Critical thinking and writing

1. Critical thinking and writing Argument versus description By Keith Barker-Jones

2. Overview Argument versus non-argument Involves critical thinking Descriptive Includes • Encapsulates • Analysis • Synthesis • Evaluation • Summaries • Explanations • Description Key terms • Position • Agreement • Disagreement • Argument Adapted from: Cottrell (2005)

3. Critical thinking This focuses on an argument Contributing argument Individual reasons within an argument Overall argument Composed of contributing arguments or reasons Line of reasoning Set of reasons or contributing arguments that support overall argument Adapted from: Cottrell (2005)

4. Key words Position A point of view Agreement To concur/agree with someone else Disagreement To hold a different point of view to someone else Argument Using reasons to support a point of view Adapted from: Cottrell (2005)

5. Domains of learning Cognitive Thinking Affective Attitude and values Psychomotor Practical/Movement/Physical skill acquisition

6. Bloom’s taxonomy In the cognitive domain • Knowledge • Comprehension • Application • Analysis • Synthesis • Evaluation Lower level cognitive skills Higher level cognitive skills

7. Evaluation Synthesis Analysis Application Comprehension Knowledge

8. Higher level cognitive skills Analysis Looks at evidence in a detailed & critical way. weighs up strengths & weaknesses of evidence (To zoom in) – Examine in detail Synthesis Transfer to situation/compare to another Situation Take a principle and apply to a unique situation (To zoom out) – To get a wider view

9. Higher level cognitive skills Evaluation To judge to the value of something In making a judgement you must incorporate a high level of critical thinking

10. List of references Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Basingstoke, Hampshire. Fifth Avenue, New York. Palgrave Macmillan.