• solving problems
• making informed decisions
• generating, organizing and evaluating ideas
• reasoning with concepts and abstract properties
• exploring issues from a variety of perspectives
• applying knowledge to different contexts and new circumstances
• evaluating the logic and validity of information
• developing evidence and arguments to support views
• carefully analyzing situations with questions
• discussing subjects in an organized way
• becoming aware of one's own thinking process in order to monitor and direct it

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking Instruction defined CT as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action."

Click here to read about thinking abilities or cognitive skills associated with critical thinking.