CRITICAL THINKING

CRITICAL THINKING

1. Organising Your Critique

   • Once you have researched and gathered together relevant points to support your critique, it is timely to give some thought to the way this material will be organised and packaged in your writing.
     • Supporting points fi rst followed by opposition’s points
       • The advantage with this strategy is that your points are given primacy, and you begin your argument on a strong footing.
       • This structure also allows you to mention the strength of your point of view twice: once at the beginning, and a second time when you minimise the criticisms against your point
     • Opposition’s points fi rst followed by supporting points
       • The final information accessed by the reader constitutes the strength of your position.
     • Most central to least central
       • Within this structure, the focus is on the particular order in which to present each of your supporting points.
     • Least central to most central
       • Within this structure, the focus is on the particular order in which to present each of your supporting points.

2. Hierarchy in Assessment Tasks

   • Knowledge
     • this represents a basic level of competence expected in assessment through the recalling, naming, and identifying of facts, theories, and concepts.
   • Comprehension
     • his is fundamental to answering any test, exam, and written assessment because it is about the demonstration of understanding, which goes beyond mere recall and identification.
   • Application
   • Analysis
     • this integrates many of the levels already covered in terms of identifying relevant and applicable knowledge, and providin
   • Synthesis
     • his is one of the most difficult educational objectives or levels, and, as such, is likely to be awarded more marks than earlier objectives.
   • Evaluation
     • More than any other objective, evaluation involves making a judgement about the value

3. What is Available for Critique

   • you can start with the very topic addressed by the authors and whether or not it appropriately deals with the concerns and issues that need to be discusse
     • Political context
     • Cultural
     • Within a wider social

4. Steps for Developing Critical Thought

   • Consider the advantages and disadvantages pertaining to an issue.
   • Make up a list of the strengths and weaknesses or limitations surrounding a topic.
   • Carry out a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.
   • Write down the costs and benefi ts of a solution or outcome.

5. lthough being critical is one of the most diffi cult and elusive aspects of academic writing, it is a feature that can gain high rewards. Indeed, critiquing theories, arguments, and evidence

6. Getting an A on Your Assignment

   • Scope of Assignment
   • Evidence of Reading
   • Structure
   • Presentation
     • Integrating additional references beyond those assigned in the course, which are included in your assignment to demonstrate new points, or extend and reinforce other points.