Think First · Practical tools

Guides &
Worksheets

Work through a familiar example. Then use a worksheet to examine a question of your own.

The library · 8 guides

Read a worked example.

Each guide starts with a recognizable situation and follows the questions it raises. Choose the subject closest to yours.

01GaslightingWhen Is It Actually Gaslighting?Distinguish a mistake or disagreement from a repeated pattern of denying events and undermining someone’s judgment. 02Stories & evidenceWhen a Story Becomes EvidenceSeparate what happened from the explanation and meaning attached to it. Notice when a story begins to replace the record. 03InstitutionsThe Sound of AuthorityFollow a repair report as it becomes a public announcement. See what each edit keeps or leaves out. 04Corrections & contextWhat Happened to the Original Claim?Put an original statement beside its later versions. Examine what changed, what was explained, and what remains unknown. 05AI & evidenceWhy Fluent Answers Feel TrustworthyLook beyond a polished answer. Find its sources, check what they support, and keep the conclusion within those limits. 06NumbersWhen the Numbers Improve but the Outcome Does NotA maintenance team closes twice as many requests. Did it fix more problems? Check the days counted and repairs needed again. 07Belief & biasWhy Our Own Side Is Harder to QuestionCheck a school reading program’s claim, even when you support its work. Ask the same questions of a rival program. 08Future claimsHow to Examine a Promise About the FutureA town promises to reopen a park. Check the plan, money, work left, and deadline before relying on that promise.
Practice · 3 worksheets

Put it on paper.

Keep the exact wording, evidence, and questions together so you can revisit your judgment when something changes.

Evidence record

Keep a Claim Record

Keep the words, source, evidence, limits, and your assessment together.

Use the worksheet Competing explanations

Compare the Stories

Put two explanations beside the same facts and note what each asks you to assume.

Use the worksheet Revision record

Follow the Revision

Preserve the original claim and meaningful updates, including what remains uncertain.

Use the worksheet

Keep a copy of your work. Interactive worksheets do not save your notes. Copy or download them before leaving; each worksheet includes printing guidance.

Continuing inquiry · 1 collection

Some questions take longer.

Questions Worth Following

Six sample inquiry plans show what to check, from a grocery store’s food waste to an online store’s chatbot. They are examples of inquiry, not reports of real studies.

Explore the questions
For more context
Clarity FrameworkThe six-stage method behind the work.
THNK DictionaryDefinitions, boundaries, and examples.
THNK ResearchMethods, sourcing, and uncertainty.

These resources draw on Distorted by Jim Detjen. Each page identifies relevant chapters and ideas. You can use them without reading the book. Explore Distorted