Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning:
voice: 956.364.4849 fax: 956.364.5120
Director:
Mailing Address: Steve Szymoniak 1902 North Loop 499 Harlingen, TX 78550
Location: The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is located in W-301 of the Irma Rangel Science and Technology Building
Office Hours: M - F: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat., Sun.: Closed
The Critical Thinking Framework
for
TSTC Harlingen
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
TSTC Harlingen’s Definition of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is an ability to engage in the process of
– application,
– analysis,
– evaluation,
– interpretation, and
– synthesis
in order to make an informed decision.
The Elements of Thought
Whenever we think,
we think for a purpose
within a point of view
based on assumptions
leading to implications and consequences.
We use concepts, ideas, and theories
to interpret data, facts, and experiences
in order to answer questions,
solve problems, and resolve issues.

Purpose
A purpose is a goal, an objective, what is going to be accomplished. We can use the term to include functions, motives, and intentions. We should be clear about our purpose and that purpose should be justifiable.
Question at Issue
The question lays out the problem or issue and guides our thinking. When the question is vague, our thinking will lack clarity and distinctness. The question then should be clear and precise enough to productively guide our thinking.
Information
Information includes the facts, data, evidence, or experiences we use to figure things out. It does not necessarily imply accuracy or correctness. However, the information we use should be as accurate as possible and relevant to the question or issue we are addressing.
Interpretation and Inference
Inferences are interpretations or conclusions we come to. Inferring is what the mind does in figuring something out. Inferences should logically follow from the evidence; in other words, infer no more or less than what is implied in the situation.
Concepts
Concepts are ideas, theories, laws, principles, or hypotheses we use in thinking to make sense of things. It is important to be clear about the concepts we are using and to use them justifiably.
Assumptions
Assumptions are beliefs we take for granted. They usually operate at the subconscious or unconscious level of thought. It is important to make sure that we are clear about our assumptions and that these assumptions are justified by sound evidence.
Implications and Consequences
Implications are the things that might happen if we decide to do something. Consequences are the things that do happen when we act. We should think through possible and probable implications in a situation before acting.
Point of View
Point of view is literally “the place” from which we view something. It includes what we are looking at and the way we are seeing it. Our point of view or perspective can easily distort the way we see situations and issues, so it is important to make sure we understand the limitations of our points of view and that we fully consider other relevant viewpoints.
The Standards of Thought
Critical thinking is thinking that is done well; it meets high standards of
thinking. The standards allow us to evaluate the quality of thinking or
reasoning about a problem, issue, or situation. They are what make
critical thinking different from thinking.

Clarity
Clarity is a gatekeeper standard. If a statement is unclear, we cannot determine whether it is accurate or relevant. In fact, we cannot tell anything about it because we do not know what it is saying. Thinking is clear when it is easily understood, when it is free from the likelihood of misunderstanding, when it is readily apparent what follows from it.
Accuracy
The thinking is accurate when it describes the way things actually are.
Precision
Thinking is precise when it is as specific and detailed as needed in order to reason through a problem or issue.
Relevance
To say something is relevant is to say that it address the problem or question at issue.
Depth
Thinking is deep enough when it looks below the surface of the problem or question at issue and when the complexities that underlie the problem or question are identified and taken into account.
Breadth
Thinking is broad enough when other aspects, other perspectives, other parallel problems or questions are identified and taken into account.
Three Dimensions Of Critical Thinking

Much of the success that students attain
in developing their critical thinking abilities
depends on the models they see.
TSTC’s critical thinking framework was Adapted from Elder, Linda & Paul, Richard. (2005) A Miniature Guide to the Foundations of Analytic Thinking. The Foundation for Critical Thinking can be found at www.criticalthinking.org.
Critical Thinking Rubrics for the Student Learning Objectives  |