Critical+Thinking+Question+Starters

=Bloom's Taxonomy for Critical Thinking=

=Analysis Level=

Key Words:
analyze, assumption, categorize, classify, compare, conclusion, contrast, discover, dissect, distinguish, divide, examine, function, inference, inspect, list, motive, relationships, simplify, survey, take part in, test for, theme

Questions:
What are the parts or features of...? How is ___ related to...? Why do you think...? What is the theme...? What motive is there...? Can you list the parts...? What inference can you make...? What conclusions can you draw...? How would you classify...? How would you categorize...? Can you identify the different parts...? What evidence can you find...? What is the relationship between...? Can you make a distinction between...? What is the function of...? What ideas justify...?

=Synthesis Level=

Key Words:
adapt, build, change, choose, combine, compile, compose, construct, create, delete, design, develop, discuss, elaborate, estimate, formulate, happen, imagine, improve, invent, make up, maximize, minimize, modify, original, originate, plan, predict, propose, solution, solve, suppose, test, theorize

Questions:
What changes would you make to solve...? How would you improve...? What would happen if...? Can you elaborate on the reason...? Can you propose an alternative...? Can you invent...? How would you adapt ___ to create a different...? How could you change (modify) the plot (plan)...? What could be done to minimize (maximize)...? What way would you design...? What could be combined to improve (change)...? Suppose you could ___ what would you do...? How would you test...? Can you formulate a theory for...? Can you predict the outcome if...? How would you estimate the results for...? What facts can you compile...? Can you construct a model that would change...? Can you think of an original way for the...?

=Evaluation Level=

Key Words:
agree, appraise, assess, award, choose, compare, conclude, criteria, criticize, decide, deduct, defend, determine, disprove, dispute, estimate, evaluate, explain, importance, influence, interpret, judge, justify, mark, measure, opinion, perceive, prioritize, prove, rate, recommend, rule on, select, support, value

Questions:
Do you agree with the actions...? with the outcome...? What is your opinion of...? How would you prove...? disprove...? Can you assess the value or importance of...? Would it be better if...? Why did they (the character) choose...? What would you recommend...? How would you rate the...? What would you cite to defend the actions...? How would you evaluate...? How could you determine...? What choice would you have made...? What would you select...? How would you prioritize...? What judgment would you make about...? Based on what you know, how would you explain...? What information would you use to support the view...? How would you justify...? What data was used to make the conclusion...? Why was it better that...? How would you prioritize the facts...? How would you compare the ideas...? people...?

Developed by Linda G. Barton, M.S. Ed., based on Bloom's Taxonomy

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