🧠 Critical Thinking Lab

Stop and check: which of your stereotypes actually held up?

Phase 3 of 5

Duration ≈ 45 min

Skill Argumentation & source evaluation

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🔎 Claim, evidence, reasoning

Go back to the stereotypes you wrote down in Phase 1. Pick the one that has changed the most for you after working on your team mission.

Task 1

Claim: What was the original stereotype or assumption?

Evidence: What have you now learned (from your team mission or another team's) that supports or challenges it?

Reasoning: What's your conclusion now? Has the stereotype been confirmed, complicated, or proven wrong?

⚖️ Structured controversy

Discuss in your team first, then write individually:

"Should countries actively reshape how they present themselves to the world?"

Two starter arguments on each side to get you thinking — don't just copy them, add your own reasoning or example too.

PRO

A country's image affects real decisions — tourism, investment, even how people abroad think about its citizens. A more honest image can lead to fairer treatment.

PRO

The old image was often chosen by only one group, like tourism boards. Reshaping it can finally include voices that were left out before — for example Indigenous voices.

CON

Reshaping an image can turn into marketing or spin — a country might just swap one simplified story for a "nicer" one, instead of fixing real problems.

CON

It's hard to agree on one new image for a whole country. Different groups — Indigenous communities, migrants, city vs. country people — may want very different things.

Match each argument above to its core idea in one phrase. This makes sure you actually read all four before you start writing.

PRO — A more honest image affects how people abroad see and treat a country's citizens.

PRO — Reshaping the image can finally include groups that were left out before, like Indigenous voices.

CON — It can turn into spin: a "nicer" story instead of actually fixing problems.

CON — Different groups inside one country may want very different things.

Task 2

List at least one argument in favour.

List at least one argument against.

What's your own position, and why?

🗣️ Team discussion

Talk this through with your team — there's no single correct answer. Go back to your own team's mission page (A, B, C, or D) and look at who is actually speaking in the text and images: politicians? Tourism ads? Statistics? Or real people, in their own words?

Discuss, then note down

Name one specific kind of person whose voice is missing from your team's mission material — a real type of person, not just "more information." Example: "We read facts about the Stolen Generations, but no quote from an Aboriginal person themselves."

Why would hearing from that person change the picture your mission material gives?

🚀

Submit your thinking

Enter your name and class, then submit.

🎓

Onwards

Well reasoned. After your class showcase (Phase 4, in your classroom), come back for the final phase.

Continue to Phase 5: Reflection & Transfer →