Long-Form Writing
Go Forth and Multiply Thy Word Count: Write Sh*t That Matters
The lost art of Critical Thinking
I was first introduced to the concept of Critical Thinking when I began studying Buddhism as a young seeker. Philosophers such as Nagarjuna (c.150 — c.250 CE), renowned for his insights on the Middle Way and the idea of śūnyatā (emptiness), deeply influenced me with his critical examination of existence and his deep inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality. This sparked a lifelong journey, exploring the true nature of our reality through critical analysis.
“Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.” — Ernest Hemingway (Death in the Afternoon)
Long-Form Writing: Critical Thinking’s Best Friend
What is long-form writing? Content that exceeds 1,200 words and covers a wide range of formats, including articles, essays, research papers, reports, and books.
The best tool I have ever used for developing my critical thinking skills is long-form writing. This is a difficult world to navigate without those skills. But what is happening to the ability to apply critical thinking in our society?
Digital technologies and social media have increased our access to ever-growing tsunamis of data. We find ourselves on the crux of contradiction; the Internet, with news feeds, blogs and slick websites, gives us information and connectedness. But it leaves us oddly ignorant—we know more and learn less.
What does this say about the state of our critical thinking faculties — how well we use our skills to think deeply, understand information better, and make decisions based on what we learn and observe, channeling this into our writing.
Critical thinking — a cornerstone of intellectual engagement and democratic discourse — is antithetical to the rapid consumption habits being encouraged on digital platforms. In an age where more (information) eclipses better (content), our engagement with information becomes superficial. To be a good writer, we have to step away from the superficial.
Headlines, sound bites, and viral snippets tempt us away from the rigorous, time-consuming process of deep analysis and reflection. The very process we need to cultivate nuanced understanding, informed opinion, and the ability to think for oneself.
By understanding how best to engage our critical thinking skills and overcome the challenges of too much information, we are better equipped to handle the messages affecting our views, choices, and our interactions with others.
I can’t stress this enough—critical thinking is vital as a necessary discipline to ensure that we remain more than just consumers of information but rather, we are creators of knowledge and thoughtful interpreters of the world. How can long-form reading and writing hone these skills? First, we need to understand—what is critical thinking. And how do I get some?
“The story must be told. There is always a story, even in the longest and most complex of works.” — Susan Sontag
A Brief History of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking means examining and questioning the world around us in detail instead of just accepting things as they are. It’s based on the Socratic method—asking a lot of questions to reveal contradictions in someone’s ideas and helping us to understand things better.
“I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” — Socrates
Socrates paved the way for critical thinking by teaching that simply acquiring knowledge isn’t enough— we must actively engage in questioning and reflecting upon what we know. He encouraged individuals to reconsider their perspectives and attachment to societal norms by engaging in extensive conversations to break down complex concepts. This practice of persistent inquiry and skepticism established the basis for critical thinking, emphasizing the importance of clear, logical, and rational analysis.
Aristotle, who was mentored by Plato and Socrates, took their teachings to the next level by organizing the study of logic. He established logic as a formal discipline, creating guidelines for effective thinking and argumentation. This advancement in philosophy provided a systematic approach for assessing the soundness of arguments, shaping Western intellectual tradition.
In the Middle Ages, Islamic scholars such as Al-Ghazali, along with European universities, were instrumental in evolving logical thought and argumentation. This period marked an important leap in the progression of logical analysis and thinking.
The Renaissance and the Enlightenment each played critical roles in the evolution of critical thinking. The Renaissance revived and expanded upon ancient ideas, highlighting the role of observation and experience. The Enlightenment stressed the significance of reason and logic as tools for comprehending and reforming the world. Collectively, these periods were pivotal in laying the groundwork for critical thinking as a key method for addressing ideas and solving problems.
Throughout the 20th century, educational reforms influenced by philosophers such as John Dewey underscored the value of critical thinking for both democratic participation and individual growth. As a result, the inclusion of critical thinking in educational curricula across the U.S. increased. Today, critical thinking is recognized as an essential skill for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” — James Madison
The Essence of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking means not just accepting everything you hear or read. It’s about engaging actively with the world, questioning everything, and not taking things at face value. But what does that really mean in a world where we’re bombarded by information from the moment we awake until the moment we fall asleep?
Critical thinking has acted as the engine of human progress, pushing us to evolve, innovate, and solve complex problems. It includes:
- Analysis — where we take complex information and break it down into parts we can understand.
- Evaluation — where we judge the credibility and relevance of the information.
- Synthesis — where we take different pieces of information to form a new understanding or new insight.
In today’s digital world, these skills are more important than ever. The Internet is a double-edged sword — it can be a treasure trove of valuable knowledge or a minefield of misinformation. Distinguishing between the two requires a well-honed set of critical thinking tools. For instance, when scrolling through social media, it’s easy to accept headlines or memes at face value. Even when they are lies.
“The only interesting answers are those that destroy the questions.” — Susan Sontag
How to Apply Critical Thinking to News
- Political News: Political news, especially during election seasons, can be rife with bias, propaganda, and misleading information. Critical thinking involves examining the sources of the information, looking for evidence supporting the claims, considering the context, and seeking out multiple perspectives to form a more balanced view.
- Health Information: During health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation can spread rapidly. Critical thinking in this context means evaluating the credibility of the source (e.g., health organizations vs. unverified social media posts), understanding the scientific consensus, and recognizing the difference between anecdotal evidence and statistically significant data.
- Viral Hoaxes: Social media often circulates stories or images that are either manipulated or taken out of context. Applying critical thinking here involves checking the original source of an image or story, using fact-checking websites, and understanding how sensational content is often used to generate clicks rather than inform.
- Advertisement and Sponsored Content: Advertisements and sponsored content are designed to sell products or ideas by appealing to emotions. Critical thinkers can recognize persuasive techniques, distinguish between opinion and fact, and research product claims before making decisions.
How to Apply Critical Thinking to Social Media
- Question Assumptions: Don’t take information at face value; ask who benefits from a particular story or perspective.
- Check Sources: Look for information from reputable sources and cross-check facts against multiple reports.
- Recognize Bias: Identify the perspective from which the news is reported and consider how it might influence the portrayal of facts.
- Analyze Logic: Evaluate the arguments presented, looking for logical fallacies or unsupported conclusions.
- Reflect on Emotional Responses: Be aware of how your own biases and emotions might affect your judgment of the information.
Applying critical thinking to assess information involves asking key questions like who is the source, what their motive might be, and whether the information is backed by evidence.
1. Who is the source of this information?
Example: Social Media Post Claiming a New “Miracle” Diet Cure
- A social media influencer promotes a new diet claiming it cures chronic diseases.
- Critical Thinking Application: Investigate the influencer’s background. Are they a certified health professional or nutritionist? This helps assess the reliability of the information.
2. What might be their motive?
Example: News Report on a Pharmaceutical Company’s New Drug
- A major news outlet publishes a positive report on a new drug developed by a pharmaceutical company, highlighting its benefits without mentioning potential side effects.
- Critical Thinking Application: Consider the relationship between the news outlet and the pharmaceutical company. Is there a sponsorship or advertisement deal that might motivate the outlet to present the drug in a favorable light? Understanding the financial or ideological motives can provide context for the information presented.
3. Is this information backed by evidence?
Example: Viral Video Claiming Homeopathy Cures Cancer
- A video circulates online, claiming that homeopathy has cured cancer in thousands of patients without side effects, providing testimonials but no scientific data.
- Critical Thinking Application: Look for peer-reviewed studies or clinical trial results that validate these claims. Testimonials are not sufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness of medical treatments. Seeking evidence involves checking reputable medical journals or health organization websites for data supporting or refuting the claims.
Applying these questions:
Social Media Influencer’s Promotion: A lifestyle blogger promotes a financial investment app as the best way to manage finances.
- Critical Thinking: Research the blogger’s expertise in finance and whether they’re receiving compensation from the app company. This helps understand the source’s reliability and motive.
News Article on Political Policies: An article praises a specific policy of a political party just before an election.
- Critical Thinking: Consider the news outlet’s political affiliations and the evidence they provide to support their claims. Checking for evidence includes looking for independent analyses or data from non-partisan sources.
Product Reviews on E-commerce Sites: A product has exclusively five-star reviews on an e-commerce platform.
- Critical Thinking: Investigate if the reviews come from verified purchases and look for reviews outside the platform to gauge if the praise is backed by genuine customer experience.
Applying these critical thinking questions enables us to sift through information more effectively, discerning between trustworthy and dubious sources, understanding underlying motives, and evaluating the solidity of the evidence presented.
“Show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Critical thinking helps us deal with life’s challenges, from policy impacts to health decisions, making us informed citizens who can add value to society. It encourages curiosity, openness, empathy, creativity, and innovation by urging us to consider various perspectives and the complexity of the world.
Critical thinking is fundamental to upholding freedom and democracy and safeguarding against the manipulations of demagogues and opportunists who masquerade as populists. Ensuring that citizens can discern truth from falsehood and make informed decisions that reflect the true will of the people.
In the digital age, using critical thinking is vital for both individuals and society. Teaching it early on prepares future generations to sift through information effectively. This skill helps our children discern valuable insights from distractions, leading to a smarter, more reflective, and more productive society.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
In the United States, the emphasis on teaching critical thinking skills varies widely among states, school districts, and individual educational institutions. Although educational frameworks like the Common Core State Standards advocate for the development of these skills, the actual integration into the curriculum is influenced by factors such as teacher preparedness, available resources, and local educational policies.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), conducted every three years by the OECD, tests the critical thinking skills of 15-year-olds in reading, math, and science, prioritizing real-world problem-solving over memorization. In 2022, the United States ranked 22nd among 85 countries, revealing its global educational standing.
The PISA rankings spotlight the critical need for educators, policymakers, and society to reevaluate and reform educational strategies, shifting focus towards encouraging deep, meaningful learning rather than merely chasing superficial metrics of success. This call for reflection and action aims to better prepare young individuals with the critical thinking skills essential for moving through a complex world.
Efforts to promote critical thinking face challenges, including the focus on standardized testing and varying interpretations of critical thinking itself. Despite the recognized importance of these skills for democracy and an informed citizenry, the effectiveness and uniformity of critical thinking education across the country remain inconsistent and a subject of ongoing discussion.
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” — Margaret Mead
“You can’t have a meaningful relationship with a device whose main feature is the ability to distract you and keep you available to be distracted at any moment.”— Jaron Lanier
Information Overload
The onslaught of news, social media, and emails raises stress, reduces our joie de vivre, and leads to analysis paralysis, impacting our decision-making. We face information overload — where the amount of data surpasses our ability to handle and use it effectively, eroding our critical thinking abilities. Frequent interruptions also hinder the critcal thinking needed to understand complex ideas. With our memory formation constantly disrupted, it is difficult to write a story with substance.
Information overload affects more than just personal well-being; it harms societal health by polarizing opinions, weakening critical thinking, and limiting meaningful dialogue. In a world overwhelmed with shallow content, people often revert to familiar perspectives, becoming less open to exploring complex ideas or different viewpoints.
“Social media has made it easier to manipulate people, and it has made people more manipulable. Our data is being used to engineer our consent without our knowledge.” — Jaron Lanier
Writing Critically
Critical thinking is indispensable to long-form writing, serving as the foundation upon which compelling, coherent, and intellectually engaging narratives are built using several key aspects:
- Depth of Analysis: Long-form writing demands a thorough exploration of its subject matter, requiring the writer to delve beyond surface-level observations. Critical thinking facilitates a deeper analysis of topics, enabling writers to uncover underlying principles, question assumptions, and explore complex relationships between ideas.
- Structure and Coherence: The effective organization of long-form content is paramount to guiding the reader through a comprehensive argument or narrative. Critical thinking aids in structuring arguments logically, ensuring that each section builds upon the previous one in a coherent and persuasive manner.
- Evidence and Support: Long-form writing often aims to inform or persuade, necessitating the use of evidence to support claims. Critical thinking is crucial for evaluating sources, distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information, and integrating evidence in a way that strengthens the argument.
- Anticipating Counterarguments: A hallmark of persuasive long-form writing is the anticipation and addressing of potential counterarguments. Through critical thinking, writers can foresee objections, consider alternative perspectives, and refine their arguments to be more robust and comprehensive.
- Originality and Creativity: While often associated with logical analysis, critical thinking also plays a vital role in stimulating originality. By questioning conventional wisdom and exploring new connections between ideas, writers can generate unique insights and contribute novel contributions to existing discussions.
- Clarity and Precision: Communicating complex ideas in writing requires clarity and precision. Critical thinking helps writers to define their terms clearly, avoid logical fallacies, and express their ideas in a manner that is both accurate and accessible to their intended audience.
- Reflective Revision: The process of revising long-form texts benefits greatly from critical thinking, as it allows writers to critically assess their own work, identify weaknesses, and make necessary adjustments. This reflective process ensures that the final piece is not only well-crafted but also intellectually sound.
Employing critical thinking to write our articles enhances the depth, clarity, and impact of the written work. By analyzing and evaluating information before presenting it, writers can construct well-founded arguments, anticipate and address counterarguments, and avoid logical ambiguity. This way, our articles or books are more thoughtful, informative, and interesting to readers.
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” — Albert Einstein
Take A Cue From The Slow Media Movement
The slow media movement takes its cues from the slow food movement, which advocates a thoughtful and selective approach to the consumption of food. The principles are similar—it’s about quality over quantity and favoring the sort of media that enriches our lives rather than perpetuating a nine-hour doomscroll.
“In our rush to do everything faster, we end up missing the moment. Embracing the slow movement means finding balance and making a connection to the world around us.” — Carl Honoré
Some ways to embrace slow media principles in our own lives include:
- Allocate Time for Deep Work: Schedule dedicated sessions for focused, uninterrupted work. During these periods, engage in complicated, deep-diving tasks or immerse yourself in longer-form content that demands more concentration and critical analysis.
- Choose Depth Over Speed: Take care to affiliate yourself with media sources and content that favor thoughtful commentary and in-depth analysis. This might mean signing up with long-form journalism platforms, digesting podcasts that offer substance, or picking up a good book or two. You can find a variety of great content at Atlas Obscura, if you’re looking for a bit of guidance.
- Use aggregators wisely: Tools like news aggregators can help filter information based on your interests and the credibility of sources. Be mindful of algorithms that may reinforce your existing biases. Actively seek out diverse viewpoints to challenge your assumptions and broaden your understanding.
- Consciously Disconnect: Develop routines that allow for regular unplugging from digital devices and social media — not just to give your screen-weary eyes a break but to give yourself space for uninterrupted thought and reflection. And time to interact with the concrete world around you, engaging in meaningful conversation.
- Savor The Experience: When you do indulge in a little bit of media, try to do so as actively and deliberately as possible. Whether you’re reading a piece of in-depth investigative journalism, enjoying a documentary or catching up with a meaty podcast, give it the space and attentiveness it deserves. Engage, reflect, and critically evaluate the content rather than simply letting it play in the background.
Prioritize Quality Over Quantity:
- Curate Your Information Sources: Seek out sources noted for their depth and credibility. This may include top publications with a reputation for comprehensive reporting and expert analysis or thought leaders who provide insightful, nuanced views on complicated issues. Ad Fontes is a trusted aggregator of news that gives honest ratings of news reliability and bias. Their Interactive Media Bias chart is a great tool.
Engage Actively with Content
- Take Notes and Ask Questions: Enhance the depth of your connection with the material, as well as your ability to remember and comprehend it, by taking notes and devolving your reflections. Highlight the portions of the content you’re most curious about and ask questions—pursue the answers to those questions until you’re satisfied. You will have a deeper connection with the material and expose the next layer of questions to be curious about.
- Discuss and Debate: Share your reflections with others while they read and engage in respectful discourse. Open and thoughtful discussion challenges and broadens your view and helps bring a new level of understanding to the content.
Embrace Deep Work and Continuous Learning
- Allocate Time for Deep Work: Establish regular times for deep, focused effort on complex tasks or when engaging deeply with substantive content. This practice promotes deep thought and the development of your critical analysis skills.
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: Always be on the lookout for opportunities to expand your knowledge base and further develop your critical thinking abilities. A commitment to lifelong learning enriches your experience of life and supports the development of a wise, insightful mind.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi
A Culture of Thoughtful Information Consumption
Research shows that to think deeply about content, we need time and focus. Studies cited at the article’s end suggest that transitioning from superficial browsing to deep, analytical thinking requires time and intentionality.
The general consensus is that a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes of focused reading or viewing is needed before engaging in higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, and synthesis.
This transition period is important for our minds to go from passive reception to active engagement. It’s why we need to spend focused time to understand what we’re reading or watching and what we want to write about.
Cal Newport, author of “Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World,” provides a more detailed insight:
“If you can focus intensely on a problem or craft, you can solve harder problems, create more value, and produce at a level of quality that others can’t.”
Newport’s work extensively explores the mechanics of focus as a critical driver of success in any endeavor.
The principles of the slow media movement fit neatly with what we know about how our brains work. Neuroscience studies show how paying close attention to one thing at a time improves our ability to understand and think critically by making certain brain connections stronger.
We should follow slow media principles personally and as a society. This means not only using the strategies mentioned but also supporting education that teaches us to question things and think critically from a young age. We can demand media that makes us think deeply instead of just appealing to the lowest common denominator, becoming a society that prefers depth and thoughtful discussion over quick, shallow reactions.
Our first step is to carefully choose the information we consume to better understand ourselves and others. By expanding our views and thinking critically, we can focus on what’s important personally and together.
And write sh*t that matters. If it matters to you then write it so it matters to others. Don’t worry about your length. Focus on your story. Give it substance and depth.
Go forth and multiply your word count!
“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.” — Neil Gaiman
Discover more benefits to long-form writing and keep your precious brain functioning well.
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When writing an article on critical thinking, it is beneficial to have an editor who is a master at critical thinking. Thank you, Andrew Rodwin
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