Purpose

 The goal or objective of your reasoning

 What you want your students to accomplish

Point of view

 This is the perspective or place from which we view something

 It includes both the focus of our attention (object, idea, person, etc.) and the way we see
it

Questions

 The question that is being addressed

 Can have multiple answers, single conclusion, different purposes, etc.
 Must be clear and precise

Concepts

 These are the powerful ideas, theories, laws, principles or hypotheses that we use to
think about things and make meaning out of our experiences
o They organize data, experiences, fields of study
o We need to be clear about the concepts we use

Assumptions

 These are the beliefs we take for granted, the positions we bring to situations,
discussions, arguments, etc.
o They usually operate subconsciously
o They often direct conscious thinking

Implications and consequences

 These are the claims or truths that logically follow from our thoughts
 They are the things I’m committed to if I believe a specific theory, idea, statement to be
true

Conclusions

 These are the reasoned judgments grounded in supporting reasons that, in turn, are
supported with evidence
o They should logically flow from the evidence (be sound)
o The should avoid fallacies