Improve your critical thinking with this simple technique

E-Prime (short for English Prime) is the practice of not using any form of the verb "to be" in order to avoid erroneous and irrational generalizations in language and thought. Avoiding the use of the verb "to be" makes it harder to confuse a statement of opinion with a statement of fact.

Luciano Passuello provides some benefits and examples for using E-Prime in his post Sharpen Your Critical Thinking With E-Prime:

It exposes opinions disguised as facts

No: "This is a stupid idea."
Yes: "I utterly dislike this idea!"

It promotes higher accuracy and exposes hidden assumptions

No: "Jack is smart."
Yes: "Jack scored 140 on his IQ test."

It reveals the (fallible) observer

No: "The Earth is round."
Yes: "The Earth looks round."

It avoids premature judging and labeling

No: "Mary is Christian."
Yes: "Mary believes in the existence of Christ."