong - highlighting another wrong and saying how that went unnoticed or unpunished.
11. Straw man - misrepresents opponent, then refutes this false misrepresentation. Also focuses in on a minor point and says this invalidates the entire argument.
12. Circular reasoning - this is when someone makes a conclusion or point without evidence and just keeps repeating it in different words but without any reasoning to it.
The chapter states that there are eight more fallacies but those will be discussed in a later chapter. After reading all of these fallacies, I came to realize how often people use fallacies and how widespread it is. I’m sure that I sometimes probably have used them without even realizing it. I’ll try to make a conscious effort from now on not to use them. If you are confident in your view or opinion, you should not need manipulative and deceitful tactics to get your message across.

CRCB Ch. 8 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 8 Summary - Textbook Methods of Organization

CRCB Ch. 8
Textbook Methods of Organization


This chapter is about the methods of organization in textbooks and how to recognize them and the advantages of that. Authors use different organization methods depending on what they want the reader to take from the book and depending on the subject matter. You can use organization word clues (owc) to help you recognize the different methods. There are six different classical organization methods. The first is Listing. The list is organized alphabetically, numerically, or by order of importance. Some of the organizational word clues for this method are the phrases “first of all”, “secondly” and “finally”. The next method is Analysis. In this pattern, the author breaks down the concept into different parts to show characteristics or properties. Some of the OWCs’ for this are: types, characteristics, aspects and properties. The next organizational method is the cause/effect method. This shows why something happened or the effects of it. OWCs for this method are: since, therefore, results, because, impacts, effects and then. The fourth method is the comparison/contrast method. This goes over the differences or similarities between two or more things. OWCs for this method are: compared with, similar to, as, but, like, although and however. The fifth method is the definition/example style. Authors use this to clarify meanings by using analogies and clear examples. Some OWCs for this are: defined as, another meaning, synonymous with and also referred to as. The final method the chapter discusses is the sequence method. This is showing the steps in a specific process or the order of events in their chronological sequence. Knowing how to recognize an authors method will help with a readers understanding of the text and help with remembering the information more efficiently. Authors may use a different method for each chapter in a book so you must be proficient in recognizing all six of them. I think this can help me in the future when I read textbooks in other classes. By knowing and recognizing an authors organization method, I can better predict what type of questions I should prepare for on tests and quizzes.

TFY Ch. 8 Mind Map

TFY Ch. 8 Summary - Viewpoints

This chapter is about differing viewpoints and importance of being able to see from someone else’s viewpoint. Viewpoint is defined as one’s perspective, or attitude and the circumstances that create such an attitude. There are many different type of viewpoints. Some of them are political, national, ethnic, religious, occupational, and socioeconomic just to name a few. Some viewpoints may be unconscious. Some examples of this are egocentrism, ethnocentrism and religiocentrism. In the world we live in today, it is important to recognize viewpoints, especially political viewpoints. There is a left to right political spectrum that one should be aware of. Left means liberal and right means conservative. Viewpoints can be hidden in newspapers by how the editor frames the information. This is appropriately called News Framing. It is how the editor uses layout, placement, and headlines to sensationalize, exaggerate, downplay or convey importance. This, as the chapter states, can have a hidden influence on the reader. The chapter also touches on the importance of getting ones news from a variety of sources and not just from corporate U.S media. I personally would like to stress this point. I watch a lot of news and read a lot and I find that there truly is not a wide range of opinions and viewpoints that are reflected, especially when it comes to global issues and many domestic issues as well. My personal opinion is that the corporate news media’s actual goal is to keep you as uninformed as possible without making you realize that. I find the internet a good way to get around this and foreign media as well. People should not be blind to the fact that other people’s viewpoints exist for a reason. You should be able to step out of your own viewpoint and step into another by understanding the circumstances that lead to that perspective. Not being able to do so allows people and nations to be oblivious to the rest of the world. That kind of narrow thinking is the seed that eventually leads to totalitarian states who’s masses believe they are always right and others are always wrong.

CRCB Ch. 4 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 4 Summary - Managing your Reading Time

Chapter four is about managing how we read and how to become an efficient reader. Efficient reading is defined as being able to read and comprehend textbook material in an appropriate amount of time for you. Knowing reading averages is helpful when figuring if your own reading rate is up to par or not by comparing it to your actual reading average rate. To get your reading rates, you must track your reading, preferably for two weeks. You must track the number of pages read for each hour. By knowing these, you can become a more efficient reader. There are some different kinds of reading and these all can help you become an efficient reader. Speed reading is basically just that. Reading fast by visually grouping words and reading in chunks. The goal of speed reading isn’t for better comprehension but just to get the reading done as fast as possible. Critical reading is kind of the opposite of Speed reading. In Critical Reading, one must read slower to give yourself time to think about what you just read and fully understand it. Skimming is reading only some of the words on the page to get an idea of what in general is being discussed. Rereading is to reread a sentence to better understand it. Regressing is to reread an entire paragraph or page to better understand it. To become a better reader, one should develop a daily reading plan. This is a prioritized list of what you need to read on any day for your classes. You should do the harder subjects first and end with the easier ones. When I read, I find that regressing helps. If I do not understand what I read, I like to reread the entire page again and I find that that can be really helpful.

TFY Ch. 7 Mind Map

TFY Ch. 7 Summary - Evaluations

This chapter is about evaluations and how people come to them and what purpose they serve. The word evaluate comes from the Latin “ex”, from, and “valere”, to be strong, to be of value. So evaluate means to appraise the value of something. To determine it’s worth. People are evaluating all of the time, even when they don’t realize they are. A good example from the chapter was if a person grabs you and throws you down, your snap judgement would be that that person is trying to rob you. But a few seconds later you realize he just saved you from being hit by a car. Then of course you realize that person isn’t a hoodlum. This is an example of a premature evaluation and we do it all of the time. Something else to realize is that evaluations are not facts. They are another variety of an opinion. We must also realize that expectations and emotions affect our evaluations. Skilled evaluations are evaluations made by an expert in a field and they can be important and sought after. A doctor may give an evaluation on someone’s injury at a trial. A person may get an evaluation from an attorney regarding a legal matter. People must evaluate for themselves and not let someone else or something else do their thinking for them. That is what propaganda does. Propaganda is the manipulation of public opinion through use of images, slogans and symbols for the benefit of the propagator, which a lot of times is the individuals in power. To be an effective critical thinker, you must recognize propaganda when you see it and always think for yourself.

CRCB Ch. 9 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 9 Summary (PSR)

Chapter nine is about PSR- Preview, study-read, and review strategies to better understand our readings. There are three parts to the strategy. The first part is called preview. The main purpose is to develop a framework for the reading. There are three steps in the preview part. Step one is to skim the reading. Focus on the introduction of the chapter, section headings and the summary. Step two is to develop initial questions you may have during the skimming. Step three in the preview section is to try and predict what else the chapter is about. The second part is PSR is the S which stands for study-read. This part has four steps. The first step is to read and ask questions and look for the answers to those questions. The second step is to make sure you understand what you’re reading. The third step is to monitor your reading. This means to see what things you don’t understand and what questions still remain unanswered. Step four is to determine the main ideas of each section of your reading. The third part of the PSR is the Review stage. This part has two steps. The first step is to assess your understanding of what you read. You do this by summarizing what you read. The second step is to clarify any confusing areas that you may still have. You do this by asking your teachers, other students and any other resources available to you. This chapter was very helpful to me because it gave me a way to study that I had never known of before. I tried the strategy for my other classes and it definitely helped me.

CRCB Ch. 10 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 10 Summary Textbook Marking

Chapter ten was about textbook marking and the advantages of it. Textbook marking is a systematic way of marking, highlighting and labeling ideas and nwords to show how they are related and which ones are the most important. One must highlight or mark words, phrases or sentences, write notes in the margins to let you know why you marked what you did. The three basic elements to mark are the main idea, important details and vocabulary. You should follow four steps when textbook marking. First step is to preview. You should skim the reading and get familiar with all of the vocabulary. Develop initial questions. The second step is to study-read. This is to fully read the chapter, not just skim it. The third step is to do the actual marking. The fourth step is to write margin cues, notes or symbols, to indicate what you marked and why. Marking more depends on the professor’s lecture and unclear sections of the text. Personalizing it with your own symbols and abbreviations will help you. This chapter was helpful to me because it broke down the process into easy steps to follow.

TFY Chapter 5 Mind Map

TFY Chapter 5 Summary

Assumptions

This chapter taught us about assumptions and how they relate in critical thinking. The word assume comes from the latin assumere, which means to take up. So when a person assumes, he is accepting, taking for granted an idea without sufficient proof of its certainty. There are different types of assumptions. Unconscious assumptions are assumptions that were recognized as assumptions only after circumstances reveled their errors. Conscious assumptions or working assumptions are theories designed for a strategy. People use working assumptions all the time. They help plan our lives. Hidden assumptions are assumptions that are not explicitly said or written but are there. They usually are based off of stereotypes. Value assumptions are beliefs we take for granted and never or rarely question. The chapter also talks about incongruities, which is something that does not meet or expectations or assumptions. This leads us to think, learn and grow. This is a process I would like to improve in myself. I want to be able to challenge my assumptions, when they need to be, to be a better thinker.

CRCB Ch. 7 Mind Map

CRCB Ch. 7 Summary (Inferences)

CRCB Ch. 7 Summary
Inferences

Chapter seven in our CRCB text was about inferences and using them to identify implied main ideas. This text states that an inference is the process of making assumptions, and drawing conclusions about information when an author’s opinions or ideas are not directly stated. You have to “pull” the meaning from your readings. There are five strategies for effectively inferring meaning from writings when it is not directly stated. The first strategy is to understand an author’s purpose for writing the piece. The second strategy is to note comparisons and implied similarities. If an author makes a comparison to show something then you have to infer what the similarity is to understand the point of the author. The third strategy is to understand the author’s use of tone. Tone can be extremely helpful in trying to understand an author’s main idea, specially if it is implied. The fourth strategy is to detect an author’s bias. This can help us make informed decisions about what the author is saying. The last strategy is to recognize information gaps. These can be intentional or not. Also, authors may have implied main ideas for paragraphs or sections or chapters. When main ideas are implied, we have to use inferences and strategies to see them. We have to 1) Read carefully. 2) identify the topic of the reading material. 3) ask ourselves what important point the author makes about the topic. 4) Combine the topic with the new information.

TFY Chapter 4 Mind Map ( Inferences )

TFY Chapter 4 Summary

Naweed Bahaduri
Eng 75

TFY: Chapter 4 Summary
Inferences

This chapter was about inferences and how we use them everyday and might not even realize it. This chapter’s goal was to make us more conscious about our inferences. We should state the obvious as much as possible for this will help us in distinguishing facts from inferences. Careful observation will help in this. When you give specific detailed support for your conclusions then it makes for interesting writing. We can also use inferences to solve problems. When we assess all of the facts and connect all of the dots correctly, it can lead to more information or to confirm something else. Generalizations are laws that are based on observations that deal with recurrence, order, and relationships. One can only make generalizations after careful observation and looking for patterns and relationships.

Thinking For Yourself Chapter 2 Mind Map

Thinking For Yourself Chapter 2 Exercises

Thinking For Yourself
Chapter 2 Exercises

Exercise 1
P. 46
Rate each of the following statements as true or false.
1. Dictionaries are like phone books; basically, they all offer the same information.
False

2. If a dictionary is names Webster’s, that means it is one of the best.
True

3. Experts who decide how we should speak English write dictionaries.
False

4. Small, pocket dictionaries are the best kind to use for in-depth word study because they eliminate unnecessary, confusing information and make understanding easier.
False

5. Because a dictionary can confuse us with so many definitions for any single word, it is better to try to figure out a word’s meaning from it’s context or ask someone else.
False

6. Dictionaries are like cookbooks; a family needs to buy only one for the family’s lifetime.
False

7. Dictionaries give us information about spelling and definitions, but that is about all they offer.
False

8. An online dictionary is just as good for understanding and using a new word as a printed dictionary.
True


Exercise 2
P. 51
Set up a piece of paper with three columns headed Term, class and characteristics. Look up each of the words, list the class and characteristics.

1. Scissors
Class: a cutting tool
Characteristics: Has two blades, each with a loop handle, joined by a swivel pin.

2. Mailbag
Class: Bag
Characteristics: Usually is large with a shoulder strap

3. Moppet
Class: People
Characteristics: a small or little girl

4. November
Class: Month
Characteristics: the eleventh month of the year

5. Pneumonia
Class: Disease
Characteristics: disease of the lungs, inflammation of lungs

6. Cat
Class: Mammal
Characteristics: Four legged mammal in Feline family.

Thinking For Yourself Chapter 2 Summary

Thinking For Yourself
Chapter 2 Summary

This chapter was titled “Word Precision: How do I Describe It”. The chapter sums up how important vocabulary is to communication and expressing our experiences. Our words are our thoughts so if our words aren’t clear then our thoughts aren’t clear. Dictionaries are a very important tool for this. It suggests every time you come across a word you do not know, you should look it up. “Clear thinking depends on clear word definitions” is a quote from the chapter that I highly agree with it. The chapter goes on to tell us the different kind of definitions of words. There is taxonomy, dictionary definitions, scientific definitions, and stipulative definitions. The chapter also touches on the Connotation of words which is the associations those words have. Knowing the etymology of a word can also help in giving us a concrete understanding of its definition. The chapter also states that critical reading begins with a resolve to aim for a neutral and accurate comprehension of the material.

Critical Reading for College and Beyond, Chapter 2 Mind Map

Journal Entry 1

My books recently came in so I just started reading. I'll start my assignments for the current week and go back later on when I have some extra time. Chapter 2 in Critical Reading for College and Beyond was about the importance of Vocabulary and how vital it is for our education and professional futures. I would personally like to expand my vocabulary because I find myself often not knowing how to express my thoughts through words. I know how I feel and what I'm thinking but it is hard to put it into sentences. Hopefully I'll be able to learn new words and rememer them.

Where do you Stand Mind Map

CRCB Chapter 2 Exercises

Exercise 2a
Using Context clues to figure out meaning
1. The child was able to assuage his irate father with a smile and a small kiss on his cheek. A grin slowly replaced the fathers angry frown.
a. Increase b. Soothe c. Losed. d. Handle Answer: B

2. She was so overcome with joy by the birth of her baby that she was able to say nothing other than that the whole experience was simply ineffable.
a. Unhappy b. Fair c. Incapable of being expressed in words d. Quickly forgotten Answer: C

3. Most of us eventually reach our goals, but life’s path to success is often a circuitous one.
a. Straight and certain b. Jovial c. Marked by roundabout or indirect procedures d. Relating to a group Answer: C

4. The preacher took a pedagogic approach with his sermon, hoping that those attending would learn something meaningful from it.
a. Instructional b. Incomplete c. Something that breaks the ice d. To brighten or freshen up Answer: D

5. Although teaching is not a lucrative profession, I know that I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Helping others learn is far more important to me than money.
a. Very rewarding b. Highly Sensitive c. Well Paying d. Highly exciting Answer: C

6. Buying a lottery ticket is a very capricious way to plan for your future. The chances of winning are 1 in 10,000,000.
a. Lazy b. Inventive c. Unhappy d. Unpredictable Answer: D

Exercise 2d
1. Equal
Root is Equ Definition: The same quantity , value or rank
2. Circumscribe
Root is scribe Definition: Encircle, confine.
3. Predict
Root is dict Definition: tell about in advance.
4. Untenable
Root is ten Defintion: Incapable of being defended as an argument or thesis.
5. Current
Root is cur Definition: Belonging to the time actually passing.prevalent or customary.
6. Extend
Root is ten Definition: to stretch out, to draw out to full length.
7. Extensible
Root is ten Definition: Capable of being extended.
8. Scribble
Root is Scribe Definition: to write hastily or carelessly
9. Retentive
Root is ten Definition: Having power or ability to retain or remember
10. Remit
Root is mit Definion: to transmit or send

Exercise 2i
Identify the root in each of the following words.
1. Harmlessly – harm
2. Controversially – controversial
3. Commercialization – commercial
4. Talkatively – talk
5. Mindlessness – mind
6. Simplistically – simple
7. Neighborliness – neighbor
8. Wakefullness – wake
9. Peacefully – peace
10. Sinfulness – sin

Exercise 2j
Define the following words
1. Maltreat: to treat badly, to abuse
2. Autonomous: self governing, independent
3. Emit: to send forth, to give forth
4. Fidelity: strict observence of promises or duties
5. Convey: to communicate , make known, to carry bring or take
6. Equivocal: of doubtful nature or character,questionable, dubious
7. Posthumous;arising, occuring or continuing after one’s death
8. Carnal: pertaining to or characterized by the flesh of the body
9. Misognyist: hatred, dislike or mistrust of women
10. Synchronized: to cause to go at same rate or time

CRCB Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter two is titled “Developing your College Vocabulary” and it is about the importance of vocabulary in the college experience. It explains how vocabulary is extermely vital to one’s education. The more words a person understands, the more understanding they will have of what they read in textbooks. And ofcourse we all know how important comprehension of textbooks are in college especially. Increasing one’s vocabulary opens so many more doors to a person and avenues of research and the ability to succeed academically. This chapter provided a few strategies of learning new vocabulary to strategies to remember them successfully. Ofcourse the best way to learn a new word is to look it up in the dictionary when you across it and one should do that if not immediately, as soon as they get the chance. One other way is to use context clues around the word in question to figure out its meaning. Context clues can be definitely helpful but theymay be not as definitive as ofcourse a dictionary. Prefixes in front of a word change its meaning as suffixes at the end of words can change its tense or make it a noun. The chapter also explains what denotation and connotation are. Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word while connotation is the dictionary definition plus any ideas associated with it by society. Remembering new words can be done by making word maps and using the card review system. Also using new words in your everyday vocabulary will make them a regular staple of your speech.

Where Do you Stand?

Where Do You Stand?
Where do you stand with regard to critical thinking?
I like to think that I myself am a critical thinker. I think it is a good quality to have, if done rightly. I try to look at every situation with all views and come to a conclusion about it.
FEET: What do I stand for as a foundation of critical thinking?
I believe the foundation of critical thinking is independent thought. One should know how to think about something without being told what to think about it. I believe that is the core of it. STOMACH: What upsets me about critical thinking? I don’t think anything really upsets me about critical thinking. Not anything that I can think of right now anyway. I guess people may overdue their critical thinking sometimes by being a little to critical. HEART: What do I love about critical thinking?
I love the freedom of it. I love the fact that I can come to my own conclusion based on facts and truths and not assumptions and falsehoods.
HANDS: What do I feel about critical thinking?
I feel critical thinking is something everyone should do. It is a good brain tool to have when looking at issues or anything really.
EARS: What do I hear about critical thinking?
I do not hear much about it. I hope in taking this class I’ll get to know more about it and hear a lot more about it.
EYES: What do I see about critical thinking?
I see it done everyday all around me. It comes naturally to some and maybe to others they found through experience it is a helpful instrument for their brains.
BRAIN: What do I think about critical thinking?
I think critical thinking is an all around good quality to have. But it should be done right and when facts arise that challenge your beliefs, you should be able to adjust those beliefs to fit the new facts.