Basic Thinking Moves

This chart shows you the kinds of “thinking moves” you can use to help you gather, organize, re-examine, and evaluate your thoughts.

Watch

Listen

Taste

Feel

Smell

Use experiences

Freewrite

Brainstorm

Talk to others

Read, write, draw

Ask who, what, when, where, why?

Ask how, how much?

Put in the right order

Compare, contrast

Give reasons

Group, define

Argue for or against

Create new ideas

Experiment, invent

Wonder what if . . .

Predict, guess

Re-examine
(Is this the best way?)

Rearrange
(Is this the best order?)

Revise
(Is this the best wording?)

Restructure
(Is this the best form?)

Criticize (Is it interesting?)

Persuade (Is it worthwhile?)