1. Clarifying your thinking and explaining the origins of your ideas. - Why do I think this? - What exactly do I think? 2. Challenging assumptions. - How do I know this is true? - What if I thought the opposite? 3. Looking for evidence. - How can I back this up? - What are the sources? 4. Considering alternative perspectives. - What might others think? - How do I know I am correct? 5. Examining consequences and implications. - What if I am wrong? - What are the consequences if I am? 6. Questioning the original questions. - Why did I think that? - Was I correct? - What conclusions can I draw from the reasoning process?