Understanding evidence is critical in a court of law - and it is just as important for critical thinking. Elizabeth Loftus, a pioneering psychologist, made a landmark contribution to both these areas in Eyewitness Testimony, a trail-blazing work that undermines much of the decision-making made by judges and juries by pointing out how flawed eyewitness testimony actually is. Reporting the results of an eye-opening series of experiments and trials, Loftus explores the ways in which - unbeknownst to the witnesses themselves - memory can be distorted and become highly unreliable. Much of Loftus's work is based on expert use of the critical thinking skill of interpretation. Her work not only highlights multiple problems of definition with regard to courtroom testimony, but also focuses throughout on how best we can understand the meaning of the available evidence. Eyewitness Testimony is arguably the best place in the Macat library to begin any investigation of how to use and understand interpretation.

Michael R. Gottfredson and Travish Hirschi's 1990 A General Theory of Crime is a classic text that helped reshape the discipline of criminology. It is also a testament to the powers of clear reasoning and interpretation. In critical thinking terms, reasoning is all about presenting a solid and persuasive case - and as many people instinctively understand, the most persuasive reasoning is that which bases itself on a single, simple hook. In Gottfredson and Hirschi's case, this hook was what has come to be known as the "self-control theory of crime" - the idea that the tendency to commit crime is directly related to an individual's level of self-control. While the dominant schools of thought of the time tended to focus on crime as the product of complex environmental factors, with little attempt to unify different theories, Gottfredson and Hirschi sought to interpret things so as to provide a single overarching concept that explained why crimes of all sorts were committed. Moreover, while other theories of crime concentrated on understanding and explaining specific types of law-breaking, the self-control model could, in Gottfredson and Hirschi's view, be seen as the basis for understanding the root cause for all crime in all contexts. While such simplicity inevitably attracted as much criticism as agreement, subsequent studies have provided real-world corroboration for the General Theory's persuasive reasoning.

There is arguably no more famous book about the arts of interpretation and analysis than Sigmund Freud’s 1899 Interpretation of Dreams. Though the original edition of just 600 copies took eight years to sell out, it eventually became a classic text that helped cement Freud’s reputation as one of the most significant intellectual figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. In critical thinking, just as in Freud’s psychoanalytical theories, interpretation is all about understanding the meaning of evidence, and tracing the significance of things. Analysis can then be brought in to tease out the implicit reasons and assumptions that lie underneath the interpreted evidence.

Interpretation of Dreams is a masterclass in building telling analyses from ingenious interpretation of evidence. Freud worked from the assumption that all dreams were significant attempts by the unconscious to resolve conflicts. As a result, he argued, they contain in altered and disguised forms clues to our deepest unconscious urges and desires. Each must be taken on its own terms to tease out what they really mean. Though Freud’s theories have often been criticized, he remains the undisputed master of interpretation – with his critics suggesting that he was, if anything, too ingenious for his own good.

Michael R. Gottfredson and Travish Hirschi’s 1990 A General Theory of Crime is a classic text that helped reshape the discipline of criminology. It is also a testament to the powers of clear reasoning and interpretation.

In critical thinking terms, reasoning is all about presenting a solid and persuasive case – and as many people instinctively understand, the most persuasive reasoning is that which bases itself on a single, simple hook. In Gottfredson and Hirschi’s case, this hook was what has come to be known as the “self-control theory of crime” – the idea that the tendency to commit crime is directly related to an individual’s level of self-control.

While the dominant schools of thought of the time tended to focus on crime as the product of complex environmental factors, with little attempt to unify different theories, Gottfredson and Hirschi sought to interpret things so as to provide a single overarching concept that explained why crimes of all sorts were committed. Moreover, while other theories of crime concentrated on understanding and explaining specific types of law-breaking, the self-control model could, in Gottfredson and Hirschi’s view, be seen as the basis for understanding the root cause for all crime in all contexts. While such simplicity inevitably attracted as much criticism as agreement, subsequent studies have provided real-world corroboration for the General Theory’s persuasive reasoning.

A romantic relationship can be intertwined with spiritual or religious beliefs. The characters in an inspirational romance Poems and Poetry often find themselves dealing with the challenges of their feelings, needs and desires within the tapestry of their beliefs and the beliefs of those around them.

It came to me that I was called to war and I should pray with the level of authority given to me by God. So I told him that he too is called to war and he most pray each day of his life. People who claim to have seen these Shadow People all share similar stories of being in the dark in bed and seeing something that is darker than their pitch-black room. They are said to be human figures that you first see out of the corner of your eye. Usually these presences are seen as just silhouettes, other accounts recall them to be appearing male wearing hats and with long coats but still have no discernible face or features. While they do sound to be kind of like ghosts, they are quite different.

The Case of the Cannabis Cat begins with the Frayne family at the dinner table discussing the legalities of arresting a person. Tommy knows the Miranda warning but his Dad points out that the laws are different in Canada. The next day, a box is delivered to the Frayne home addressed to Tommy. When he opens it, he finds a little cat with a small barrel tied to a ribbon around its neck. He and his little sister are delighted with it but things turn awry when Constable Bidwell turns up and accuses the Fraynes of possession of illegal drugs. Because everyone refuses to answer questions, before long the Fraynes and the rest of the Private Investigators Club are sitting in an interrogation room in the police station. Luckily, Mary, a.k.a. Brains, knows enough of the law to argue against the 14 year jail term that Constable Bidwell is threatening. The story provides a look at the laws relating to possession of illegal drugs and gives the young private detectives a good idea about the severe penalties for drug possession and trafficking. The stories in the Private Investigators Club series are "readers" for students of age eight or older. People of any age who are learning English as a Second Language may find them entertaining. The story consists of eight chapters, each of which is followed by a list of "new words," i.e. words that have not appeared in the story previously and are not on a list of words that a Grade 5 student would likely know. As well, there is a lesson plan associated with each chapter. Each lesson plan has topics for discussion, questions that can be answered by searching the Internet, and questions that can explore whether or not the story is understood. Answers are provided so that a student learning English without the aid of a teacher can compare their answers to those in the book. In addition to educational objectives, the stories are easy to read and contain the occasional joke or humorous situation. Anyone interested in writing in English is invited to produce another story in the series. Details are provided on the Publisher's website. The contest has deadlines for a story about the Private Investigators Club every three months. Several writers can work on one story. For example, a classroom assignment to produce a story in the series could be given to several teams of four students each and the resulting stories could be submitted to the contest. The story has to include our four young detectives and use Brockville as the location. Other than that, the mystery to be solved is entirely up to the writers. Information on the City of Brockville is available on the Internet and in the first book in the series, "The Case of the Ancient American." The Publisher wishes to encourage students to do creative writing and will accept submissions on any topic. Periodically, an eBook of submitted stories is published so this is one way to become an established author.

The Case of the Greedy Goat is the seventh story in the Private Investigators Club series. If you have read the introductions to the other stories in the series, you will appreciate the fact that the young detectives like solving mysteries. The story starts with Tommy reporting that he has received an invitation for the club members to have a holiday at Mr. J's cottage in return for helping him open it for the summer. With some difficulty he leads them through the formal procedures to accept the invitation. They are driven to Chaffey's Lock and taken by boat to a remote cottage on Scott Island. While working on the task of getting the water system working, their cell phones mysteriously disappear. Mr. J suspects the Greedy Goat has eaten them. The story continues as the detectives search for their phones, assist with some difficult maintenance tasks and have a few adventures. They fear that Mr. J has flipped and try, unsuccessfully, to escape. Luckily, it all works out in the end. The stories in the Private Investigators Club series are readers for students of age eight or older. People of any age who are learning English as a Second Language may find them entertaining and educational. This story explains the Canadian obsession with lakes and cottages, providing insight into some of the joys and frustrations of owning a cottage. After each chapter, there is a list of definitions of those words used for the first time and a lesson that explores the situation in the chapter. Some questions are suitable discussion topics, others require using the Internet. Answers are provided so you can determine whether or not you really understand what is going on. There are many jokes or humorous situations in the story. Because some readers will not get the joke, a chapter titled Humor Explained identifies what the author is trying to do with the amusing sections. Anyone interested in writing in English is invited to produce another story in the series. Details are provided on the Publisher's website. The Publisher wishes to encourage students to do creative writing and will accept submissions on any topic. Periodically, an eBook of submitted stories is published so this is one way for you to become an established author.

The Case of the Diligent Detectives begins with Bobby running the meeting. It is his turn to be President. He wants the young detectives to become more diligent in their investigations. He overrules various suggestions for investigation and homes in on the brown blotches that are appearing on the grass. He suspects that alien spacecraft are hovering over the city at night and shining powerful laser beams at the ground, thereby causing the death of the grass in various places. He decides that he needs to sit in a pup tent in the park and take photos of any flying saucers that come by. The others agree to investigate but decide to trick him by building a small flying saucer that they can float over his tent. Dick builds the device and paints his hockey mask green. He gets dressed in green pajamas. After dark, the three conspirators arrive in front of Bobby's tent and start making alien noises. The trick backfires. Bobby is not amused. The next night, to make up for their insubordination, the three other detectives camp out and investigate diligently. What happens has to be read to be believed. The story provides an opportunity for the reader to learn Morse code, a little French and the unexplained mysteries of aliens who come in the night. The stories in the Private Investigators Club series are "readers" for students of age eight or older. People of any age who are learning English as a Second Language may find them entertaining. Anyone interested in writing in English is invited to produce another story in the series. Details are provided on the Publisher's website. The Publisher wishes to encourage students to do creative writing and will accept submissions on any topic. Periodically, an eBook of submitted stories is published so this is one way for you to become an established author.

The Case of the Electrified Envoy is the contest winning story sponsored by the Publisher of the Private Investigators Club series. If you have read the introductions to the other stories in the series, you will appreciate the fact that the story was a last minute entry by the Publisher himself. The story starts with Bobby urging the young detectives to be more professional. To that end, he wants everyone to suggest someone who they can follow as though he were a suspect. They choose an older man who has just moved to Brockville. Dick acts as scout and reports when the man leaves his apartment. Mary scoots over to the supermarket to observe him. Before long all four of the young detectives have the suspect under control. The situation rapidly deteriorates when the suspect's landlady blows their cover. They all congregate in the suspect's apartment and he tells them what he is doing in Brockville. The discussion gets pretty technical and before long Bobby heads home as he cannot understand it. The others listen to the tale of the unlikely research the Professor is planning. He sets up a demonstration of a portal to another world. Mary walks through the portal and promptly disappears. Tommy and Dick are concerned and call the police. Even the Professor is amazed. The story continues with many twists and turns but luckily for those who want to read the next book in the series, all the detectives survive, we believe. The stories in the Private Investigators Club series are "readers" for students of age eight or older. People of any age who are learning English as a Second Language may find them entertaining. This story discusses concepts that may be difficult for an eight year old to understand. Anyone interested in writing in English is invited to produce another story in the series. Details are provided on the Publisher's website. The Publisher wishes to encourage students to do creative writing and will accept submissions on any topic. Periodically, an eBook of submitted stories is published so this is one way for you to become an established author.

The Case of the Forgotten Fort is the sixth story in the Private Investigators Club series. If you have read the introductions to the other stories in the series, you will appreciate the fact that the young detectives like solving mysteries. The story starts with Bobby suggesting that they try to find out what the City of Brockville is hiding in the closed and locked railway tunnel under the city. That night they go exploring, break into the tunnel and find many items that they conclude the Department of Public Works is storing there. Mary gets caught as she leaves the tunnel and is forced to seal the others inside. Tommy's uncle, a detective on the police force, comes to her aid and releases the boys. However, some illegal activities are discovered and Mary is provided police protection. The story includes some police lingo, a police lineup and a police arrest. The story continues with many twists and turns but luckily for those who want to read the next book in the series, the young detectives survive and are instrumental in improving the tourist attractions to Brockville. The stories in the Private Investigators Club series are "readers" for students of age eight or older. People of any age who are learning English as a Second Language may find them entertaining. Anyone interested in writing in English is invited to produce another story in the series. Details are provided on the Publisher's website. The Publisher wishes to encourage students to do creative writing and will accept submissions on any topic. Periodically, an eBook of submitted stories is published so this is one way for you to become an established author.