Module 2:  ABC Critical Thinking

Real or Fake — The ABC of Critical Thinking

Not everything you see or hear is true

In a world full of information, some of it is real — and some of it is fake. A good thinker knows how to tell the difference.

Critical thinking means using your brain to check things carefully before you decide what to believe.

The ABC of Critical Thinking

•    A - Ask better questions. Don’t just accept the first thing you hear. Ask:

• Is this real?

• Where did this come from?

• What am I missing?

•    B - Balance your feelings with the facts. Your emotions are important, but they don’t always tell the whole story.
Check the evidence before you act.

•    C - Challenge your biases.  A bias is when your brain takes a shortcut and assumes something without checking.
Slowing down helps you avoid this.

Watch out for the fake

•    Check where information comes from
•    Ask a trusted adult if you are not sure
•    Don’t believe everything you see in a picture. Images can be changed
•    Look for clues that something might not be real

A great thinker stays curious, asks questions, and never rushes to judge.