b"TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE The best way to combat this is through independent verification, to find the source of the information and assess it.For example, it can be helpful to develop a sense of doubt about un-sourced claims. Does the person making the argument, indicate where they got this information from?If you ask or try to find it yourself and there is no clear answer, this should be seen as a red flag. It is also important to know that not all sources are equallyvalid.So,takethetimetolearnthedifferencebetweenthe different sources, in order to have a clearer picture.3.Identify biases: this skill can be extremely difficult, as even the smartest among us may not recognize bias. Strong critical thinkers do their best to objectively evaluate information. Think of yourself as a judge in that you want to weigh the claims of both sides of an argument, but you'll also need to keep in mind any biases each side may have.It is equally important, and arguably more difficult, to learn to put aside your biases that may cloud your judgment. Have the courage to debate and discuss your own thoughts and assumptions. This is essential for learning to see things from different angles.You should be aware that there are biases. When evaluating information or an argument, ask yourself the following questions:Who does this benefit? Does the source of this information seem to have an agenda? Does the source overlook, ignore or does she leave out information that does not support their beliefs or claims? Does this source use unnecessary language to influence the public's perception of a fact?4.The deduction: the abilityto infer and draw conclusions based on the informationpresentedtoyouisanotherimportantskillformastering critical thinking. Information is not always accompanied by a summary that explains what it means. You will often need to evaluate the information provided and draw conclusions based on raw data.Theabilitytoinferallowsyoutoextrapolateanddiscoverpotential outcomes when evaluating a scenario. Germain Decelles131"