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Personal Reflection Paper

Bobby Dan
HUM/111
December 23, 2012
Jennifer Jones
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Personal Reflection Paper
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about all aspects and sides of
any given idea or argument. When thinking critically, you are engage in reflective and
independent thinking. Critical thinking is the process of breaking down any given concept,
argument, or idea in order to examine all of its individual parts. If we use critical thinking, we
should be able to understand the logical links between ideas, evaluate arguments, and find the
discrepancies as well as the common mistakes in reasoning.
In recent weeks, I have learned more than I imagined possible from this course. I used to
think that my thinking skills were sound and advantageous to me, but I have learned that I did
not think deep enough or ask enough questions. Of the three things that were most significant to
my learning this past block was to question my own decisions, ideas, and thoughts. To be self-
critical and to remember that criticism is valuable to a better process.
The best change that I have noticed to my critical thinking is the self-evaluation of ideas
and decisions. I have noticed that my thinking has become more objective in my views and ideas.
I have also been less apt to assume. Assumptions are invalid without the proof and that is even
more crucial when it comes to your own work. You have to not become enamored by what you
are doing to not see it objectively.
After reviewing my personal evaluation of my thinking from Appendix A, I can
understand why I put myself into the The Practicing Thinker category. My biggest challenges
were to narrow my focus and concentrate more efficiently. Allowing my thoughts to wander
while needing to concentrate or listen to someone completely was a downfall in my thinking
process.
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In review of what we did in week one, I believe that I have moved from The Practicing
Thinker into the next level of The Advanced Thinker. The reason is that I have improved the
ability to hold my focus (I have practiced continuously), and I have started to dig deeper and
question more critically than before. I have been working at thinking critically on all levels and
seeing it become more of a second nature than a practice. I believe that once I have it ingrained
and just a normal part of my thinking process, then I will be very close if not in the Master
Thinker category.