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Assignments that Include Critical ThinkingII. ASSIGNMENTS THAT INCLUDE CRITICAL THINKING
Here is an example of possible thesis statements for an assignment in which the student analyzes and evaluates one text.
The thesis may be:
§ complete agreement with the author
§ complete disagreement with the author
§ partial agreement with the author, but disagreement on one or two issues
§ partial agreement with the author, but you think the author MISSED one or two essential points
§ partial disagreement with the author, but agreement on one or two issues
§ partial disagreement with the author, and you think the author MISSED one or two essential points
Here are possible thesis statements from an assignment that Karen Chow and I developed on gun ownership and trying children as adults, using articles, surveys, interviews, and Bowling for Columbine. I now require a thesis that includes critical thinking about absolutist positions.
I put the following as examples on the assignment sheet:
Private ownership of semi-assault/assault weapons should be illegal; however, individuals should be allowed to keep a rifle or handgun in the house.
Individuals should be allowed to carry a gun for protection; however, there should be much tighter regulations and restrictions on getting a gun in the first place.
Personal counseling in schools should be a higher priority and better funded; on the other hand, parents should accept responsibility when their children commit felonies.
Juveniles who commit murder with guns should be tried as adults; however, they should be incarcerated in juvenile facilities until they reach the age of eighteen.
I just started requiring that students show awareness of their own process by adding the letters S, P, Q, and C. See below.
In addition, as you use these sources, be aware of when you are summarizing, when you are paraphrasing, when you are quoting, and when you are critiquing your sources. Here are the criteria:
· A summary of the article [put S in brackets].
· At least two paraphrases of information [put P in brackets]
· At least three quotations from the source [put Q in brackets].
· Some critical thinking [put C in brackets]
Here is an example of a full assignment sheet for a literature paper (LART 100 class) that includes critical thinking in the assignment. The critical thinking suggestions are in bold.
Definition Paper - Winter 2005
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