CLD 121 Journal Entry 7 - CLRP Asking Questions, Framing Arguments
To understand the argument you are critically deconstructing, you must ask questions. Arguments are being pitched to us constantly. For example, universities present significant arguments to prospective students explaining why they should attend their institution. It would be easy to accept the arguments for each school at face value. However since I was paying potentially forty thousand for my tuition, books and living expenses, it was crucial to ask questions. Sometimes answers are difficult to get, but persistence in this department pays off. Having been formally trained in broadcasting and journalism, asking questions is what I do best. This helps clarify the issue and its main objectives. Asking questions cuts through layers of assumptions and incorrect information and is essential to get to the hard evidence and premises that prove the evidence. This is how I came to the balanced decision to attend the Early Childhood Education program at Ryerson as opposed to an English program at Guelph University. It was a difficult decision because I knew I wanted to teach, but I didn't know the pro's and con's of each school and their program. After interviewing the department heads, OSAP officials, recent graduates, professors, admission professionals, and my parents, the next step was to analyze the information. After framing arguments for each program, I came to a decision and am happy with it. By skipping this crucial step of asking questions, a person can make decisions based on incorrect information or someone else's opinion. This is a useful tool when reading a newspaper or online news forum. When news of the carrot juice/botulism hit the stands some people decided to steer clear of the carrot juice brands, and a small precentage of people decided they didn't really care and their argument was that the stores are still selling the product so it can't be that serious. Immediately when a product is recalled because of a certain defect, it's human nature to be scared and make sure that product is not in your home. However it's also important to research and question these claims, and research the disease in question. I went on the Internet and researched botulism, and read that people were dying from drinking this juice. I was appalled, and wondered what other products could be affected? On the topic of food, asking questions and framing arguments is important to our overall nutrition. There are so many fad diets, and false advertising about vitamins and health drinks out there. It's important to think critically about eating. Even health food stores could be making mistakes. For example that vitamin you are taking daily could be too potent a dosage and in turn is worse for your health than not taking it at all! A critical thinking lapse that I had earlier this week, was using a brand new pasta pot without washing it first. It occured to me I should have washed it, while the pasta was boiling, but then it was too late. I am in good health currently, no sniffles or sickness, but in the future I will wash new pots and pans before use!
Asking questions and framing arguments are vital for our understanding of topics and premises being provided. It's easy to implement into one's life if one gets in the habit of asking questions. Not only will it prove to uncover information or ideas you have never originally considered, but it gets to the core of the issues. This is what critical thinkers strive for, clarity through questioning.
Word count: 525
Asking questions and framing arguments are vital for our understanding of topics and premises being provided. It's easy to implement into one's life if one gets in the habit of asking questions. Not only will it prove to uncover information or ideas you have never originally considered, but it gets to the core of the issues. This is what critical thinkers strive for, clarity through questioning.
Word count: 525