Template: Critical Thinking Analysis Worksheet

Issue/Claim Identification

Topic or claim being analyzed: [Write the specific claim, argument, or issue you’re examining]

Source of the claim/issue: [Note where you encountered this - article, conversation, social media, etc.]

Initial Reaction Assessment

My initial reaction: [Describe your immediate thoughts and feelings about this claim]

Potential biases affecting my reaction: [Identify any personal biases that might influence your analysis]

Assumption Analysis

Explicit assumptions in the claim: [List assumptions that are clearly stated]

Implicit assumptions that might be present: [List assumptions that seem to underlie the claim but aren’t stated]

My own assumptions about this topic: [Identify assumptions you might be bringing to your analysis]

Evidence Evaluation

Evidence presented to support the claim: [List and briefly describe the evidence provided]

Evaluation of evidence quality: - Currency: [Is the evidence up-to-date?] - Relevance: [Does it directly address the claim?] - Authority: [Is the source credible?] - Accuracy: [Is it supported by other reliable sources?] - Purpose: [Why was this evidence created/presented?]

Missing evidence that would be relevant: [Note important evidence that isn’t addressed]

Logical Analysis

Structure of the argument: [Identify premises and conclusion]

Type of reasoning used: [Deductive, inductive, or combination?]

Potential logical fallacies: [Identify any reasoning errors]

Alternative Perspectives

Alternative viewpoints on this issue: [List other reasonable positions on this topic]

Strongest counterarguments: [What are the best arguments against the claim?]

How these alternatives might be addressed: [How might proponents of the original claim respond?]

Implications and Consequences

If this claim is accepted, what follows? [Consider short and long-term consequences]

Who benefits or is harmed if this claim is accepted? [Consider various stakeholders]

Emotional Intelligence Check

Emotions this topic triggers for me: [Identify specific emotions and their intensity]

How these emotions might influence my analysis: [Reflect on potential emotional biases]

Strategies I’m using to maintain objectivity: [List specific approaches you’re taking]

Conclusion

My assessment of the claim’s validity: [Provide your reasoned conclusion]

Confidence level in this assessment: [High, moderate, or low - and explain why]

Questions that remain unanswered: [List areas where more information is needed]

Action Plan

Next steps to deepen understanding: [What additional research or reflection is needed?]

How I might apply this analysis: [How will this critical thinking process inform your decisions or beliefs?]