Page 2 - Movie Critics-Selly Smith

What is Critical Thinking?

C
ritical thinking is a person’s ability to develop

their own criterion towards a topic or

situation. Such criterion, however, may not

imply a loose or hasty impression of the subject, but

rather and insightful and conscientious intellectual

product based on knowledge, experience, emotions,

and a keen eye of the critic to see beyond the apparent, and read between the lines,

to expose the underlying essence of the subject of critic. More than just giving an

opinion, a skillful critic must be able to reason and justify his position with strong

arguments supported by elements present in the object of criticism.

The Foundation for Critical Thinking cites Linda Elder’s (2007) affirmation that critical

thinkers “Use the intellectual tools that critical thinking offers – concepts and

principles that enable them to analyze, assess and improve thinking.” This means

that critical thinking skills are not necessarily innate but can be learned and improved

by developing and adequately applying the intellectual tools.

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