-- 05 -- Assumptions, Main Ideas

-- 05 -- Assumptions, Main Ideas

TFY -- Chapter Five Assumptions

This chapter concerns another familiar word, assumptions, demonstrating some surprising complexities in the term. Multiple exercises will show you how assumptions relate to facts and inferences, how they affect thinking, how they affect arguments, and how they might be unraveled and clarified. A writing application involves an expository essay on assumption recognition and its role in creative problem solving. A reading selection by Edward de Bono demonstrates the role of assumptions in creative thinking. A second selection by David Low shows us how assumptions affect family relationships.

Glossary Chapter 5 accommodation Accommodation is achieved when we can do the thinking needed to create a new schema or modify an old schema in order to explain a new experience. argument There are the two parts of an argument. The conclusion, or main summary idea and the reasons given to support that idea. assimilation Assimilation is achieved when we can integrate new experiences into existing schemas. assumption Assumption is an idea whose truth can be taken for granted. assumption layers Assumption layers can appear beneath simple assertions. Such layers consist of multiple hidden and unexamined assumptions influenced in turn by one or more value assumptions beneath the whole. counter claim Counter claim is a response to a claim with a defense or with another claim. disequilibrium The confusion and discomfort felt when a new experience cannot be integrated into existing schemas. equilibrium A stable inner feeling of well being that we feel when our thinking enables us to modify or create a new schema that better explains our world. hidden assumption A hidden assumption is an unclear and unstated idea assumed to be true that is integral to a line of reasoning. In an argument, it is a hidden premise that cannot be examined for truth and validity. Blind acceptance of a hidden premise can lead to the acceptance of a false or invalid conclusion. infer To use imagination and reasoning to fill in missing facts. To connect the dots. lateral thinking Lateral thinking solves problems by reviewing options, overcoming assumptions, and inventing new solutions. Vertical thinking follows more conventional step-by-step logic. schema Schemas are the mental files in which we store our explanations of experiences. thesis A thesis is a short summary statement of an idea that an essay intends to prove. It is also called the thesis statement and controlling idea. thinking Purposeful mental activity such as reasoning, deciding, judging, believing, supposing, expecting, intending, recalling, remembering, visualizing, imagining, devising, inventing, concentrating, conceiving, considering. value or belief assumption Value assumption is a belief that we take for granted, one that rarely questioned or even articulated. Remaining hidden and unexpressed, a value assumption can nevertheless shape a chain of reasoning. working assumption A working assumption is a trial idea, theory, strategy, or hypothesis assumed to be true in order to further an investigation. It is a conscious assumption.

Is of Identity Test


Web Links

DEFINITION OF ASSUMPTION
This entry at wordreference.com explains the many meanings of the word assumption.
http://www.wordreference.com/definition/assumption

HYPOTHESIS DEFINED - American Heritage Dictionary
Compare the definitions of the word hypothesis given at the Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries.
http://www.bartleby.com/61/3/H0370300.html

JEAN PIAGET
This site is available for learning more about Jean Piaget and his theories on cognitive development.
http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/piaget.html

THESIS
"How to Write a Thesis Statement." A useful discussion prepared at Indiana University.
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml

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CRCB -- Chapter 5: LOCATING STATED MAIN IDEAS

Main Ideas Graphic Organizers


Being able to locate an author’s main idea is key to understanding your textbook. It allows you to:

see the relationship between the main idea and the other supporting ideas
distinguishing general ideas from more specific ones

The topic is the most general idea, while the main idea is the more specific controlling idea of a piece of writing.
The details, which are the most specific:

serve to support main idea
illustrate the main idea

Four useful strategies to identify the main idea are:

Question Yourself
Look in the Usual Places
Notice Clue Words
Categorize an Author’s Points

Some main ideas are:

stated directly in a reading
easy to label once you have read the assignment
implied

Identifying stated main ideas is a good start to critically reading your textbook material.