Creative Thinking and Writing is a required two-quarter course at Santa Clara University. Despite the lack of choice, the class teaches valuable lessons about approaching ANYTHING with an OPEN-MIND and utilizing CRITICAL THINKING to analyze a conversation.
BEAM
All sources can be encompassed by this acronym.
Background- This source provides the context to the conversation you are entering and the argument you are presenting.
Exhibit- These sources provide credibility of your argument. These are pieces of the conversation that provide evidence supporting or contradicting your claim.
Argument- These are the approaches and arguments already created by someone else. These can be used to set up a “nay-sayer” into our argument.
Method- These are used to apply the method of analyzing from one thing to your own sources.
Research
Research requires a systematic approach to answering your research topic. This allows you to narrow down the information to get the most concise answers to your questions while offering a spread of information. This entire process is driven by questions that allow you to further your own knowledge and closing gaps in your arguments.