Key Concepts of Critical Thinking

conclusion

another word for an argument's claim

decision mapping

depicts all the arguments, pro or con, which are used in the decision-making process during the consideration of various options and the selection of the final choice. Decision maps can be thought of as argument maps used to analyze and depict the deliberations involved in individual or group decision making

considerations or rationale

other terms used to refer to reasons.

claim

refers to the statement that the maker of the argument is seeking to show to be true or probably true

mapping

technique for analyzing and displaying the reasoning used when making arguments and decisions

argument

the combination of claims and reasons that back up a claim

reason

those sentences in the argument that are used to show that the conclusion is true or that it is probably true,

argument mapping

visual representation of the structure of an argument. ... Argument maps are commonly used in the context of teaching and applying critical thinking.