8th Grade Speech Class Taught Me How to Think Critically
8th Grade Speech Class Taught Me How to Think Critically
I was lucky enough in life to be at great schools, something I will always be thankful for. Prior to being on the debate team for 6 years (you think ?!), I took a Speech class.
My 8th grade teacher was named Mr. Appleby. He made one point to me that still resonates today:
"Many Americans have really lost critical thinking skills."
He meant a few things by that: 1 - Most people just follow what their friends are doing. 2 - Few people have the ability to analyze an argument, article, or other reading logically, understand what it means, its strong and weak points, and then form their own opinion of it.
In short, the exercise was one to help young people develop their own compass.
He had us analyze questions and readings, on both sides, even in a religious school where one side was often clearly being taught in other classes.
It can kinda mess with a young mind at times - which one should I think? - but it also teaches something extremely valuable:
Be your own person, and don't be afraid to form opinions - regardless of where they lead you - that start from analysis and logic.
I think there are a lot of employees early in career that would also be wise to follow the same advice, and to seek out companies where such practices are encouraged.
How many times have we been in large companies where we are clearly taught to believe that shrinking means growing, or that forever unprofitability is going to work out just fine?
Quite a few!