Abstract Thinking
Here you will find techniques that will help you develop abstract thinking, an essential skill for any critical thinker who wants to learn to think outside of the box.
Objective:
To help participants develop abstract thinking.
Number of participants:
2 to 25
Age range:
12+
Duration:
60 minutes
How to conduct:
To show participants how to find the connection between a thesis and arguments in a written text, and to analyze the structure of argumentation: thesis, arguments, and illustrations.
Relations between concepts can be visualized using Venn diagrams. Below, you can see Venn diagrams for intersecting, disjoint, and nested concepts.
Divide participants into pairs or groups of three and suggest creating relationships between concepts, gradually increasing the complexity of tasks.
Divide participants into pairs or groups of three and suggest creating relationships between concepts, gradually increasing the complexity of tasks.
Step 1:
Create Venn diagrams for the concepts listed below - 3 minutes
Create Venn diagrams for the concepts listed below - 5 minutes
Answers
Step 3:
Create a Venn diagram for the concepts listed below - 10 minutes
Answers
Create Venn diagrams for the concepts listed below - 3 minutes
- birds, seagulls (nested concepts)
- school student, A-student (intersecting concepts)
- boys, girls (disjoint concepts)
Create Venn diagrams for the concepts listed below - 5 minutes
- university students, athletes, A-students
- toy, wind-up toy, doll
- short-haired dog, docked-tail dog, long-haired dog
Answers
Step 3:
Create a Venn diagram for the concepts listed below - 10 minutes
- A-student
- student-athlete
- dog-owning student
- student from New York
Answers
After each step, show participants the correct answers, briefly discuss their responses, and ask how these tasks could help them develop their thinking.
