Critical Thinking

Posted: December 10th, 2013

GISAT 160 / Fall 2012

Pappas

Read The Enemies of Nuclear Power three times slowly before starting to answer the questions.  Answer in complete sentences and provide specific examples from the text.  Maximum length is four pages at 12-point type, with 1.5-line spacing, and 1-inch margins.  Simply paste in the entire question (bold it), and answer it.  Skip #7 this time.

1.  What is the thesis (or central claim) of this text?

2.  What are the author’s motives for writing the text (authorial intent)?

3.  What arguments does the author use to support the thesis?

4.  Identify and explain the methods of argumentation used by the author (such as appeals to the intellect or emotions).

5.  Identify and explain the assumptions (e.g., cultural, scientific, political, social) the author uses to support the thesis.

6.  Identify and explain instances in which the author employs flawed logic or faulty reasoning.  Use the “fallacies in reasoning” handout for explanations.

7.  Assess the reliability of the evidence used by the author by identifying and explaining each of the following:  SKIP THIS QUESTION

a) Which statements are factually inaccurate?

b) Which statements or data are deceptive?

c) What evidence is not relevant to supporting the thesis?

d) What relevant evidence or information has been omitted?

8.  Identify and explain any words or phrases used to support the thesis that are vague, unclear, or ambiguous.