Using The Five Parts of Argument
Using The Five Parts of Argument
Claim;
Reason;
Evidence;
Warrant;
Acknowledgement and Response.
Argument is also about conversation. Although sometimes we forget, the best arguments are a
forum for:
After you have sketched out your full argument, and even after you have drafted the entire piece
of writing, you should revisit your claim. Ask yourself: Does the claim still introduce and frame
the discussion that follows? Are there elements of the claim that need to be revised? Built upon?
Eliminated? Explained?
Think:
1. Egocentric Thinking
3. Drone Mentality
If you have a drone mentality, this means you don’t pay attention to what is going on around
you. A drone mentality can sneak up on anyone at any time. Daily routines often lead to a
drone mentality and can prevent or cause a loss of critical thinking skills.
4. Social Conditioning
5. Biased Experiences
Personal biases can prohibit critical thinking because they prevent the thinker from being
fair, inquisitive and open-minded. This kind of thinking can also prevent an individual from
using experience, reasoning and common sense to make informed decisions.
6. Schedule Pressures
Time constraints often serve as a barrier to integrating learning opportunities that support critical
thinking skills. Test scores and mandated teaching measures often result in teachers covering a
great deal of content in a short amount of time.
With training, practice and patience, teachers can learn various strategies that equip them to
naturally model thinking behaviours in the classroom that improve learners' critical thinking
skills.
7. Arrogance and Intolerance
True critical thinkers do not welcome arrogance and intolerance into their minds. It is
nearly impossible to find the best solution to a problem with a close-minded mindset. Without
critical thinking skills, individuals often react thoughtlessly and recklessly to situations. What
they should do, however, is to assess and take responsibility for their choices while accepting the
rewards or consequences that follow those choices.