English 111 Workshop: Home

• Critical Thinking : 
  • See below
• Evaluation : 
  • The action of evaluating or determining the value of (a mathematical expression, a physical quantity, etc.), or of estimating the force of (probabilities, evidence, etc.). (Source: OED)
• Authority: The fact or state of possessing credible information; power to inspire belief in the truth of something; right to be believed; testimony, evidence.  A person whose opinion or testimony is accepted as true; the author of an accepted opinion or statement; a person with extensive or specialized knowledge on (also upon) a particular subject; an expert. (Source: OED)
• Expert : One whose special knowledge or skill causes him to be regarded as an authority; a specialist.  (Source: OED)
• Expertise : The quality or state of being expert; skill or expertness in a particular branch of study or sport. (Source: OED)

Try these sources:

• The Critical Thinking Community
• Oxford English Dictionary

Definition:

A well cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and
  precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to
  interpret it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, 
  recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

 Source: Critical Thinking Community