Critical writing at postgrad level - University of Sussex · Critical writing at postgrad level...

Critical writing at postgrad level

Cath Senker

Author, editor, RLF Consultant Fellow

To raise your level to postgraduate standard, work to develop your own voice as a writer.

1 The transition from UG to PG

!  Becoming a researcher !  Scholarly sources – reading widely !  Mostly primary sources !  Deeper and more critical engagement with

subjects/ideas !  Develop your own perspective !  Well-structured assignments !  Accurate referencing

2 Finding your voice

!  Become aware of current knowledge in your field

– read broadly – synthesise information: group related arguments

– consider where you stand

Adapted from Birkbeck University London

2 Finding your voice !  Contribute personally to knowledge

in your field – creative thinking – present info in a new way, e.g.

Apply previous research to a new problem Prove a thesis with your evidence Compare and contrast materials in new way Apply a grand theory Be passionate!

Adapted from Birkbeck University London

Critical reading strategy 1 Understanding

!  What are the key points? !  What’s the relationship between them? !  Relevance to your topic? !  Be aware of the epistemologies (ways

of knowing) used, e.g. work experience, quantitative research, culture specific

2 Questioning !  How successfully are the points made? !  Does the author use reasoning and debate

to argue their case? !  Is the argument backed up with solid

evidence from appropriate sources? !  Is the writing balanced or biased towards a

particular viewpoint? !  What are the author’s underlying values?

3 Evaluating !  Compare with other perspectives on the topic. !  Identify strengths and weaknesses:

How robust are the arguments for / against? !  Do they fit with professional literature?

Show you’re informed – draw on the literature to demonstrate any weaknesses.

!  Arguments useful? Can you apply them to your topic?

!  Any amendments that would make them more useful?

Good analytical writing !  You’re in charge – make

your point in the topic sentence

!  Bring in evidence. !  Explain and evaluate the

evidence. !  Conclude your point

Further help !  Go to Skills Hub – information on research and writing !  Book a one-to-one tutorial with a Royal Literary Fund

Writing Fellow: www.sussex.ac.uk/library/guides/rlf !  Study skills for taught postgrads:

www.sussex.ac.uk/skillshub/?id=301 !  Postgraduate study skills guide from the Open

University http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/postgraduate-study-skills.php

!  Video on critical thinking and scholarly writing www.academia.edu/4480218/Critical_Thinking_and_Scholarly_Writing