How can critical thinking help you navigate technical jargon?

1 Identify the purpose

The first step to deal with technical jargon is to identify the purpose of the text or speech that contains it. Why is the author or speaker using technical jargon? Is it to inform, persuade, instruct, or impress? Is it appropriate for the intended audience, topic, and genre? Is it consistent with the main message and tone? By asking these questions, you can evaluate the relevance and credibility of the technical jargon and determine how much attention and effort you need to devote to understanding it.

2 Decode the meaning

The second step to deal with technical jargon is to decode the meaning of the unfamiliar terms or expressions. You can use various strategies to do this, such as looking for definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, or context clues in the text or speech itself. You can also consult reliable sources, such as dictionaries, glossaries, encyclopedias, or experts, to verify or clarify the meaning of technical jargon. You can also use your prior knowledge, logic, or intuition to infer or guess the meaning of technical jargon based on its structure, origin, or relation to other words.

3 Analyze the implications

The third step to deal with technical jargon is to analyze the implications of the technical jargon for the overall understanding and evaluation of the text or speech. How does the technical jargon affect the accuracy, completeness, validity, or significance of the information or arguments presented? How does the technical jargon influence the tone, style, or perspective of the author or speaker? How does the technical jargon relate to the main ideas, themes, or goals of the text or speech? By asking these questions, you can assess the impact and value of the technical jargon and integrate it into your own interpretation and opinion.

4 Apply the knowledge

The fourth step to deal with technical jargon is to apply the knowledge that you have gained from the technical jargon to your own learning, work, or communication. How can you use the technical jargon to enhance your understanding, skills, or performance in a specific field or domain? How can you use the technical jargon to communicate more effectively, confidently, or respectfully with others who share or need the same vocabulary? How can you use the technical jargon to explore new topics, questions, or possibilities in your area of interest or curiosity? By asking these questions, you can transfer and extend the knowledge that you have acquired from the technical jargon and make it more meaningful and useful for yourself and others.

5 Review and reflect

The fifth step to deal with technical jargon is to review and reflect on your experience and progress with the technical jargon. How did you feel when you encountered the technical jargon? What challenges or difficulties did you face? What strategies or resources did you use? What did you learn or achieve? What did you enjoy or appreciate? What did you miss or misunderstand? What can you improve or change? By asking these questions, you can monitor and evaluate your learning and thinking process and identify your strengths and weaknesses with the technical jargon.

6 Keep learning

The sixth step to deal with technical jargon is to keep learning and expanding your vocabulary and knowledge in the field or domain that interests you. Technical jargon is not static, but dynamic and evolving, as new discoveries, inventions, or innovations are made and shared. Technical jargon is also not isolated, but interconnected and interdisciplinary, as different fields or domains influence and borrow from each other. Therefore, you need to keep yourself updated, curious, and open-minded about the technical jargon and the concepts and phenomena that it represents. You can do this by reading, listening, watching, or engaging with various sources, formats, and perspectives that expose you to the technical jargon and challenge you to think critically about it.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?