What is the first thing critical thinkers do when considering a work of art?

Critical thinking involves the following steps:

1. Defining what it is we want to determine

2. Putting aside instinctive, emotional responses

3. Collecting and analyzing all pertinent factors

4. Evaluating the work or the topic in its proper context

5. Forgetting how it relates only to you

6. Having an informed opinion.

The first think critical thinkers do, is to attempt to define the work of art they are looking at.