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Habits of Mind Definition
According to the Council of Writing Program Administrators, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the National Writing Project (2011), curiosity, openness, engagement, creativity, persistence, responsibility, and flexibility are habits of mind that are “essential for success in college writing”:
| Curiosity — the desire to know more about the world | Curiosity as a Habit of Mind is marked by an eagerness to learn, explore, and understand more deeply. It involves asking probing questions, seeking out new knowledge, and a willingness to dig into the unknown or complex topics. This habit fosters a continuous quest for learning, fuels innovation, and encourages you to constantly broaden your understanding and perspective. By nurturing your curiosity, you become more engaged and insightful, enhancing your ability to make meaningful connections across various fields and experiences. Resources: Growth Mindset – Invention – Research – Searching as a Strategic Exploration – The Writing Process |
| Openness — the willingness to consider new ways of being and thinking in the world | Openness as a Habit of Mind involves being receptive to new experiences, ideas, and viewpoints. It encompasses a willingness to consider and explore diverse perspectives, question assumptions, and embrace change and new opportunities. This habit encourages curiosity and flexibility, fostering an environment where learning and growth can thrive. By cultivating openness, individuals become more adaptable, culturally aware, and able to engage constructively with the world around them, enriching their personal and professional lives. Resources: Intellectual Openness – Play the Believing Game – Reading and Disruptive Emotions |
| Engagement — a sense of investment and involvement in learning | Resources: Searching as a Strategic Exploration – Self-Regulation & Metacognition |
| Creativity — the ability to use novel approaches for generating, investigating, and representing ideas | Creativity as a Habit of Mind refers to the ability to think in novel and innovative ways. It involves generating original ideas, finding unique solutions to problems, and seeing beyond conventional approaches. This habit is not just about artistic expression but extends to all areas of life and work, where inventive thinking can lead to new insights and breakthroughs. By nurturing creativity, individuals enhance their capacity to approach challenges with a fresh perspective, think outside the box, and contribute uniquely valuable viewpoints and solutions in various contexts. Resources: Composing Processes – Heuristics – Invention – Research |
| Persistence — the ability to sustain interest in and attention to short- and long-term projects | Persistence as a Habit of Mind is the quality of continuing steadily despite challenges or obstacles. It involves a sustained effort to achieve goals and the determination to overcome difficulties. This habit is characterized by a resilient attitude, the capacity to stay focused on tasks, and the tenacity to keep going in the face of setbacks or frustrations. Cultivating persistence enables individuals to approach tasks with a commitment to see them through to completion, enhancing their ability to succeed in various endeavors, both academically and professionally. Resources: Critique – Resilience – Searching as a Strategic Exploration – Self Regulation & Metacognition |
| Responsibility — the ability to take ownership of one’s actions and understand the consequences of those actions for oneself and others | Responsibility as a Habit of Mind entails the recognition and acceptance of one’s role in both personal and communal contexts. It encompasses being accountable for one’s actions, decisions, and their consequences. This habit involves a commitment to personal integrity, ethical behavior, and contributing positively to the broader community. By fostering responsibility, individuals develop a sense of duty, a respect for others, and a commitment to doing what is right and necessary, both in their personal lives and as members of a society. Resources: How to Revise Your Work – Professionalism & Work Ethic – Structured Revision |
| Flexibility — the ability to adapt to situations, expectations, or demands | Flexibility as a Habit of Mind refers to the ability to adapt one’s thinking and approach in response to new information, challenges, or changing circumstances. It involves being open to different ideas and perspectives, and the willingness to revise plans or strategies when necessary. A flexible mindset allows for creative problem-solving, encourages innovative thinking, and helps in effectively navigating complex or uncertain situations. By cultivating flexibility, individuals become more resilient and capable of handling diverse scenarios in both personal and professional contexts. Resources: Counterarguments – Rebuttal – Refutation – Invention – Research |
| Metacognition — the ability to reflect on one’s own thinking as well as on the individual and cultural processes used to structure knowledge. | Curiosity, as a Habit of Mind, is fundamentally about the desire to explore new ideas, ask questions, and seek to understand more deeply. It involves an eagerness to learn and a willingness to delve into the unknown or the unfamiliar. Curiosity drives individuals to investigate, research, and think critically, leading to a more profound comprehension of subjects and fostering continuous learning and intellectual growth. In essence, cultivating curiosity is about nurturing an inquisitive mindset that constantly seeks knowledge, understanding, and personal development. Resources: Self Reflection |
