Analytical/Critical Thinking

Zenhaus. Critical Thinking Skills Diagram.svg. 2018. Wikimedia Commons,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Critical_Thinking_Skills_Diagram.svg.

Definition
Analytical/critical thinking is a form of thinking that requires the individual to analyze an
obstacle and “develop solutions to resolve the problems identified” (Chicago State University).
This form of thinking is often identified as the active process guide for judgment and adequate
action.

Summary
Analytical/critical thinking is a concept that is continually developed through the centuries. This
feature is rooted in the fundamentals of logic and behavior/actions guided in appropriate
intellectual skills. This characteristic contains various skills such as “clarity, accuracy, precision,
consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness” (The
Foundation of Critical Thinking), which all take place in the thought process and the subsequent
response. According to the Paul-Elder framework of critical thinking, it is composed of three
parts: “analysis of thinking…evaluation of thinking…[and] improvement of thinking (University
of Louisville).” People that are competent in this skill are able to study any perspective and find
information that assists or denies the belief. It is said that analytical/critical thinkers often live
their lives in rationality and empathy. These kinds of thinkers often use other intellectual skills
to enhance their evaluation and thought process.

Analysis
Analytical/critical thinking is an essential characteristic to possess in any career field. However, it
is a fundamental characteristic in technical communication as it allows communicators to
identify a problem and the tools to solve it. Technical writers are often given situations in which
they have to break down into parts in order to write about it diligently. When they do this, they
are exercising their analytical thinking skills to benefit their communication.

Additional information
In addition to the information I discussed above, critical thinking is not a universal characteristic.
No one is a pure critical thinker but can obtain a matter of a degree in it. Therefore, it is
important for people to analyze this framework and exercise it to acquire the skill.

● https://www.csu.edu/humanresources/empdev/documents/AnalyticalThinking.pdf
● https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
● https://louisville.edu/ideastoaction/about/criticalthinking/what
● https://louisville.edu/ideastoaction/about/criticalthinking/framework