Welcome to Module 3

In Module 2, you learned how to chart a text, a critical reading strategy that will help you in English 124, as well as in other college-level courses. In addition, you reviewed how to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources. Finally, you studied Perspectivism and encountered different perspectives on the meaning of "truth" in a variety of sources. The quiz at the end of the module challenged you to think deeply about the various sources you studied.

We will continue developing your critical reasoning skills in Module 3, where you will be formally introduced to critical thinking, argument, and deductive and inductive reasoning. After studying short videos and a slide show, you will take a 25 question quiz, which requires you to both define and apply these terms. Finally, you will write your own, Tompkins-style essay, which will require you to go on an epistemological journey just as she did. It is my hope that you will find the module informative and enlightening--dang, maybe even fun...

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. define and practice critical thinking;

2. define and employ the basic components of an argument;

3. define and identify deduction and induction, and put to use inductive reasoning in your own argument.

4. illustrate the purpose and value of critical thinking;

5. construct an original, nuanced argument that synthesizes sources representing multiple perspectives.