Competency in Critical Thinking

I think that this competency is a close second to the communication competency in terms of importance and relevance. Being able to think critically about ideas or theories is crucial in making informed decisions. One of the most important aspects of this competency is the idea of interpretation. I have learned through my many communication classes that there are three parts involved in communication, which are known as the three P's: partisan, problematic, and partial. I use the perspective of the three Ps to break down, evaluate and interpret what a speaker or writer is saying. Some of the skills related to this competency that I have learned are as follows:

• Evaluation- Having to evaluate my peers and give feedback about their ability to communicate effectively.
• Interpretation - Learning how to correctly interpret what other people mean or are trying to get across.
• Applying ideas and information - Applying what I have learned within the classroom to life outside the classroom.