Clarifying Situations and Problems in a Critical Thinking Process

The SEE-I approach is a very useful tool for clarifying situations and problems in a critical thinking process. S: State it: Capture the essence of the concept in one or two sentence (one paragraph at the most) and you may also include a definition. E: Elaborate [explain it more fully, in your own words] Now you are to further explain the essence of the topic. If you had a definition in your statement then you need to further explain this definition. This section of the SEE-I is usually 2 paragraphs E: Exemplify [give a good example] and even a contrasting example to further explain and clarify the topic of research. This needs to fit in with what you stated and the elaboration section. I: Illustrate [give an illustration: e.g., a metaphor, a simile, an analogy, a diagram, a concept map, etc.] So if you are only using words it must paint a picture of what you are meaning or trying to portray.