Term | Definition |
Directive decision making | the decision making style emphasizes the here and now |
evidence | reasons why something is true based on statistics, expert testimony or examples |
fact | a piece of information that cannot be disputed |
focused thinking | deliberately managing your attention and directing your thoughts; thinking critically and creatively |
imaginative creative style | this creative style is best described as insightful |
inductive argument | go from specific observations to general conclusions |
innovative creative style | this creative style is best described as curious |
inspirational creative style | this creative style is best described as visionary |
intuitive creative style | this creative style is best described as resourceful |
logical fallacies | false logic strategies |
either/or thinking | taking only an extreme position on an issue when other positions are possible |
emotional appeal | appealing to someone's feelings in order to gain acceptance of an argument |
false authority | attributing your argument to someone else in a supposed position of power to get you off the hook |
false cause and effect | assuming one cause for something when other causes are possible too |
hasty conclusion | jumping to a conclusion when other conclusions are possible |
oversimplification/overgeneralization | reducing a complex issue to something very simple or stereotyping |
personal attack | reacting to a challenge by attacking the challenger |
shifting the burden of proof | shifting the responsibility of proving an assertion to someone else because you have no evidence for what you assert |
straw man | attempting to prove an argument by overstating, exaggerating, or oversimplifying the arguments of the opposing side |
unwarranted assumption | taking too much for granted without evidence |
metacognition | thinking about thinking and learning about your learning |
proposition | a point |
relevancy | relating to a topic or argument; a condition of a sound argument |
adequacy | having enough information; a condition of a sound argument |
analytical decision making style | this decision making style emphasizes a logical approach |
argument | a line of reasoning that uses evidence to persuade |
assumptions | things you take for granted |
behavioral decision making style | decision making style that emphasizes people |
claim | a statement that can be true or false, but not both |
conceptual decision making style | decision making style that emphasizes the big picture |
contradictory | two people saying opposite things |
creative thinking | thinking that produces ideas |
critical thinking | thinking that analyzes and evaluates ideas |
deductive argument | go from broad generalization to specific conclusions |
test anxiety | a level of anxiety about taking tests so high that interferes with test success |
thesis | your main point |
trace | describe a process |
emotional | feeling |
enumerate | list qualities, characteristics, events, and so on |
ethical standards | agreements about what is right and wrong |
explain | similar to discuss: describe cause/effect relationship, the significance of something, the pros and cons or the role played by someone or something |
illustrate | give concrete examples |
interpret | comment on, give examples, provide and explanation for discuss |
objective tests | tests with question that have only one right answer, such as a multiple choice test |
outline | describe the plot, main ideas, or organization of something |
physiological | your body reacting bodily |
prove | support an argument with evidence from the text or class notes |
qualifiers | words like sometimes, often, and ordinarily that often make a statement true in a false true question |
relate | show the relationship or connection between two things |
state | explain in precise terms |
subjective tests | tests with questions that require writing and can have multiple correct answers, such as an essay test |
summarize | give a condensed account of key points, reduce to the essential components |
absolutes | words like always, never and entirely that often make a statement false in a true false question |
accountability | understanding the consequences of doing a good job or a poor one |
analyze | break into separate parts and examine or discuss each part |
asertions | statements you claim to be true |
behavioral | doing |
cognitive | thinking |
compare | examine two or more things, find the similarities and differences |
comprehension | understanding |
conscientious | dedicated to doing your best |
contrast | find the differences between two or more things |
criteria | standards |
critique, criticize, or evaluate | make a judgment, describe the worth of something |
define | provide the meaning |
describe | give a detailed account, list characteristics or qualities |
discuss | describe a cause/effect relationship, the significance of something, the pros and cons, or the role played by someone or something |