I_aa get_aa most_aa of_aa my_aa news_aa from_aa the_aa morning_aa TV_aa
news._aa I_aa tend_aa to_aa analyze_aa what_aa I_aa hear_aa and_aa view_aa by_
comparing_aa what_aa one_aa station_aa says_aa to_aa another._aa Additionally,_aa
I_aa will_aa have_ conversations_aa with_aa friends_aa and_aa family_aa about_aa
what_aa we_aa all_aa learned_aa to_aa see_aa how_aa we_aa each_aa interpreted_aa
it.As_aa a_aa citizen,_aa I_aa get_aa involved_aa in_aa the_aa governmental_aa
process_aa most_aa directly_aa by_aa casting_aa my_a vote_aa every_aa election._aa
Prior_aa to_aa elections,_aa I_aa apply_aa critical_aa thinking_aa during_aa the_aa
process_ of _aa learning_ about_ the _aa candidates._ I_ find_ it _aa
imperative_aa to_aa learn_aa as_aa much_aa as_aa I_aa can_aa about_aa their_aa
viewpoints,_aa analyze _aa their _aa track_aa records, _aa and _aa compare_aa their_aa
ideas_aa to_aa my_aa own_aa ways_aa of_aa thinking_aa prior_aa to_aa casting_aa
my_a vote.Popular_aa appeal_aa is_aa a_aa fallacy_aa I_ often_a see_ in _aa
advertising_aa that_aa I_aa tend_aa to_aa spot_aa rather_aa quickly_aa and_aa
dismiss._aa Commercials_aa for_aa cars_aa are_aa particularly_aa guilty_aa of_aa
this_aa in_aa that_aa they_aa make_aa it_aa seem_aa as_aa though_aa everyone_aa
is_aa giving_aa the_aa gift_aa of_aa a_aa car_aa for_aa Christmas_aa or_ your_aa
life_aa will_aa be_aa more_aa like_aa people_aa you_aa admire_aa if_aa you_aa
get_aa a_ new_aa car._aa I_aa plan_aa to_aa be_aa a_ more_aa mindful_aa
consumer_aa by_aa truly_aa listening_aa to_aa what_aa is_aa being_aa pitched_aa
to_a me_ before _aa making_ purchasing_aa decisions,_aa as_ well_aa as _
doing_aa comparison_aa shopping.My_aa favorite_aa part_aa of_aa this_aa class_aa
was_aa learning_aa the_aa different_aa communication_aa styles,_aa finding_aa my_
own,_aa and_aa finding_aa those_aa of_aa family_aa members._aa I_aa think_aa
this_aa will_aa help_aa us_aa with_aa our_aa internal_aa communications._aa The_aa
most_aa difficult_aa part_aa for_aa me_aa was_aa the_aa segment_aa on_aa
arguments,_a because _aa I_a tend _ to _aa be _a heavily _aa influenced _aa by _aa
my_aa own_a personal_aa biases._ I_aa typically_aa get_aa my_aa information_aa
from_aa major_aa news_aa outlets_aa such_aa as_aa MSNBC._aa I_aa prefer_aa
sources_aa that_aa use_aa factual_aa evidence_ to_aa lead_aa their_aa reporting._a
I_aa feel_aa by_aa watching_aa news_aa channels,_aa reading_aa articles_aa and_aa
doing_aa overall_aa research_aa to_aa become_aa informed_aa on_aa government_aa
proceedings_a is_aa the_aa best_a way_ to_aa be_aa involved._aa However, _aa
not_aa all_ sources_ are_ reliable _aa so,_ I_ use_ my_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa to_aa cypher_aa through,_aa to_aa the_aa best_aa of_aa my_aa ability,_aa
and_aa determine_aa what_aa is_aa actually_aa true._aa I_aa try_aa to_aa find_aa
sources_aa that_aa will_ keep_ personal_aa bias_aa out_aa and_ show _aa
both_ sides_ of_ the_ argument._ This_ reasoning_ has_ lead _aa
me_aa to_aa outlets_aa such_aa as_aa MSNBC;_aa the_aa program_aa includes_aa
shows_aa that_aa are_aa lead_aa from_aa both_aa political_aa parties,_aa and_aa
will_aa quickly_aa correct_aa themselves_aa if_aa there_aa is_aa ever_aa a_aa
misleading_aa report. _aa When _aa consuming _aa political _aa news _aa I _aa avoid _aa
propaganda,_ which_ are_ typically_a fallacies_ in_ my_ opinion. _aa
For_aa example,_aa there_aa has_a been_aa candidates_aa who_aa use_aa propaganda_aa
such_aa as,_aa all_aa immigrants_aa are_aa criminals,_aa which_aa is_aa a_aa
blatant_aa lie_aa but_aa unfortunately_aa some_aa view_aa this_aa as_aa true_aa
due_aa to_aa stereotypes._aa I_aa loved_aa being_aa able_aa to_aa use_aa the_aa
lessons_aa in_aa this_aa class_aa to_a self_aa evaluate._aa I_aa have_aa learned_
new_aa skills_aa to_aa sharpen_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking._aa
Business_aa Profession
Business_aa professionals_aa need_aa to_aa solve_aa problems,_aa analyze_aa data_
and_aa information,_aa draw_aa conclusions,_aa and_aa make_aa decisions,_aa all_aa
of_aa which_aa are_aa elements_aa in_ critical_aa thinking._a Using_aa critical_aa
thinking_aa skills_aa to_aa tap_aa into_aa one’s_aa creativity_aa to_aa solve_aa
problems_ is_ paramount_ for_ successful_ management_ and _aa
entrepreneurs.
Education_aa Profession
Educators_aa are_aa responsible_ for_ teaching_aa the_ necessary_aa skills _aa
to_aa be_aa successful_aa in_aa life,_aa and_aa critical_aa thinking_aa skills_aa
are_aa at_aa the_aa top_aa of_aa the_aa list._aa Educators_aa also_aa need_aa to_aa
think_ through_ the_ best_ ways_ to_ teach_ the_ curriculum _aa
so_aa that_aa their_ students _aa are_ more_ successful _aa in _aa their _aa
learning_aa processes.
Humanities_aa Profession
Whether_aa you_aa are_aa seeking_aa your_ degree_aa in_aa English,_aa Human_aa
Services,_aa Social_aa Science,_aa or_aa another_aa humanities-based_aa profession,_aa
you_aa are_ going_aa to_aa need_aa to_aa apply_aa critical_aa thinking_aa skills_a
to_aa be_aa successful._aa To_aa help_aa others,_aa you_aa need_aa to_aa be_aa
able_aa to_aa think_aa through_aa the_aa possible_aa options_aa and_aa decide_aa
upon_aa the_a best_aa course_aa of_aa action.
Information_aa Technology_ (Computer)_aa Profession
The_aa IT_aa industry_aa changes_aa rapidly,_aa and_aa those_aa working_aa in_aa
that_aa field_ need _aa to _aa be _aa able _aa to _aa keep _aa up. _aa It_ is _aa
not_aa enough_a to_a learn_ how_a something_ is_ done_ today_ –
_aa you _ need _aa to _ be _ able _aa to _ think_ critically_aa about_aa
where_aa the_aa industry_aa is_aa heading.
Medical_aa Profession
As_aa with_aa science-based_aa professions,_aa the_aa medical_aa community_aa
uses_aa the_aa Scientific_aa Method_aa to_aa determine_aa the_aa best_aa treatments_aa
for_aa patients’_aa ailments._aa The_aa Scientific_ Method_aa is_aa a_aa structured_aa
way_a to _aa apply _aa critical _aa thinking _ skills. _aa Scientists _aa do _aa not _aa
come_a up_aa with_aa a_aa theory_a and_aa then_aa try_aa to_aa fit_aa the _aa
facts_aa into_aa that_aa theory._aa Instead,_aa they_aa follow_aa where_aa the_aa
facts_aa lead_aa them_aa and_aa form_aa theories_aa that_aa explain_ the_a fact.
Psychology_aa or_aa Counseling_aa Profession
To_ help_ people_ with_ their_ personal_ and/or_ professional _aa
problems,_aa one_aa needs_aa to_ be_ able_aa to_aa think_aa through_aa the_aa
possible_ options_ and_ decide_ upon_ the_ best_ course_ of _a
action.
Science-based_aa Profession
The_aa Scientific_aa Method_aa is_aa a_aa structured_aa way_aa to_aa apply_aa
critical_a thinking _aa skills. _aa Scientists _aa do _aa not _aa come_aa up_a with _a
a_a theory_a and_aa then_aa try_a to_aa fit_aa the_aa facts_aa into_ that _aa
theory._a Instead, _aa they_aa follow _aa where_aa the_aa facts_aa lead _aa them _aa
and_aa form_aa theories_aa that_aa explain_aa the_aa fact._aa For_aa the_aa most_aa
part_aa I_aa get_ my_aa news_aa from_aa mostly_aa local_a news_ stations_aa
in_aa my_aa area_aa that_aa cover_aa topics_aa that_aa could_aa possibly_aa effect_aa
me_aa the_aa most._aa I_aa analyze_aa what_aa I_aa hear_aa from_aa local_aa
and_aa national_aa news_aa outlets_aa very_aa carefully_aa to_a ensure_aa that_aa
I_aa am_aa not_aa being_aa mislead_aa to_a believe_aa a_a certain_aa agenda_aa
or_aa narrative._aa I_aa usually_aa research_aa multiple_aa sources_aa of_aa news_aa
for_aa the_aa same_aa story_aa to_aa make_aa sure_aa I_aa get_aa all_aa the_aa
details._a As_ a_a citizen,_ the_ best_aa way_ to_ get_aa involved _aa
in_ your_ government_ local_ or_ national_ is_ to_ vote. _aa
Voting_aa is_aa not_aa only_ your_aa civic_aa duty_aa but_aa voting_aa allows_a
the_ citizen_ to_ exercise_ their_ right_ to_ keep_ politicians _aa
accountable._aa When_aa voting_aa in_aa an_aa election_aa you_aa using_aa critical_aa
thinking_ because_ you_ have_ to_ make_ a_ decision_ on _aa
policies_aa and_aa the_aa person_aa in_aa that_aa office.Rhetoric_aa is_aa used_aa
especially_aa during_aa an_aa election_aa season_aa by_aa the_aa candidates_aa
running_aa for_aa office._aa An_aa example_aa of_aa the_aa rhetoric_aa is_aa a_aa
campaign_aa commercial._aa You_aa will_aa frequently_aa hear_aa advertisements_aa
that_aa favor_aa a_aa candidate_aa over_aa the_aa other_aa candidate_aa that_aa
is_aa running_aa against_aa the_aa other_aa person._aa I_aa have_aa enjoyed_aa
the_aa entire_aa class_aa epically_aa learning_aa about_aa fallacies,_aa critical_aa
thinking_a and_a arguments._aa I_ have_ enjoyed_ this_ class_a and _aa
would_aa highly_aa recommend_aa it_aa to_aa people_aa starting_aa at_aa the_aa
University_aa of_aa Phoenix._aa I_aa get_aa most_aa of_aa my_aa info_aa from_aa
Facebook_aa because_aa everyone_a talks_aa about_aa everything._ The_aa way_aa
I_aa analyze_aa it_aa and_aa justify_aa if_aa things_aa being_aa said_aa are_aa
real_aa is_aa by_a looking_aa it_aa up_aa on_aa google_aa to_ see_aa what's_aa
true_aa or_aa false._aa I_aa like_aa to_aa visit_a multiple_aa sites_aa to_aa make_aa
sure_a my _aa information _aa is _aa accurate.On_aa a_aa personal _aa level _aa I _aa
do_aa not_ get_aa into_a the_aa governmental_aa process._a One_ reason _aa
is_aa because_aa I_aa am_aa in_aa the_aa military_aa and_aa it_ does_aa not_aa
look_aa professional_aa if_aa I_aa get_aa into_aa it._aa And_aa I_aa do_aa not_aa
get_aa into_aa it_a because_aa I_aa really_aa do_aa not_aa know_aa a_aa whole_aa
lot_aa about_aa it._aa My_aa news_aa comes_aa from_aa the_aa radio_aa and_aa
internet_aa sites_aa like_aa MSN._aa As_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker,_aa I_aa do_aa
analyze_aa what_aa a_aa hear_aa and_aa read, _aa knowing _aa that _aa a _aa lot _aa
of_aa information_aa provided_aa is_aa bias_a based_a on_aa the_aa viewpoints_aa
of_aa the_aa commentator_aa or_aa author._aa As_aa a_aa citizen,_aa I_aa have_aa
written_aa e_aa mails_aa to_aa my_aa senator_aa and_aa representative_aa of_aa
my_aa district_aa to_aa get_aa my_aa opinion_aa heard._aa My_ critical_aa
thinking_ skills_ have_ helped_ me_ get_ my_ point_ across, _aa
being_aa well-informed_aa and_aa rational_aa in_aa my_aa writing_aa makes_aa it_aa
easier_aa for_aa them_aa to_aa understand.The_aa most_aa common_aa fallacy_aa
see_ is_ the_ inappropriate_ appeal _aa to _ authority _ in _
advertisements._aa The_aa advertisers_aa use_aa a_aa pro-athlete_aa or_aa celebrity_aa
who_aa is_aa popular_aa at_aa the_aa time_ to_a get_aa you_aa to_aa purchase_aa
their_aa product._aa As_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker,_aa I_aa would_aa not_aa buy_aa
a_aa Lincoln_aa car,_ just_aa because_aa Mathew_aa McConaughey_aa is_aa the_aa
spokesperson_aa for_aa the_aa brand._aa I_aa would_aa research_aa if_aa the_aa
brand_aa is_aa reliable_aa and_aa affordable_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa sound_aa
decision.My_ favorite_ activity_ was_ learning_ about_ fallacies, _aa
being_aa able_aa to_aa identify_aa the_aa fallacy_aa I_aa heard_aa or_ seen_aa
was_aa educational._a The_aa most_aa challenging_aa activity_aa was_aa finding_aa
the_ correct_ article_ in_ week_ four’s_ homework_ assignment. _aa
You_ must_ clarify_ your_ search_ to_ get_ the_ correct _aa
articles,_aa that_aa are_aa most_aa helpful._aa I_aa get_aa most_aa of_aa my_aa
news_aa on_aa the_aa internet._aa I_aa never_aa like_aa to_aa go_aa to_aa a_
specific_a source,_ they _aa tend_ to_ tell_ the_ side_ of_ the _aa
story_aa they_aa want._aa In_aa my_aa opinion_aa most_aa are_aa very_aa biased._aa
For_aa example_aa I'll_aa go_aa to_aa CNN_aa and_aa Fox_aa news_aa for_aa
updates_aa on_aa politics._aa I'll_aa look_ up_aa the_aa same_aa subject,_aa I'll_aa
then_ analyze_ the_ differences_ and_ go_ to_ the_ comment _aa
sections_aa to_aa see_aa how_aa people_aa are_aa reacting_aa and_aa feeling_aa
about_ the_ matter._ By_ doing _aa that_ it_ allows_ me_ to _aa
form_ my_ opinion_ while_ also_ hearing_ different_ view _aa
points.As_aa a_aa citizen_aa you_a can_aa take_aa different_aa steps_aa to_aa get_aa
involved_aa in_aa the_aa governmental_aa process._aa You_aa can_aa contact_aa
government_ officials._ You_ can_ also_ participate_ in_ the _aa
voting_aa elections._aa This_aa year_aa it_aa was_aa made_ easier_aa as_aa we_aa
were_aa given_aa different_aa options_aa to_aa cast_aa our_aa votes._aa When_aa
involved_aa in_aa these_aa activities_aa it's_aa important_aa to_aa analyze,_aa stick_aa
to_aa the_aa facts_aa and_aa remove_aa the_aa emotion_aa part_aa of_aa it,_aa
and_aa really_a looking _aa at_aa the_a macro_aa level._aa As _aa well_ as _
the_aa desired_aa best_aa outcome_aa for_aa all_aa parties_aa involved.In_aa every_aa
successful_ business_ it's_ important_ to_ use_ the_ art_ of _aa
rhetoric_aa in_aa order_aa to_aa appeal_aa to_aa their_aa targeted_aa audience_aa
and_ convince_ them_a to_ make_ the_ purchase._ The_ most _aa
common_aa one_aa I_aa see_aa is_aa beauty_aa products._aa They_aa will_aa use_aa
celebrities_ to_ advertise_ their_ products_ and_ convince_ the _aa
consumer_aa that_aa they_aa as_aa well_aa can_ look_aa like_aa them._aa It's_aa
important_aa to_aa apply_aa critical_aa thinking_aa and_aa read_aa what_aa
ingredients_aa are_aa in_aa the_aa products,_aa read_aa reviews_aa and_aa make_aa
a_aa decision_aa to_ buy_aa based_aa on_ that._aa My_aa favourite_aa class_aa
activity_aa was_ really_aa the_aa interaction_aa on_aa our_aa posts_aa and_aa
seeing_aa how_aa everyone_aa processed_aa the_aa same_aa information_aa we_aa
were_aa given._aa I_aa also_aa enjoyed_aa the_aa quick_aa videos_aa as_ they_aa
were_aa informative_ and_a straight_aa to_aa the_aa point._aa Most_aa challenging_aa
I_aa would_aa say_aa for_aa me_ was_ the_aa first_aa week_aa just_aa getting_aa
into_aa the_aa flow_aa of_aa the_aa classroom._aa I'm_aa not_aa big_aa on_aa
social_aa media_aa so_aa I_aa don't_aa get_aa much_aa of_aa my_aa news_aa
from_aa there,_ but _aa many_aa of_aa my _aa friends _aa *are* _aa big _aa on _aa
social_aa media_aa where_aa news_aa travels_aa like_aa wildfire._aa Most_aa of_aa
the_a time_ the _aa way_aa that_ I _aa learn_aa about_a current_ events_aa
is_aa one_aa of_ my_aa friends_aa mentions_aa it,_aa I_aa google_ it,_aa and_aa
I_aa read_aa the_aa first_aa few_aa articles.
For_aa starters,_aa I_aa vote._a Voting_aa is_ a_aa massive_aa exercise_aa in_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa -_aa any_aa and_aa all_aa parties_aa you_aa could_aa be_aa
voting_aa for_aa are_aa trying_aa to_aa persuade_aa you_aa to_aa vote_aa for_aa
them._aa If_aa you_aa don't_aa think_aa critically_aa and_aa ignore/avoid_aa the_aa
persuasions_aa of_aa the_aa candidates,_aa you_aa may_aa end_aa up_aa supporting_aa
someone_aa that_aa doesn't_aa yield_aa the_aa best_aa outcome.
I've_aa seen_aa the_aa Ad_aa Hominem_aa fallacy_aa used_aa countless_aa times_aa
in_aa advertising._aa People_aa think_aa insults_aa are_aa funny,_aa so_aa using_aa
an_aa insult_aa against_aa your_aa competitor_aa as_aa a_aa reason_aa to_aa buy_aa
your_aa product_aa makes_aa people_aa laugh_aa and_aa like_aa your_aa product.
I'd_aa say_aa my_ favorite_aa was_aa the_aa breakdown_aa of_aa types_aa of_aa
arguments_aa and_aa the_aa visual_aa outlines_aa of_aa them._aa It_aa made_aa a_aa
lot_aa of_a sense,_aa was_aa engaging,_aa and_aa made_aa me_aa come_aa out_aa
of_aa it_aa feeling_a like_aa I_aa had_a really_aa learned_aa something._aa The_aa
most_aa challenging_aa concept_aa for_aa me_aa was_aa the_aa concept_aa of_
empathy_aa being_aa a_aa core_aa component_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking._aa I_aa
understand_aa it_aa now,_aa but_aa it_aa still_aa doesn't_aa make_aa a_aa lot_aa
of_aa rational_ sense _aa to_ me._ I _aa get_ my_ news _aa from _aa
several_aa sources._aa I_aa watch_aa network_a news_aa from_aa our_aa Portland_aa
affiliates_aa and_ then_aa the_aa National_aa news_aa from_aa either_aa ABC_aa
or_ CBS._ I_ also _aa watch_ the _aa Public _aa Broadcasting_ News _a
Hour_aa to_aa get_aa a_aa broader_aa look_aa at_ the_aa news._aa Something_aa
with_aa a_aa little_a more_a depth_aa in_aa their_ coverage._aa I_ think _aa
that_aa since_aa I_aa started_aa taking _aa this_aa class,_a my _aa mind_ has _a
started_aa to_aa question_aa everything_a I_aa hear._aa I_aa question_aa whether_aa
the_aa facts_aa are_aa valid_aa and_aa if_aa they_aa are_aa laying_aa some_aa
fallacy._aa Most_ of _aa what_ I _aa hear _aa lately _aa is _aa a _aa relevant _aa
story,_aa but_aa with_aa what_aa is_aa going_aa on_aa in_aa our_aa Nation's_aa
Capital_aa these_ last_aa few_aa days,_aa the_aa list_aa of_aa fallacy’s_aa coming_aa
out_aa of_a President’s_aa mouth_a causes_aa me_aa great_aa concern._aa
The_aa biggest_aa thing_aa that_aa I_ can_aa do_aa is_aa to_aa vote._aa That_aa
is_ the_a biggest_ thing _aa that_ anybody_ can_ do._ I_ also_aa
spent_aa 8_aa years_a working_aa in_aa Radio._aa I_ was_aa a_aa Newscaster_aa
at_ one_ of_a our_ local_ radio_ stations._ I_ reported_ on _a
local_aa area_aa news,_aa City_aa Council_aa meetings,_aa and_aa all_aa of_aa
the_a workings_aa of_ city_a and_aa county_aa governments._a One_aa of _aa
the_aa rewards_aa of_aa working_aa there_aa was_aa I_aa worked_aa for_a a _aa
sitting_aa Congressman_aa and_aa had_aa all_aa the_aa state_aa and_aa National_aa
Senators_aa and_aa Congressmen_aa come_aa through_aa and_aa I_aa would_aa get_aa
to_ interview _aa them. _aa It _aa was _aa a _aa great _aa honor _aa to _aa have _aa
met_aa each_aa of_aa them_aa during_aa my_aa time_aa as_aa a_aa newscaster._aa
Back_aa then,_aa my_ critical _aa thinking _aa skills _aa were _aa all _aa right _aa
but_aa not_aa as_aa good_aa as_aa they_aa are_aa now._aa There_aa were_aa a_aa
few_aa of_aa the_aa people_aa that_aa I_aa interviewed_aa that_aa what_aa I_aa
would_aa call_aa “Quoting_aa the_aa Party_aa line”_aa and_aa did_aa not_aa
express_aa how_ they_aa felt_aa about_aa an_aa issue,_aa but_aa they_aa were_aa
all_aa well_aa informed_aa and_aa were_aa a_aa credit_aa to_aa the_aa office_aa
that_aa they_a served._aa
I_aa will_aa focus_aa my_aa attention_aa on_aa the_aa commercials_aa that_aa use_aa
Rhetorical_aa Devices._aa These_aa commercials_aa use_aa different_aa use_aa of_aa
language_aa that_ is_aa hard_aa to_ understand_aa if_ you_aa are_a not _aa
careful._aa Language_aa such_aa as_aa euphemisms._aa Sarcasm_aa to_aa get_aa
their_aa point_aa across_aa to_aa the_aa consumer._aa These_aa types_aa of_aa
ads_aa are_aa for_a making_aa a_aa quick_aa buck_aa only_aa and_aa do_aa not_aa
care_aa how_aa they_aa get_aa their_ point_aa across._aa What_aa we_aa must_a
do_aa as_aa consumers_aa are_aa to_aa what_aa out_aa for_aa these_aa types_aa
of_ ads_ and_ so_ send_ them_ to_ the_ curb._ Realize _aa
them_aa for_ what_aa they_a are_aa and_aa to_aa ignore_aa them._
I_aa would_aa have_aa to_a say_aa that_aa learning_aa about_aa all_ of_aa the_aa
diverse_aa ways_aa that_aa the_aa Mass_aa Media_aa uses_aa to_aa trick_aa all_a
of_aa us_aa to_aa buy_aa what_aa we_aa do_aa not_aa need._aa I_aa have_aa
always_aa had_aa a_aa good_aa head_aa on_aa my_aa shoulders._aa And_aa I_aa
was_aa taught_aa to_aa think_aa for_aa myself,_aa but_aa since_aa I_aa have_aa
taken_aa this_aa class,_aa I_aa certainly_aa have_aa a_aa lot_aa more_aa to_a
think_aa about._a The _aa most_aa challenging_aa thing _aa is _aa that. _aa “what _aa
I_aa know_aa is_aa not_aa nearly_aa enough_aa of_aa what_aa I_aa should_aa
know.”_aa If_aa that_aa makes_aa sense._aa There_aa is_aa so_aa much_aa that_aa
I_aa now_aa must_aa learn_a just_aa to_aa get_aa caught_aa up._aa This_aa is_
something_ that_ I_ will_ keep_ learning_ from_ now_ on. _aa
Regarding_aa my_aa news_aa and_a information,_aa I_aa seek_aa an_aa unbiased_aa
news_aa source_aa that_ presents_aa the_aa story_aa factually,_aa without_aa any_aa
spin_aa toward_aa political_aa stance_aa or_ benefit_aa from_aa the_aa broadcasting_aa
company._aa When_aa obtaining_aa information_aa from_aa any_aa source,_aa I_aa
apply_aa the_aa mnemonic_ device_aa CCRCS_aa as_aa a_aa criteria_aa checklist._a
I_aa analyze_aa the_aa clarity,_aa credibility_aa (one_aa of_aa the_aa most_aa
significant_aa component_aa to_aa news_aa and_aa information,_aa I_aa believe),_aa
conciseness,_aa relevance,_aa completeness,_aa and_a soundness._aa
We_aa live_aa in_aa a_aa vociferous_aa world,_aa where_aa there_aa is_aa an_aa
infinite_aa amount_aa of_aa information_aa assessable._aa There_aa is_ a_aa large_aa
amount_ of_ misinformation_ being_ published_ and_ feed_ to _aa
our_aa society._aa According_a to_aa Boss_aa (2016),_aa information_aa can_aa
be_aa distorted_aa by_aa cognitive_aa and_aa social_aa errors_aa such_aa as_aa
confirmation_aa bias,_aa probability_aa error,_aa and_aa the_aa "one_ of_ us/one_aa
of_aa them"_aa error._a Now,_ more_aa than---_aa ever,_aa it_aa is_ essential_aa
for_aa us_aa to_aa be_aa critical_aa thinkers_aa and_aa apply_aa our_ critical_aa
thinking_aa skills_aa to_aa ensure_ we_a receive_aa accurate_aa and_ creditable_aa
information_ to_ be_ well-informed_ individuals_ and_ not_ just _aa
opinionated._aa As_aa citizens_aa and_aa community_aa members_aa of_aa a_aa
great_aa society,_aa we_ can_aa get_aa involved_aa in_aa the_aa governmental_aa
process_aa by_aa volunteering_aa in_ local_aa political_aa campaigns,_aa voting_aa
and_aa elections,_aa lobbying_aa legislators,_aa joining_aa advocacy_aa groups,_aa
serving_aa on_aa juries,_aa and_aa engaging_aa in_a civil_ disobedience_aa to_aa
protest_aa unjust_aa laws._aa Although_aa much_aa of_aa advertising,_aa
commercials,_aa etc.,_aa can_aa be_aa informative,_aa they_aa are_aa fallacy_aa or_a
rhetoric._ Many_ ads_ rely _aa on_ fallacies _aa and _aa psychological _aa
persuasion_aa rather_aa than_aa credible_aa information_aa and_aa rational_aa
argumentation._aa For_aa example,_aa Scare_aa tactics_aa are_aa used_aa to_aa
create_aa anxiety_aa or_aa play_aa on_aa our_aa fears,_aa insecurities,_aa or_aa
sense_aa of_aa shame._aa We_aa are_aa told_aa that_aa we_aa are_ not_aa good-
looking_aa or_aa thin_aa enough,_aa have_aa bad_aa breath,_aa body_aa odor,_aa
or_aa dandruff,_aa have_aa an_aa unattractive_aa personality_aa or_aa the_aa wrong_aa
clothes,_aa or_ are_aa poor_aa parents._a The_aa ad_aa then_aa promises_aa a_a
solution_aa to_aa the_ problem—which_ in_aa some_aa cases,_aa we_aa didn't_aa
realize_aa we_aa had_aa in_aa the_aa first_aa place._aa Although_aa some_aa ads_aa
that_aa use_aa scare_aa tactics_aa promote_aa products_aa that_aa may_aa deliver_a
on_aa their_aa promises,_aa others_aa go_aa on_ to_aa commit_aa the_aa fallacy_aa
of_aa questionable_aa cause_aa by_aa creating_aa a_aa false_aa expectation_aa that_
something_ wonderful,_ such_ as_ becoming _aa more _aa beautiful, _aa
thinner,_aa more_aa popular,_aa or_aa happier,_aa will_aa result_aa if_aa we_aa
use_aa the_aa product.Our_aa society_aa is_aa being_aa study_aa and_aa targeted_aa
for_aa financial_aa gain._aa Advertisers_aa exploit_aa our_aa vulnerabilities;_aa we_aa
buy_aa impulsively,_aa and_aa they_aa capitalize_aa on_aa it._aa Because_aa many_aa
marketers_aa do_aa not_aa have_aa an_aa ethical_aa or_aa moral_aa obligation,_aa
they_aa do_aa not_aa consider_aa the_ broader_aa social_aa and_a environmental_aa
implications_aa of_aa their_aa product_aa has_aa on_aa our_aa society._aa And_aa
this_aa is_aa why_a it_aa is---_ crucial_aa to_aa be_aa a_aa critical_aa thinker,_aa
so_ we_ can_ be_ aware,_a zz_ analyze,_ and_ informed_ of _aa
how_aa products_aa will_aa affect_aa us,_aa good_aa or_ bad._aa I_aa do_aa
not_aa have_aa one_aa favorite_aa activity_aa or_aa concept_aa from_aa this_aa
class._aa I_aa believe_aa all_aa the_aa activities_aa and_aa concepts_aa were_aa
significant_aa and_aa beneficial_aa to_a my_aa learning_aa and_aa growth_aa as_aa
a_aa college_aa student._aa Though_aa I_ considered_aa myself_aa a_aa "good"_aa
critical_ thinker_ before_ this_ class,_ I_ feel_ this_ course _aa
challenged_aa me_a to_aa become_aa an_aa excellent_aa critical_aa thinker_aa and_aa
provided_aa me_aa with_ excellent_aa information_aa and_ resources._aa Learning_aa
the_aa mnemonic_aa device_aa CCRCS_aa was_aa the_aa best_aa tip_aa I_aa
gained._aa The_aa CCRCS_aa enables_aa me_aa to_aa have_aa a_ structured_aa
outline_aa for_aa analyzing_aa and_aa processing_aa data_aa and_aa developing_aa
and_aa forming_aa opinions_aa and_aa decisions._aa I_aa honestly_aa get_aa most_aa
of_a my_aa news_aa from_aa social_aa media._aa I_ anazlyze_ what_ I _aa
hear_aa or_aa read_aa by_aa looking_aa up_aa the_aa information_aa or_aa maybe_aa
even_aa from_aa news_aa stations._aa I_aa don’t_aa really_aa like_aa to_aa watch_aa
the_aa news_aa channels_aa anymore_ because_aa everything_a is_aa just_aa so_aa
negative_aa or_aa stories_aa are_aa misconstrued._aa When_aa I_aa do_aa find_aa
out_aa news_aa in_aa the_aa world_aa or_aa what’s_aa going_aa on_aa in_aa the_aa
world_aa it_aa is_aa from_aa social_aa media_aa but_aa I_aa look_aa more_aa
into_ it_ to_ make_ sure_ it_ is_ legit_ or_ correct _aa
information._ One_ way_ that _aa is _aa very_ common_ to_ get _aa
involved_aa in_aa the_aa governmental_ process_aa is_aa by_aa voting_aa which_aa
I_aa have_aa been_aa doing_aa ever_aa since_aa I_aa was_aa able_aa to_aa do_aa
so!_ I_ apply_a critical_a thinking_ when_a being_ involved_ in _aa
that_aa process_aa by_aa just_aa thinking_a my_aa information_aa through._aa An_aa
example_aa of_aa a_aa fallacy_aa that_aa I_aa have_aa seen_aa being_ used_aa
for_aa marketing_aa purposes,_aa commercials,_aa or_aa advertisement_aa is_aa
manipulation._ In_ that_ case_ people_ are_ manipulated_ into _aa
believing_a something_aa and_aa trying_a to_a take_a away_ from_ the _aa
important_aa information._aa I_aa enjoyed_aa learning_aa about_aa everything_aa in_a
this_aa class._ All_aa the_aa information_a obtained_ has_aa been_ very _aa
useful_ even _aa in _aa my _aa every _aa day_ life._ One_ of _aa my _aa
main_aa sources_ for_ news_ is,_ "Drudge_aa report."_a It_aa is_ a _aa
website_aa that_aa is_ updated_aa every_aa day_aa and_ links_aa to_aa other_aa
headlines_aa and_aa articles_aa for_aa world_aa news._aa This_aa site_aa does_aa
not_aa have_aa all_aa of_aa the_aa world's_aa articles_aa or_aa an_ archive_aa
to_a review_ the_a previous_ day's_ headlines_aa so_aa sometimes_aa I _aa
have_aa to_aa use_aa other_aa sources._aa When_aa looking_aa at_aa stories_aa
for_ a_ certain_ event _aa that _ happened, _ I _ look _ at _ the _aa
headline_aa articles_aa because_aa not_aa all_aa of_aa the_aa other_aa news_aa
sites_aa are_aa the_aa same._aa Some_aa sites_aa will_ display_a their_aa Ideas_aa
and_aa belief_aa in_aa the_aa headline_aa alone._aa most_aa times_aa I_aa do_aa
have_aa to_aa read_aa multiple_aa articles_aa to_aa try_aa and_aa understand_aa
the_aa full_aa story_aa while_aa trying_aa to_aa strain_aa the_aa emotion_aa that_aa
is_aa added_aa by_aa the_aa authors._aa the_aa same_aa can_aa be_aa said_aa
when_aa looking_aa at_ your_aa involvement_aa with_aa the_aa government_aa
process,_aa it_aa is_aa important_aa to_aa analyze_aa parties_aa and_aa find_aa
out_aa what_aa their_aa intentions_aa are._aa so_aa you_aa may_aa take_aa part_aa
in_aa voting_ for_aa people,_aa bills,_aa and_aa other_aa props_aa that_aa may_aa
affect_aa the_aa future_aa of_aa the_aa country._aa Advertisements_aa are_aa used_a
by_aa many_aa people_aa for_aa products_aa and_aa companies._aa the_aa point_aa
of_aa it_aa is_aa to_aa make_aa a_aa product_aa seen_aa more,_aa many_aa of_aa
the_aa advertisements_aa we_aa see_aa today_aa all_aa share_aa one_aa thing,_aa
fallacies._aa One_aa of_aa the_aa most_aa common_aa fallacies_aa that_aa I_aa
have_aa seen_aa in_aa ads_aa is_aa the_aa Appeal_aa to_aa emotion_aa fallacy._aa
a_aa lot_aa of_aa these_aa advertisements_aa try_aa to_aa make_aa you_aa feel_aa
bad_aa or_aa sad_aa about_aa not_aa purchasing_aa a_aa product_aa or_aa try_aa
to_ add_ a_ story_ about_ how_ a_ product_ saved_ their _aa
life,_aa this_aa fallacy_aa mostly_aa appears_aa in_aa ads_aa for_aa medical_aa
products,_aa charities,_aa and_aa schools._aa while_aa these_aa fallacies_aa can_aa
result_aa in_ purchases_aa it_aa is_aa ultimately_aa up_aa to_aa the_aa consumer_aa
to_aa purchase_aa products,_aa but_aa there_aa are_aa a_aa lot_ of_aa strategies_aa
that_aa are_aa used_aa to_aa coax_aa a_aa consumer_aa into_aa impulse_aa
purchases._aa I_aa already_aa consider_aa myself_ a_aa mindful_aa consumer,_aa
I_aa usually_aa put_aa myself_aa on_aa a_aa weekly_aa budget_aa and_aa if_aa
I_aa exceed_a that _aa budget _aa then_a I _aa don't_ allow_a myself _aa to _aa
make_aa any_a more_aa purchases._aa One_aa thing_aa I_aa could_aa do_a is_aa
ask_aa myself_aa if_aa this_aa product_aa has_aa any_aa use_aa to_aa me,_aa
many_aa of_aa the_aa products_aa I_ do_ purchase_aa are_aa temporary_aa self-
indulgences_aa like_aa fast_aa food._aa one_aa thing_aa that_aa confuses_aa me,_aa
as_aa it_aa always_aa has,_aa is_aa the_aa whole_aa political_aa process,_aa why_aa
do_aa the_aa people_aa not_aa get_aa a_aa say_aa in_aa the_aa people_aa that_aa
will_aa run_aa for_ president_aa or_aa for_ a_aa legislature._aa even_aa though_
we_aa are_aa not_aa a_aa direct_aa democracy_aa but_aa a_aa representative_aa
democracy,_aa why_aa can_aa the_aa people_aa have_aa a_aa say_aa in_aa who_aa
to_ elect_ aside_ from_ the_ president_ or_ the_ governor? _aa
When_aa it_aa comes_aa to_aa receiving_aa news,_aa I_aa normally_ gets_aa
most_aa of_aa my_aa news_aa from_aa news_aa channels,_aa facebook,_aa and_aa
world_aa news_aa apps._aa One_aa way_aa I_aa analyze_aa what_aa I_aa hear,_aa
read,_aa and_aa view_aa is_aa by_aa viewing_aa different_aa sources_aa to_ see_
if_aa they_aa all_aa are_aa giving _aa the _aa same _aa information. _aa I_ then _
take_aa bits_aa and_aa pieces_aa from_aa each_aa source_aa that_aa one_aa source_aa
might_aa not_a report_aa and_aa put_aa it_aa together.
As_aa a_aa citizen_aa one_aa way_aa to_aa get_aa involved_aa in_aa the_aa
government_aa process_aa is_ to_aa vote._aa Learn_aa what_aa each_aa candidate_aa
has_ to_ offer_ the_ people_ and_ ways_ it_ can_ benefit _aa
us_ as_ a_ whole._ When_ applying _aa critical_ thinking,_aa you_aa
have_aa to_ think_a about _ the _aa future _aa and _aa what _aa good _aa and _aa
bad_aa could_aa happen_aa when_aa picking_aa the_aa right_aa person_aa to_aa
vote_aa for._aa Voting_aa and_aa picking_aa the_aa wrong_aa person_aa could_a
cause_aa a_aa lot_a changes_aa that_aa could_ effect_aa a _aa person_aa life _aa
in_aa a_aa major_aa way._aa one_aa way_a to_aa ensure_aa you_ help_aa the_aa
right_aa person_ to_aa win_aa is_aa by_ getting_aa out_aa and_aa campaigning_aa
and_aa letting_a other_aa know_ the_aa importance_aa of_aa voting.
An_ example_ of_ fallacy_ is _aa hair_ companies _aa that_ sale _aa
hair_ extensions_ at_ beauty_ supply_ stores._ Different_ beauty _aa
store_a uses_a different_ types_ of_ commercials_ to_ help_ with _aa
advertisements_aa and_aa sales_aa of_aa their_aa hair_aa products._aa The_
advertisement_aa of_aa the_aa products_aa help_aa people_aa to_aa see_aa different_aa
types_aa of_ hair_aa extensions_ that_a customers_aa might_a want_ to _aa
buy._aa I_aa use_aa to_aa think_aa that_aa all_aa beauty_aa stores_aa sold_aa a_aa
nice_aa bundles_aa of_a hair_aa until_aa I_aa started_aa buying_aa it_aa and_aa
it_a wasn't_aa actually_ nice_aa hair._aa It_aa was_aa totally_ a_aa waste _aa
of_aa money_aa but_aa the_aa commercials_aa and_aa advertisement_aa made_aa
me_aa want_aa to_aa start_aa buying_aa their_aa items.
If_aa someone_aa was_aa to_aa ask_a what_aa was_aa my_aa favorite_aa activity_
in_ the_ class_ I_ would_ have_ to_ say_ the_ arguments _aa
activities._aa I_aa really_aa enjoyed_ this_aa activity_aa because_aa it_aa help_aa
to_ understand_ different_ types_ of_ ways_ to_ conduct_ an _aa
argument._aa And_aa the_aa importance_aa of_aa getting_ your_aa point_aa across_aa
without_aa defending_aa another_aa person._aa The_aa activity_aa I_aa would_aa
say_aa was_ the _aa hardest_ would _aa be _ reason, _ emotions, _ and _aa
communication._a I_a choose_aa this_a one_aa because_aa I_a was_aa kind _aa
of_ hard_ trying_ to_ understand_ different_ emotions,_ reasons, _aa
and_aa ways_aa to_aa communicate._aa With_aa this_aa activity_aa you_a have_aa
to_aa put_aa in_aa a_aa lot_aa of_aa time_aa to_aa understand_aa what_aa it_aa
is_aa that_a the_aa assignment_aa is_aa asking._aa It's_aa hard_aa to_ believe_aa
that_aa we_aa are_aa closing_aa in_aa on_aa the_aa last_aa week_aa of_aa this_aa
course_aa especially_aa because_aa I_aa have_aa so_aa much_aa more_aa to_aa
learn._aa Applying_aa as_a many_aa of_aa the_a critical_aa thinking_aa skills _aa
as_aa I_aa can_aa each_aa day_aa is_aa definitely_aa something_aa I_aa am_aa
taking_aa with_ me._aa As_aa far_aa as_aa where_aa I_aa get_aa the_ news_aa
from_aa I_aa like_a to _aa read _aa the _aa news _aa online; _aa whether _aa that _aa
is_aa from_aa Fox_aa News,_aa CNN,_aa Wall_aa Street_aa Journal,_aa or_aa
other_aa news_aa outlets._aa It's_aa easier_aa for_aa me_aa to_aa digest_aa and_aa
analyze_aa what_aa I_aa am_aa reading_aa instead_aa of_aa watching_aa the_aa
news_aa on_aa the_aa television_aa as_aa I_aa am_aa not_aa really_aa into_aa
television_aa or_aa even_aa close_aa to_aa being_aa a_aa "tv_aa junkie."_aa Being_aa
able_aa to_aa read_aa and_aa understand_aa my_aa own_aa interpretation_aa of_aa
the_aa news_ seems_aa to_aa help_aa me_aa more.
Getting_aa involved_aa as_a a_aa citizen_aa is_aa a_ weakness_aa that_aa I _aa
plan_aa to_aa work_aa on_aa moving_ forward_aa in_aa life._aa Really_aa the_aa
only_aa way_aa that_aa I_aa have_ been_aa involved _aa is _aa by_a voting; _aa
which_aa is_aa me_aa just_aa doing_aa my_aa part_aa instead_aa of_aa really_aa
getting_aa actively_aa involved_aa with_aa other_aa issues_aa or_ policies._aa
Going_ into_ the_ future_ I_ will_ plan_ more_ to_ get _aa
involved_aa and_aa to_aa help_aa push_a through_aa the_ things_aa I_aa believe_a
in.
When_aa it_a comes_aa to_aa fallacies_aa and_aa advertisements,_aa I_aa remember_aa
when_aa I_aa used_aa to_aa believe_aa that_aa almost_aa every_aa cosmetic_aa
products_aa were_aa going_aa to_aa make_aa me_aa look_aa like_aa the_a actress_aa
on_aa the_aa commercial._aa That_aa all_aa the_aa shampoo_aa and_aa hair_aa
products_aa would_aa make_aa my_aa hair_aa amazing_aa and_aa that_aa moisturizes_aa
would_aa make_aa my_ skin_aa flawless_aa and_aa I_aa was_aa naive_aa enough_aa
to_aa believe_a the_aa more_aa expenses_aa they_aa were_aa the_aa more_aa it_aa
meant_aa they_aa would_aa work._aa Ha!_aa Silly_aa goose!_aa Definitely_aa
finding_aa clarity,_aa understanding_aa fallacies,_aa and_ doing_aa research_aa
helped_aa me_ get_aa out_aa of_aa this_aa mindset.
My_aa favorite_aa activity_aa from_aa this_aa class_aa so_ far_aa has_aa been_aa
the_a discussions_aa around_aa the_ lessons_ we_aa are_aa all_aa working _aa
on._aa There_aa isn't_aa much_aa better_aa learning_aa about_aa being_aa a_aa
critical_aa thinker_aa than_aa getting_aa to_aa read_aa and_aa hear_aa others_aa
perspectives._aa Being_aa able_aa to_aa take_aa what_aa others_aa say_aa or_aa
how_aa they_aa view_aa things,_aa really_aa engaging_aa and_aa communicating_aa
can_aa help_aa all_aa of_aa be_aa better_aa critical_aa thinkers.
There_aa aren_ a_aa couple_a of_aa areas_aa that_aa I_aa need_a to_aa work_aa
on_aa going_aa forward_aa and_aa that_aa is_aa the_aa clarity_aa and_aa not_aa
just_aa assuming_aa I_aa know_aa what_aa the_aa other_aa person_ is_aa asking_
but_aa to _aa really _aa dig _aa deep, _aa ask _aa the _aa right _aa questions _aa and _aa
then_aa make_aa sound_aa decisions._aa The_aa other_aa piece_aa to_aa that_aa
for_ me_ is_ to_ take_ my_ time_ and_ really_ analyze_aa
what_aa is_aa being_aa discussed,_aa breaking_aa the_aa conversation_aa down_aa
and_aa using_aa reasoning!_aa That_aa is_aa definitely_a something_ I_aa need_aa
to_aa practice_aa daily_aa so_aa that_aa I_aa can_aa be_aa a_ better_aa critical_aa
thinker;_aa otherwise_aa I_aa just_aa end_aa up_aa in_aa an_aa argument_aa and_
emotional._ In_ this_ day_ in_ age_ I_ get_ a_ lot_ of _aa
my_aa new_aa from_aa social_aa media._aa I_aa used_aa to_aa watch_aa a_aa lot_
of_a news_aa but_ with_a everything_aa going_aa on_aa this_ year_ it _aa
was_aa a_ bit_aa depressing,_ so_aa I_ stepped_aa away_a from_a the _aa
tv._ None_ the_ less, _aa social_ media _aa may_ not _aa be _aa the _aa
best_aa alternative._aa Twitter_aa is_aa a_aa big_aa news_aa outlet_aa and_aa
whether_a or_a not_ the_ information_ is_aa correct,_aa a_aa lot_aa of _aa
government_aa officials_aa use_aa this_aa platform_aa to_aa reach_aa their_aa
audience._aa When_aa I_aa see_aa and_aa hear_aa certain_aa things_aa I_aa take_aa
them_aa with_aa a_aa grain_aa of_aa salt_aa at_aa first,_aa considering_ where_aa
I_aa got_aa the_aa news_aa from._aa Most_aa of_aa the_aa time_aa I_aa do_aa
further_aa research_aa but_aa there_aa has_aa definitely_aa been_aa information_aa
that_aa was_aa misunderstood_aa or_ incorrect.
The_aa election_aa of_aa 2020_aa is_aa probably_aa the_aa first_aa way_aa I_aa
have_aa been_aa involved_aa in_aa the_aa governmental_aa process._ With_aa it_aa
being_aa one_aa of_ the_a most_aa popular_aa elections_aa in_aa history_aa I_aa
wanted_aa to_aa make_aa sure_aa I_aa was_aa confident_aa with_aa my_aa vote._aa
I_aa applied_aa a_aa lot_aa of_aa critical_aa thinking_aa during_aa the_ whole_aa
process._aa After_aa evaluating_aa my_aa morals,_aa personal_aa financial_aa
situation_aa and_aa possible_aa outcomes_aa for_aa my_aa future_aa I_aa was_aa
able_aa to_ make_aa a_aa decision.
An_aa example_aa of_aa a_aa fallacy_aa I've_aa seen_aa used_aa in_a a_aa
commercial_aa advertisement_aa is_aa fallacy_aa of_aa accent._aa In_aa the_aa
Snickers_aa commercials_aa the_aa famous_aa saying_aa is_aa "You're_aa not_aa
you_aa when_aa you're_aa hungry,_aa eat_aa a_aa snickers"_aa For_aa some,_aa
being_a hungry_ puts_aa you_a in_aa a_aa bad_aa mood, _aa this_ brand _aa
claims_aa that_aa if_aa you're_ "hangry"_aa a_aa snickers_aa will_aa get_aa you_aa
back_ to_a normal._ One_ thing_ I_ will_ do_ to_ become _a
a_aa more_aa mindful_aa consumer_ is _aa research._ Before_aa purchasing_aa
from_aa a_aa new_aa brand,_aa I_aa want_aa to_aa know_aa where_aa the_aa
products_aa are_aa made,_aa the_aa brands_aa morals_aa and_aa the_aa research_aa
that_aa they_a have_aa done.
My_aa favorite_aa thing_aa from_aa this_aa course_aa was_aa week_aa 2_aa which_aa
was_aa also_aa the_aa most_a difficult_aa part_aa of_aa this_aa course._aa The_aa
reason_aa for_aa this_aa is_aa because_aa I'm_aa so_aa glad_aa this_aa course_aa
taught_aa me_aa how_aa to_aa use_aa reason_aa and_aa emotion_aa when_aa it_aa
comes_aa to_aa critical_aa thinking._aa The_aa hard_aa part_aa about_aa this_aa
is_aa implementing_aa it_aa into_aa my_aa everyday_aa life._aa From_aa not_aa
conforming_aa to_aa what_aa everyone_aa else_aa does_ to_aa controlling_aa my_aa
anger_a and_ blame_ when_ I_ become_ stressed._ Unfortunately _aa
I_aa get_aa my_aa news_aa like_aa most_aa people_aa by_a getting_aa alerts_a
on_aa my_aa phone._aa This_aa is_aa very_ convenient_aa but_aa also_aa not_aa
always_aa seeing_aa the_aa right_aa story._a I_aa will_aa get_aa either_aa CNN,_aa
USAtoday,_aa or_aa TIME._aa These_aa are_aa all_aa quality_aa sources_aa but_aa
also_aa will_ have _ there _aa own _aa spin _ on _ the _aa stories, _aa so _aa
it_aa is_aa tough_aa to_ believe_aa which_aa is_aa the_a "right"_aa news.
Getting_aa involved_aa in_aa government_aa for_aa the_aa average_aa person_aa
isn't_aa the_aa easiest_aa thing_aa to_aa do._aa I_aa would_aa recommend_aa
starting_aa with_aa your_aa local_aa government,_aa this_aa will_aa give_aa you_aa
a_aa better_aa idea_aa of_aa how_aa the_aa "average"_aa citizen_aa can_aa start_aa
to_aa make_aa a_aa difference._aa This_aa way_aa will_aa help_aa you_aa start_aa
to_aa see_aa the_aa process_aa of_aa local_aa government_aa and_aa can_aa see_aa
the_ process_ on_ a_ smaller_ scale._ As_ for_ trying_ to _aa
be_aa a_aa part_aa of_aa "big"_aa government_aa isn't_aa as_aa easy._aa This_aa
would_aa take_aa some_aa time_aa to_aa get_aa into_aa and_aa leave_aa your_aa
make._aa I_aa am_aa not_ saying_a it_ can't_aa be_ done,_ but_aa rather_
that_aa it_aa just_aa takes_aa time.
My_aa favorite_aa activity_aa in_aa these_aa last_aa five_ weeks_ has_a been_aa
doing_aa this_aa weekly_aa discussion._aa It_aa is_aa nice_aa to_aa see_aa what_aa
others_a opinions_ are_a on_ the_a same_aa topics_a we_a all_aa are _aa
writing_aa about._aa If_aa I_aa am_aa being_aa honest_aa I_aa still_aa get_aa
most_aa of_aa my_aa information_aa from_aa CNN_aa and_aa newspaper_aa articles,_aa
I_aa also_aa check_aa links_aa that_aa people_aa share_aa on_aa Facebook_aa
from_aa major_aa news_aa outlets_aa around_aa the_aa world,_aa Which_aa is_aa
pretty_aa cool._aa I_aa do_aa think_aa with_aa information_aa being_aa so_aa
easily_aa accessible_aa we_aa take_aa it_aa for_aa granted_aa at_aa times_aa and_aa
over_aa look_aa checking_aa for_aa validity._aa Before_aa this_aa class_aa I_aa
was_aa always_aa curious_aa but_a skeptical_aa about_a the_aa information_aa I_aa
saw._aa After_aa a_aa few_aa weeks_aa of_aa this_aa class_aa I_aa started_aa
becoming_aa more_aa of_aa a_aa fact_aa checker,_aa I_aa look_a at_ multiple_aa
sources_aa to_ confirm_ validity_ of_ information _aa I _aa see._ I_aa
make_aa sure_aa to_aa check_aa more_aa credible_aa domains_aa such_aa as_aa
.edu_aa and_aa .gov. _aa
As_aa a_aa citizen_aa I_aa tend_aa to_aa look_aa at_aa my_aa state_aa
representatives,_aa mayors_aa and_aa public_a officials_aa and_ research_aa their_aa
policies,_ ideas_ and_ character._ I_ have_ never_ been_ one _aa
to_aa vote_aa for_aa someone_aa simply_aa based_aa on_aa the_aa the_aa tribal_aa
system_aa of_aa republican_aa or_a democrat._aa I_ like_aa to_aa know_aa the_aa
individual_ and_ how_ they_ can_ help_ the_ majority_ over _aa
the_aa minority._aa I_aa take_aa a_aa very_aa logical_aa approach_aa to_aa this_aa
aspect_aa of_aa my_aa life_aa and_aa tend_aa to_aa block_aa out_aa the_aa noise_aa
of_ the_ media_ who_ favors_ one_ or_ the_ other.Beats _aa
Headphones_aa tend_aa to_aa use_aa a_aa false_aa authority_aa fallacy_aa when_aa
advertising_aa their_aa products._aa They_aa pay_aa famous_aa musicians_aa and_aa
athletes_aa millions_aa of_aa dollars_aa to_aa endorse_aa their_aa product._aa In_
my_aa opinion_aa their_aa are_aa dozens_aa of_aa far_ superior_aa headphones_aa
on_aa the_aa market_aa that_aa are_aa less_aa expensive._aa Beats_aa are_aa still_aa
thriving_aa though_aa because_aa of_aa the_aa success_aa of_aa the_aa fallacy_aa
they_aa are_aa using_aa through_aa marketing_aa techniques.Chapter_aa 10_aa was_aa
very_aa helpful_ in_aa not_aa being_a so_aa impulsive_aa as_aa a_ consumer._aa
I_aa will_aa be_aa more_aa mindful_aa of_aa marketing_aa strategies_aa and_aa
pick_aa up_aa prescriptions_aa at_aa the_aa drive-thru_aa window_aa as_aa well_aa
as_aa avoid_aa feeling_aa any_aa irrational_aa guilt._aa Making_aa lists_aa when_aa
shopping_aa also_aa helps_ me_a stay_aa focused._aa I_a honestly_aa think _aa
just_aa being_ educated_aa as_aa to_aa what_aa certain_aa retailers_aa intentions_aa
are_aa is_aa half_aa the_aa battle.My_aa favorite_aa concept_aa was_aa also_aa
the_aa most_aa in_aa depth_aa or_aa challenging_aa on_aa for_aa me._aa It_aa
was_aa exploring_aa how_aa to_aa identify_aa and_ make_aa a_aa valid_aa and_aa
sound_aa argument._aa There_aa were_aa so_aa many_aa different_aa working_aa
parts_aa and_aa ways_a to_aa get_aa to_aa a_aa valid_aa argument_aa and_aa so_
many_aa things_aa to_a look_aa out_aa for_aa when_aa identifying_aa a_aa faulty_aa
one._aa I_aa get_aa most_aa of_aa my_ news_ off_aa social_aa media,_aa I_aa
mean_aa they_aa do_aa know_aa before_aa the_aa real_aa news_aa reporters_aa
know_aa anything,_a I _aa analyze _aa in_aa my_ point _aa of _aa view _aa of _aa
the_aa situations._ I _aa don't_aa put_aa my_aa inputs_aa in_ because_aa it _aa
don't_aa be_aa my_aa business_aa to_a say_aa what_aa I_aa feel_aa or_aa think._aa
The_aa way_aa I_aa get_aa involve_ in_aa governmental_aa process_aa is_aa by_aa
voting_aa or_aa being_aa on_aa welfare,_aa getting_aa assistance_aa with_aa m_aa
kids._aa I_aa think_ about_aa my_aa situation_aa and_aa the_ next_aa person_aa
so_aa I_aa don't_aa act_aa before_aa I_aa think,_aa I_aa think_aa way_aa before_aa
I_aa act_aa on_aa any_aa situation,_aa that's_aa why_aa it_aa will_aa be_aa so_aa
hard_aa for_aa me_aa to_aa respond_aa or_aa engage_aa in_aa a_aa conversation_aa
on_aa pettiness_aa or_aa ignit_aa things._aa ,_aa I_aa learned_aa about_aa are_aa
Naturalistic_aa fallacy,_aa Inductive_aa argument,_aa Prescriptive_aa premises,_aa
Empirical_ facts,_ Analogical_ premises,_ Definitional_ premise, _aa
Explanation,_aa Conditional_aa statement,_aa Independent_aa premises.
If_ someone_ ask_ me_ my_ favorite_ activity_a or_ concepts _aa
about_aa this_aa class,_aa I_aa would_aa say_aa as_aa of_aa right_aa now_aa I_aa
don't_aa even_aa remember_aa too_aa much_ about_aa nothing_aa right_aa now,_aa
my_a christmas_aa break_ been_a the_a worst_aa ever,_aa starting_aa with _aa
the_aa passing_aa of_aa my_aa moms,_aa then_ not_aa being_aa able_aa to_aa
get_aa my_aa kids_ anything, _aa oh _aa lost_ my _aa job _aa first _aa but, _aa
don't_ mind_ me, _aa I'm_ here_ and_ bless _aa and _aa yea_ I _aa
really_aa learned_aa alot_aa of_aa this_aa class,_aa starting_aa from_aa fallacies,_aa
premises,_aa the_aa different_aa types_aa of_aa reasons_aa for_aa the_aa arguments,_aa
the_aa purpose_aa of_aa things._ I_aa volunteer_aa at_aa the_aa food_aa pantry_aa
in_aa my_aa local_aa community._aa I_aa analyze_aa the_aa number_ of_aa
families_aa that_aa will_aa receive_aa donations_aa that_aa day._aa I_aa then_aa
estimate_aa the_aa amount_aa of_aa people_aa it_aa will_aa take_aa to_aa shop_aa
all_aa the_a categories_aa and_aa bag_aa items_aa to_aa prepare_aa for_aa each_aa
family.I_aa am_aa fascinated_aa by_aa Ad_aa Hominem_aa Fallacy,_aa It_ is_aa
identified_aa in_aa many_ of_ the _aa presidential _aa advertisements. _aa I _aa
find_aa it_aa the_aa easiest_aa to_ identify. _aa Fallacies _aa have_ made _
me_aa aware_aa of_a the_aa marketing_aa schemes_aa that_aa consumers_aa need_aa
to_aa be_aa more_aa aware_aa of.I_aa enjoyed_aa reading_a about_ all_ the_a
fallacies_aa and_ how_aa they_aa connect_aa to_aa different_aa situations.
The_aa most_aa challenging_aa part_aa of_ this_aa class_aa was_ to_aa ensure_aa
that_aa when_aa you_a are_aa writing_aa that_aa you_aa site_ anything_aa that_aa
you_ reference._a I_ have_ to_ work_ on_ that._ Most_ of _aa
my_aa news_aa comes_aa from_aa the_aa internet_aa and_aa television._aa Sometimes_aa
i_ will_ catch_ the_ 5o_ clock_ news_a or_ skim_ through _aa
google_aa on_a daily_aa topics._a I_aa do_ not_aa really_a believe_aa most_aa
of_aa what_aa I_aa hear_aa because_aa I_aa know_aa that_aa biases_aa are_aa
being_aa used_aa and_aa also_aa fallacies._aa I_aa know_aa that_aa some_aa of_aa
the_aa information_aa is_aa credible_aa while_aa most_a of_aa it_aa is_ based_aa
on_aa opinions._aa The_aa best_aa ways_aa to_aa get_aa involved_aa into_aa the_aa
governmental_aa process_aa is_aa to_a vote._aa Voting_aa is_aa a_aa powerful _aa
way_aa to_aa express_aa your_aa views_aa but_aa even_aa that_aa I_aa am_aa
skeptical_aa of_aa because_aa I_aa do_aa not_aa believe_ anything_aa to_aa be_
totally_ up_ to_ the _aa decision_ of_ common_ citizens._ I _aa
personally_aa believe_aa that_aa a_aa small_a group_aa of_aa very_aa powerful_aa
people_aa control_aa everything_aa in_aa the_aa world,_aa except_aa our_aa own_aa
free_ will _aa that _aa is. _aa I_ guess _aa I_ am _aa a _aa conspiracy _aa
theorist?_aa The_aa most_aa common_aa fallacy_aa that_aa i_aa notice_aa basically_aa
everyday_aa is_aa the_aa fallacy_aa of_aa questionable_aa cause,_aa especially_aa
in_a the_a beauty_aa industry._aa Commercials_aa for_aa make_aa up_ will _aa
involve_aa actresses_aa who_aa appear_aa less_aa attractive_aa without_aa the_aa
product_aa and_ more_ attractive_ with_ it._ When_ in_ fact _aa
make_aa up_aa only_aa irritates_aa the_aa skin_aa and_aa causes_aa blemishes_aa
that_aa make_aa the_aa skin_aa rely_aa heavily_aa on_aa the_aa everyday_aa use_aa
of_aa it._aa I_aa do_aa not_aa use_aa make_aa up_aa heavily_aa but_aa to_aa
avoid_aa being_aa drawn_aa to_aa it_aa I_aa just_aa focus_aa on_aa self_aa love_aa
and_aa care._aa Dating_aa men_aa who_aa can_ appreciate_aa the_aa natural_aa
beauties_aa that_aa I_aa possess._aa To_aa wrap_aa up_aa my_aa response_aa I_aa
have_aa no_aa favorite_aa thing_aa about_aa this_aa weeks_aa activities._a They_aa
are_aa all_aa equally_ beneficial _aa to_ my_ intellectual_ and _aa
psychological_aa growth._aa I_aa get_aa most_aa of_aa my_aa news_aa from_aa
the_aa media_aa websites_aa themselves._aa I_aa don't_aa watch_aa the_aa news_aa
on_aa television_aa and_aa I_ don't_aa get_aa a_aa newspaper,_aa instead_a I_aa
either_aa go_aa to_a websites_aa such_aa as_aa abc57.com_aa or_aa the_aa local_aa
newspaper's_ website._ If_ I _aa come _aa across_ a_ story _aa that _aa
seems_aa incredible_aa or_aa that_aa I_aa feel_aa I_aa need_aa to_aa look_aa into_
a_aa bit_aa more,_aa then_aa I_aa usually_aa go_aa to_aa another_aa website_aa
for_aa another_aa local_ media_aa source_aa and_aa see_aa what_aa they_aa are_aa
saying_aa about_aa that_aa topic.
As_aa a_aa citizen,_aa I_aa do_aa not_aa get_aa involved_aa in_aa the_aa
government_aa process,_aa nor_ do_aa I_aa have_aa any_aa desire_aa to_aa get_aa
involved_aa in_aa any_aa of_aa that._a Long_aa ago,_aa I_aa came_aa to_aa the_aa
conclusion_a that_ no_aa matter_ who _ is _aa in _aa charge _a politically, _aa
no_aa matter_aa what_aa platform_aa they_aa are_aa running_aa on,_aa they_aa
don't_aa care_aa about_aa us_aa either_aa way._aa They_a only_aa care_aa about_
making_aa their_aa bank_aa accounts_aa larger,_aa so_aa I_aa avoid_ that_aa all_aa
together.
Fallacy_aa or_aa rhetoric_aa is_aa common_a in_aa advertising,_aa for_aa instance_aa
save_aa 15_aa percent_aa in_aa 15_aa minutes._aa It's_aa a_aa great_aa and_aa
effective_aa marketing_aa tool,_aa but_aa can_aa they_ honestly_aa say_aa that_aa
everyone_aa saves_aa 15_aa percent?_aa I_aa believe_aa that's_aa the_aa part_aa
that_aa makes_aa this_a statement_aa a_aa fallacy._aa Maybe_aa I'm_aa a_a born_aa
skeptic,_aa but_aa I_aa feel_aa that's_aa useful_aa when_aa it_aa comes_aa to_aa
critical_aa thinking_aa because_aa it_aa kind_aa of_aa forces_aa you_aa to_aa
research_aa and_aa look_aa for_ more_aa information.My_aa favorite_aa concept_aa
from_ this_ class_ was_ all_ the_ barriers_ that_ exist_ in_aa
people's_aa minds_aa that_aa you_aa have_aa to_aa be_aa able_aa to_aa get_aa
past_aa and_aa be_aa aware_aa of_aa when_aa presenting_aa arguments._aa Social_
media_aa platforms_aa like_aa instagram_aa and_aa twitter_aa are_ the_ primary_aa
source_ for_ where_ I_ receive _aa information _ about _ the _aa
news/current_aa events._aa It_aa is_ the_aa easiest_aa way_aa for_aa me_ to_aa
access_aa it,_aa however_aa this_aa can_aa sometimes_aa cloud_aa my_ judgement_aa
about_aa the_aa topics_aa being_aa discussed._aa A_aa lot_aa of_aa bias_aa is_aa
presented_aa on_aa social_aa media._aa Because_aa of_aa the_aa bias,_aa I_aa
have_aa to_aa apply_aa my_aa critical_aa thinking_a skills _aa to _aa see_ if _aa
the_aa source_aa is_a credible _ and _aa providing _aa a _a valid _aa argument. _aa
I_aa am_aa not_aa as_aa involved_aa in_aa government_aa processes_aa as_aa I_aa
should_ be._ I_ think_ that_ the_ best_ way_ to_ get _aa
involved_aa is_aa to_aa stay_aa informed._aa Keeping_aa up_aa with_aa the_aa
news_aa and_aa current_aa events_aa is_aa a_aa great_aa way_a to_aa stay_aa
active_aa and_aa engaged_aa with_aa what_aa is_aa going_aa on_ within_aa the_aa
government._ Critical_ thinking_ is_ also_ very_ important_ in _aa
this_aa process._aa Understanding_aa what_aa is_a credible_aa and_aa what_aa is_aa
not_ plays_ an_ essential_ part_ as_ a_ citizen.Relative_ to _aa
politics,_ I_ have_ seen_ a_ fair_ amount_ of_ hasty _aa
generalization_aa advertisements_aa and_ comments_aa from_aa our_aa president,_aa
Donald_aa Trump._aa One_aa instance_aa specifically_aa is_aa how_aa he_aa casts_aa
all_aa immigrants_aa as_aa criminals._aa This_aa cannot_aa be_aa said_aa about_aa
all_aa immigrants._aa Critical_aa thinking_aa is_aa extremely_aa important,_aa and_aa
it_aa is_aa easy_aa for_aa people_aa to_aa believe_aa this_aa because_aa of_aa
Donald_aa Trump's_aa power_aa he_ holds._aa My_aa favorite_aa thing_aa that_
I_aa have_aa learned_aa from_aa this_aa class_aa would_aa have_aa to_a be_
the_aa fallacies._aa I_aa think_aa that_aa identifying_aa fallacies_aa and_aa being_aa
able_aa to_aa determine_aa the_aa credibility_aa of_aa a_aa source_aa is_aa
extremely_aa important_aa in_aa critical_aa thinking_aa and_a everyday_aa life.
