Critical Thinking
Part A
For this week’s discussion board we will focus on the skill of analysis. First, in your own words, explain why analysis is the most basic or fundamental skill of strategic thinking. Then, find a work of art online and save it to your post either as an attachment or by pasting it directly into your post. Let me know if you do not know how to do this. Next I want you to do a component analysis, an outline analysis, and a focal plane analysis of the artwork. I also want you to explain what you think the artwork is about (what is it trying to say) or what is important about it using your focal plane analysis. Here are some instructions on how to do this, or see my post for an example. Analysis-With-Art-revised-January2018.pdf
References
Attached
Part B
Practical Exercise 1
Introduction
Analysis is the most basic skill of strategic thinking and one that we use all the time without even realizing it. For this assignment you will apply the skill by analyzing a short news article or news editorial.
The Assignment
Do #3 from exercise 4.3 on page 62 of your textbook. ( I don’t have the textbooks, so find whatever you can find on this topic.
· Perform a focal plane analysis to the article answering the following questions (in addition to the questions from exercise 4.3):
· How is the conclusion of the piece supported with sufficient arguments or factual evidence?
· Use concrete examples from the article (quotes) to evaluate its quality.
· What are the implications of the ideas of the author?
· Reflect on what could be the consequences of the ideas presented by the author. Evaluate the author’s perspective using sufficient supporting evidence. (what are the consequences if the author is correct in their statements?)
· What do you think are the author’s influences?
· Reflect on what lines of thought, contexts, or assumptions can influence the ideas presented in the editorial. (how objective or biased is the author and why?
· Finally, include your opinion on the topic
· Consider the complexity of the issue and present your own arguments in support or contrast of the position of the author of the article. Reflect on what lines of thought, contexts, or assumptions can influence your own ideas.
For your news story (or, if you prefer, news editorial), you may use online news sources such as CNN.com, MSNBC.com or similar sites. Make sure you include the link to the story you use for this assignment so that I might see it too. Write your answers to the above as a short informal essay, apx. ¾ page in length, no less than 200 words using a size 12 font and double spacing. This assignment does not have to be in MLA format.
This assignment must be completed by the end of this week/module. See the module expectations for the due date.
Grading Criteria
See the attached rubric for more detailed grading criteria.
Resources
Textbook: Becoming a Strategic Thinker: Developing Skills for Success by W. James Potter.
The following news sites may be of use in this exercise:
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/ (link opens in new window)
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/ (link opens in new window)
Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/ (link opens in new window)
ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/ (link opens in new window)
NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/ (link opens in new window)
WRAL News: https://www.wral.com/ (link opens in new window)
ABC 11 News: https://abc11.com/ (link opens in new window)
Fayetteville Observer: https://www.fayobserver.com/
To Submit 1. Click on the title of this assignment.
2. New window will open. Scroll down to bottom of screen to the Assignment Submission area.
3. Click on the Browse My Computer button and browse to the location you have saved your work. Select the appropriate file and click on the Open button.
4. Click on the “ I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database” block.
5. Click on the Submit button at the bottom of page.
Your work has now been submitted.
Papers that are determined to be clear examples of plagiarism (to include use of AI) will receive a score of zero, (an ‘F’) and cannot be made up. Repeat offenses will result in possible administrative or disciplinary action.
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