Critical Thinking and Thesis Development

1. Critical Thinking and Thesis Development Kayla Skarbakka Writing Consultant Walden University Writing Center

2. Housekeeping • Muting • Questions • Tech trouble? http://support.citrixonline.com/en_US/GoToTraining • Recording: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/415.htm

3. Agenda • Critical reading • Critical thinking • Thesis development • Analysis • Additional suggestions • Synthesis • Paraphrasing

4. Question 1 What do you think critical reading involves? Check all that apply. • Evaluating sources as I read them. • Always criticizing other authors. • Thinking about how my research relates to my topic.

5. Critical Reading Interacting with the texts that you are reading.

6. Critical Reading Judge of scholarly text

7. Critical Reading Scholar in academic community

8. Critical Reading Agrees: all TV should be censored Completely disagrees: TV should never be censored The Real World should be censored To a certain extent

9. Critical Thinking Using your research and evaluations to develop your argument and form a focused, cohesive narrative

10. Critical Thinking According to Kurland (2000), critical thinking involves six key characteristics: • Rationality • Self-awareness • Honesty • Open-mindedness • Judgment • Discipline

11. Critical Thinking: Judgment Allows you to: • Evaluate your sources • Form an argument based on your research • Determine what will help support your argument (what is and is not useful)

12. Critical Thinking: Discipline Allows you to: • Define the scope of your paper • Maintain your objectivity • Maintain focus

13. Importance of Critical Thinking Show that you can not only learn information but also useit to create new research/ideas and make a difference in the world

14. Critical Thinking: Analogy What does not involve critical thinking?

15. Critical Thinking: Analogy Don’t be a penguin. Instead of regurgitating the fish, play around with it and create something new and exciting.

16. Recap

17. Demonstrating Critical Thinking • Thesis statement • Analysis • Synthesis • Paraphrasing

18. Question 2 What is a thesis statement? A. The overall topic or subject of a paper B. A statement of your central argument or purpose C. A dissertation or capstone paper on a particular subject D. A concluding thought at the end of a paper

19. Thesis: Definitions • “a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, esp. one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections” (Dictionary.com, 2009). • “a position or proposition which a person advances and offers to maintain, or which is actually maintained by argument” (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary,1998). • “a treatiseadvancing a new point of view resulting from research” (Princeton University, 2006). * presenting an argument * capable of advancement

20. Thesis: An Argument? • In his article, Jefferson (2003) insisted that The Real World was responsible for corrupting the mind of America’s youth. • The purpose of this paper is to consider the positive and negative ways that women are portrayed in The Real World. • The Real World reinforces gender inequality in America, suggesting that women are not just avid consumers, but consumables as well.

21. Thesis: Capable of Advancement? • The Real World should not be censored. • There are many reasons to censor the content that appears on The Real World. • The FCC has the right to limit the content that appears on The Real World incases where the show depicts overtly sexist images. A failure to address such issues would suggest that American society approves of such views.

22. Thesis: Capable of Advancement? The FCC has the right to limit the content that appears on The Real World in cases where the show depicts overtly sexist images.A failure to address such issues would suggest that American society approves of such views. I. Examples of sexual objectification in The Real World. II. Consequences of sexual objectification in The Real World. III. Argument that censorship is warranted in situations with such dire consequences (may included counterarguments) IV. Suggestion that these unchecked images and consequences define the society that refuses to condemn them. Conclusion: If a society is defined by its actions (or inactions), then the FCC should reserve the right to limit sexist images in The Real World.

23. Thesis: Extra Tip Thesis Mad Libs • In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____. • While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______. • Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______. * These models are for drafting purposes only and shouldn’t appear in your final work.

24. Question 3 Which sentence best fits the definition of a thesis statement? A. By discussing curriculum components, I will show how revisions will improve student achievement. B. My purpose in this paper is to discuss curriculum components. C. This paper discusses curriculum components.

25. Analysis • Your own interpretation of other authors’ ideas • Ensures that you’re not just summarizing your research, but using it to support your argument • How you’ll support your thesis statement throughout your paper • Important to include in every paragraph

26. Analysis MEAL plan: • Main idea: topic sentence • Evidence: information from your sources to support your main idea • Analysis: explanation of the evidence/discussion of its relevance in light of your thesis statement • Lead out: conclusion (Duke University's Thompson Writing Program, n.d.)

27. Analysis • Examples of sexual objectification in The Real World. • Main idea: Many examples of sexual objectification • Evidence: List of examples (e.g., scenes, images, and quotes from the show) • Analysis: Discussion of how these examples demonstrate objectification; interpretation of these examples for your reader • Lead out: Hint at the significance of those examples

28. Question 4 How might does the MEAL plan help you as you writing? Select all that apply. A. It helps ensure my paragraphs are well developed. B. It helps me revise my writing. C. It helps me see where I need to add analysis of my evidence.

29. Synthesis • Combining independent elements to form a cohesive whole • Involves • Critical analysis of sources • Comparing and contrasting what the authors have to say • Evaluating and interpreting that information

30. Synthesis • Not synthesis: “X argued A. Y said B. Z suggested C.” • Synthesis: “X argued A. Y supported X’s argument by stating B. Z, however, offered an opposing view, noting that, while A may be true, B does not necessarily follow. Rather, C.” • Like a dinner party

31. Not Synthesis Synthesis is NOT: • Organization based solely on authors • A summary of your sources Author C Author A Author B

32. Not Synthesis According to Peterson (2008), 83% of teenagers claimed that reality television had no impact on their perception of sexuality or gender. Carol (2010) noted that teenagers who watched an hour or more of reality television per day reported a higher dissatisfaction in their relationships with the opposite gender than did teenagers who watch little or no reality television.

33. Synthesis Synthesis is: • Organized thematically • Focused on the relationships between authors B C B C censorship A A Reality TV Sexual objectification A C B

34. Synthesis While Peterson (2008) noted that the vast majority of teenagers do not believe that reality television affects their perception of sexuality or gender, Carol (2010) found contrasting evidence that frequently watching reality television can negatively affect relationships with the opposite gender. These conflicting views suggest the possibility that teenagers are simply not aware of the negative influences of reality television.

35. Question 5 Synthesis involves which of the following? Select all that apply. A. Presenting one source per paragraph. B. Comparing and contrasting information from sources. C. Integrating source information together. D. Summarizing sources.

36. Paraphrasing • Placing ideas or information from a source in your own words • Always preferable to directly quoting • Your author wants to read your words, not someone else’s • Condense, reframe, restructure, and reinterpret the author’s idea to fit your own purpose

37. Red Flags • Use of sources of questionable credibility. • Websites • Opinion pieces • Sources or studies sponsored by an organization with a vested interest. • Restatement of a study’s findings. • Lack of argument • Ideas supported with a single source. • Extensive quotes.

38. Recap • Don’t be a penguin! • Interact with your research by asking critical questions • Your thesis should be specific, arguable, and capable of advancement • Use analysis to advance your central argument throughout your paper • Use synthesis and paraphrasing to demonstrate critical thinking throughout your writing

39. Resources On our website: • Critical reading • Thesis statements • Paragraphs • Paraphrasing • Webinars

40. Questions? writingsupport@waldenu.edu