Critical Thinking and Language

Critical Thinking and Language

Part 1:

A metaphor is a "figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them" (California Reading, n.d., pg. 1). The following are examples of metaphors towards my son, Louis.

1. My sons mind works as a sponge.

2. He grows like a weed.

3. The love and trust we share is like a rainbow that never ends.

4. The energy he has is like an ongoing storm.

5.

Part 2:

Language and the diversity of language play a major role in the critical thinking process

because language is what forms our mind. Language is "the software of out minds, without which most of out thinking would not be possible" (Kirby, G., & Goodpaster, J., 1999, pg. 94). Allowing language into our brain, allows the mind to think. Language can also channel our perceptions, "causing us to see things differently because of our language. As we become more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of language, and as we increase and refine our own language, we will think better" (Kirby, G., et. al., 1999, pg. 78).

Without any type of language, the individual would not be able to think at all. Various diverse languages allow individuals to communicate and think based on their specific needs. For example, a deaf person uses sign language to think and communicate, as a blind person uses brail. Language diversity is also due to our country's many different cultures and immigrants.

The more we allow language into our vocabulary, the more language will influence our thoughts. For example, as a child, our thought process is very limited due to our lack of language. As we grow, as does our intake of knowledge and language. By the time we reach adulthood, our thought process has changed dramatically because we take in language and expand the way we are able to think.

Persuasion is "the type of speaking or writing that is intended to make its audience adopt a certain opinion or pursue an action or both" (Literary Terms, 1998, pg. 1). Persuasion is important to critical

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