Critical Thinking Evaluation Rubric —Middle School

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Clarity Innovations

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Evaluating Resources	When I find new information, I ask questions about its purpose, the expertise of the author or speaker, the date of the information, and the quality of the conclusions.	When I find new information, I ask questions about its credibility.	When I am reminded, I ask questions about the credibility of new information.	I rarely ask questions about the credibility of information unless I do not agree with it.
Identifying Bias	I use inferences and a thorough understanding of persuasive techniques, such as, incomplete information, faulty generalizations, and appeals to emotion, to detect bias in an informational source and to make judgments about the credibility of a source.	I use inferences and understanding of persuasive techniques to detect bias and make judgments about a source’s credibility.	With help, I can sometimes detect bias and make judgments about a source’s credibility.	I usually cannot detect bias in an informational source.
Analyzing Persuasive Arguments,	When someone tries to get me to do or believe something, I can tell the difference between arguments that show sound thinking and arguments that use faulty reasoning strategies, such as hasty generalizations, false dilemmas, and appeals to authority.	When someone tries to get me to do or believe something, I can usually tell which ideas show good reasoning.	Someone has to remind me to think about the reasons that others might use to try to get me to do or believe something.	I hardly ever wonder if people have good reasons when they try to get me to do or believe something.
Forming Opinions	I base my opinion on good evidence that I synthesized from many credible sources. I show that I understand the complexity of issues by investigating and synthesizing information from different viewpoints.	My opinion is based on credible evidence. My opinion addresses more than one viewpoint.	The evidence I use to support my opinion is often not very credible. I form opinions in limited and narrow ways.	I usually use unreliable information to support my opinion. My opinion reflects only one point of view.
Communicating	I clearly state an opinion and support it with several good reasons from reliable sources. When I explain my opinion, I show that I have a deep understanding of the issue and understand its complexity.	I state an opinion and support it with reasons from reliable sources. When I explain my opinion, I show that I understand the issue and some points of view on the subject.	My opinion is vague and confusing. When I explain my opinion, I often describe the issue as simpler than it really is.	I usually do not state an opinion, and when I do, I do not have very good reasons for it. When I explain my opinion, I show that I have very little understanding of the issue.