Critical thinking & writing
This webpage will guide you through our new online critical thinking workshop. This is made up of seven videos with a number of self-paced activities for you to engage with. Which videos you will want to engage with will depend on your level of study and the table at the bottom of the page will help you navigate this.
Workshop description
Critical thinking is an essential skill for academic study and is probably one of the most transferable skills you will develop at university. This workshop will introduce you to the concept of critical thinking and how to apply it to your studies. During the workshop you will explore key definitions of critical thinking, the different levels of criticality, how to analyse sources critically and how to recognise, assess and write critical argument.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Explain in basic terms what critical thinking and critical writing mean
- Give examples of methods to develop critical thinking and critical writing skills
- Start applying critical thinking methods to your own studies
Who this workshop is for
Foundation and undergraduate students. If you are about to undertake your first assignment, have had feedback telling you to be more critical and/or want to improve future marks then this workshop can help you.
Facilitator
This workshop is run by an Academic & Library Specialist from the Brynmor Jones Library Skills Team.
Defining critical thinking [Video 1]
PowerPoint file
Defining critical thinking [Video 1]Activity
Consider the table at the bottom of this page and note which videos are appropriate to watch for your level of study.
Critical reading & source reliability [Video 2]
PowerPoint file
Critical reading & source reliability [Video 2]Activity
The video asks you to consider possible sources of information in a pandemic and what biases those sources may have. Reflect on this activity in relation to your next assignment.
Models of critical thinking [video 3]
PowerPoint file
Models of critical thinking [video 3]Activity
Look at an old piece of work to identify when you have been descriptive, analytical and/or evaluative.
Developing an argument and taking a position [Video 4]
PowerPoint file
Developing an argument & taking a position [Video 4]Activity
Look at the question at the end of the video and consider what position you would take and how you would defend it.
Structuring an argument [video 5]
PowerPoint file
Structuring an argument [video 5]Activity
This activity is embedded in the video. Consider the two paragraphs and try to identify which one is better.
The language of criticality [Video 6]
PowerPoint file
The language of criticality [Video 6]Activity
Use a newspaper or popular news website and see how many logical fallacies you can identify. Use the Logical Fallacies Poster to help you with this.
Building strong arguments [video 7]
PowerPoint file
Building strong arguments [Video 7]Activity
Look at one of our old assignments and see if you can identify any of the writing issues identified in this video.
Video level guide
|
# |
Title |
Study level |
|||
|
1 |
Defining critical thinking |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
2 |
Critical reading and source reliability |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
3 |
Models of critical thinking |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
4 |
Developing an argument and taking a position |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
5 |
Structuring an argument |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
6 |
The language of criticality |
6 |
7 |
||
|
7 |
Building strong arguments |
6 |
7 |
||
