Rationale is potentially a powerful tool, but it can be used well - or poorly and sloppily. How can you tell the difference?
Rationale is part of a complete methodology designed to help users develop clear, solid reasoning. This methodology includes a variety of rules that are explained and practiced in the e books, tutorials, and teacher materials.
Inspired by the work of Douglas Walton, we developed a set of “Critical Questions” you should ask yourself when evaluating the quality of your own reasoning or that of others. In our case, these Critical Questions are organized around different types of maps.
When you, as a user, apply these questions systematically, your maps will improve significantly. And as a teacher, these questions give you clear criteria for assessing and grading your students’ work.
In our new Rationale Documentation Center we have added these Critical Question maps and PDFs to the e-books and tutorials, in multiple languages. They are all based on the principles and rules from our methodology.
You can find them in the Tutorial Critical Thinking and in the e-book in English, Spanish and Dutch. The English versions in the e‑book can be found here:
Critical Questions for Grouping Maps , and has PDF
Critical Questions for Basis Boxes, PDF
Critical Questions for Reasoning Maps, PDF
Critical Questions for Analysis Maps, PDF
Enjoy!
The Rationale Team
