Critical Thinking Skills For Dummies

Learn how to argue points effectively, analyze information, and make sound judgments

The ability to think clearly and critically is a lifelong benefit that you can apply in any situation that calls for reflection, analysis, and planning. Being able to think systematically and solve problems is also a great career asset. Critical Thinking Skills For Dummies helps you hone your thinking abilities and become a better communicator. You’ll find hands-on, active instruction and exercises that you can put to work today as you navigate social media and news websites, chat with AI, fact-check your own and others’ views, and more. Become a thinking machine, with this Dummies guide.

• Identify other people’s arguments and conclusions—and spot holes in them
• Evaluate evidence and produce more effective arguments in any situation
• Read between the lines of what people say and form your own judgments
• Apply critical thinking to school or college assignments to improve your academic performance

This is the perfect Dummies title for students, researchers, and everyone who seeks to improve their reasoning and analysis ability.

Part 1: Getting Started with Critical Thinking Skills 7

CHAPTER 1: Entering the Exciting World of Critical Thinking 9

CHAPTER 2: Peering into the Mind: How People Think 23

CHAPTER 3: Planting Ideas in Your Head: The Sociology of Thinking 43

CHAPTER 4: Assessing Your Thinking Skills 69

Part 2: Developing Your Critical Thinking Skills 97

CHAPTER 5: Critical Thinking Is Like . . . Solving Puzzles: Reasoning by Analogy 99

CHAPTER 6: Thinking in Circles: The Power of Recursion 119

CHAPTER 7: Drawing on Graphics for Thinking 139

CHAPTER 8: Constructing Knowledge: Information Hierarchies 163

Part 3: Applying Critical Thinking in Practice 181

CHAPTER 9: Getting to the Heart of the (Reading) Matter 183

CHAPTER 10: Cultivating Your Critical Writing Skills 205

CHAPTER 11: Speaking and Listening Critically 225

Part 4: Reason and Argument 243

CHAPTER 12: Unlocking the Logic of Real Arguments 245

CHAPTER 13: Behaving Like a Rational Animal 265

CHAPTER 14: Using Words to Persuade 281

CHAPTER 15: Presenting Evidence and Justifying Opinions 299

Part 5: Part of Tens 323

CHAPTER 16: Ten Logical Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them 325

CHAPTER 17: Ten Arguments that Changed the World 333

Index 345

Martin Cohen is a journalist, editor, and author specializing in popular books in philosophy, social science, and politics. His books include the UK edition of Philosophy For Dummies and 101 Philosophy Problems. Martin has taught philosophy and social science at universities in the UK, France, and Australia.

The most useful skill you’ll ever learn

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you can learn, not only for the classroom, but for life, work, and relationships. Critical Thinking Skills For Dummies is an accessible and unintimidating introduction to this complex topic. Inside, you’ll find easy-to-understand explanations and exercises that you can put to work today. You’ll also get tips on critically evaluating what you read on social media and AI chatbots—plus other fun topics that will help you become a better thinker.

Inside…

• Identify other people’s arguments and conclusions
• Construct effective arguments
• Evaluate evidence
• Read between the lines and identify false assumptions
• Determine whether arguments are valid and justified