New and updated material enables students to apply critical thinking principles to current issues

New - Fresh articles and excerpts cover current topics and issues, and express a variety of social and political viewpoints and ethical concerns.
Updated - An increased emphasis on practical application of critical thinking skills helps students understand exactly how they can apply course concepts to their personal, social, and political concerns.
Updated - Coverage of the relationship between social media and critical thinking highlights current research on how social media — including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Yelp — affects decision making and relationships.
Updated - Discussions of how advertisers and marketers influence consumers include contemporary techniques such as eye tracking, the use of sounds and scents, product placement, and neuro-marketing.
Updated - A clearer organization enhances comprehension.

Learning objectives featured at the beginning of each chapter section guide students through the text.
Tools for determining reliable sources of information, including a checklist for evaluating “fake news” from “real news,” help students learn how to think critically about media and other sources.
Expanded chapter summaries that include all relevant concepts and learning objectives help students better review what they’ve read.

Content and tools that help students understand and apply effective critical thinking skills

Author Sherry Diestler presents examples of each key concept, which progress from the personal to the social or political. This presentation allows students to see that the same skills used in understanding arguments in daily life can be used to analyze political and commercial rhetoric.
Multicultural perspectives are presented throughout the text. Many exercises and assignments encourage students to understand the perspectives of others and to broaden their own perspectives.
In order to help students become effective, well-rounded critical thinkers, the text emphasizes

understanding conflicting value systems
arguing and making decisions ethically
analyzing and understanding the vital impact of print and electronic media on arguments

Critical thinking, writing, and speaking exercises of varying difficulty within and at the end of each chapter give students opportunities to practice applying what they’re learning.
Pedagogical tools aid students as they learn.

Graphics, animations, and cartoons illustrate important concepts.
Definitions of key words are highlighted in the margins.
Suggestions of films that illustrate critical-thinking concepts are included at the end of each chapter.

Dynamic content designed for the way today's students read, think, and learn brings concepts to life

Videos and interactives integrated directly into the author-created narrative keep students engaged as they read through each chapter. Thanks to this media-rich presentation of content, students are more likely to complete their assigned reading and retain what they’ve read.

New - Video exercises help students gain confidence in public speaking so that they can be effective advocates for their ideas.
New - Engaging animations enhance understanding of key critical-thinking concepts.

Embedded assessments such as quizzes and concept checks afford students opportunities to check their understanding at regular intervals before moving on. Assessments in Revel™ let instructors gauge student comprehension frequently, provide timely feedback, and address learning gaps along the way.
The Revel mobile app lets students read, practice, and study — anywhere, anytime, on any device. Content is available both online and offline, and the app syncs work across all registered devices automatically, giving students great flexibility to toggle between phone, tablet, and laptop as they move through their day. The app also lets students set assignment notifications to stay on top of all due dates.
The writing functionality in Revel enables educators to integrate writing — among the best ways to foster and assess critical thinking — into the course without significantly impacting their grading burden.

Self-paced Journaling Prompts throughout the narrative encourage students to express their thoughts without breaking stride in their reading.
Assignable Shared Writing Activities direct students to share written responses with classmates, fostering peer discussion.
Essays integrated directly within Revel allow instructors to assign the precise writing tasks they need for the course.

Highlighting, note taking, and a glossary let students read and study however they like. Educators can add notes for students, too, including reminders or study tips.

Superior assignability, tracking, and pedagogical tools help educators make sure students are completing their reading and understanding core concepts

The assignment calendar allows educators to indicate precisely which readings must be completed on which dates. This clear, detailed schedule helps students stay on task by eliminating any ambiguity as to which material will be covered during each class. When they understand exactly what is expected of them, students are better motivated to keep up.
The performance dashboard empowers educators to monitor class assignment completion as well as individual student achievement. Actionable information, such as points earned on quizzes and tests and time on task, helps educators intersect with their students in meaningful ways. For example, the trending column reveals whether students' grades are improving or declining, helping educators to identify students who might need help to stay on track.
LMS integration provides institutions, instructors, and students easy access to their Revel courses via Blackboard Learn™, Canvas™, Brightspace by D2L™, and Moodle™. With single sign-on, students can be ready to access an interactive blend of authors' narrative, media, and assessment on their first day. Flexible, on-demand grade synchronization capabilities allow educators to control exactly which grades should be transferred to their LMS Gradebook.

Revel is built for digital learning, but we've got you covered if you need print, too

Revel gives students everything they need in an integrated digital learning environment. But if students need a loose-leaf print reference to complement their Revel experience, they can purchase one from within their Revel course at any time.

Becoming a Critical Thinker: A User-Friendly Manual, 7th edition

eTextbook features

Pearson+

Explore

Products & Services

Support

Extend Your Learning

About us