Chapter 1 Critical Thinking

Critical thinking in stories means thinking carefully about what we read. It’s a way of asking questions and looking deeper to understand the story fully. When we use critical thinking, we don’t just read the words; we think about the meaning behind them and the choices the author made. Here’s how critical thinking helps with stories:

1. Understanding Characters’ Actions – By thinking critically, we can ask ourselves why characters act a certain way. What motivates them? What are they feeling? This helps us understand the characters’ choices and personalities.

2. Making Predictions – Critical thinking allows us to make guesses about what might happen next. Based on what we know about the story so far, we can predict how problems might be solved or what new challenges might come up.

3. Seeing Different Points of View – Stories often show different perspectives. By thinking critically, we can understand each character’s side of the story. This helps us build empathy and see how people might think or feel differently about the same situation.

4. Identifying Themes – Critical thinking helps us find the big ideas or themes in a story. Themes are the important messages or lessons the story teaches. For example, a story about friendship might have themes of trust, loyalty, and understanding.

5. Evaluating the Story’s Message – We can also think about whether we agree with the message of the story. Does it match our values or experiences? What could we learn from it, and how does it connect to real life?

Using critical thinking while reading helps us connect with stories in a meaningful way. It makes reading more interesting and helps us learn from the stories we read.

Here are some questions that ask you to think critically.