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LET’S GET CRITICAL: HOW WRITE CRITICALLY
WEBINAR GOALSDuring this webinar you will learn…
01 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘CRITICAL’?
02 WHEN DO WE USE IT
03 WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE
04 HOW TO WRITE CRITICALLY
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘CRITICAL’ IN ACADEMIA?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
a) To be ‘judgemental’ or ‘negative’
b) Think about the question you are trying
to answer
c) Expand on a point I’ve made
d) Think about how the idea is connected
with other ideas.
OUR DEFINITION
Critical thinking is not just thinking
passively and accepting everything you
see and hear. It involves thinking actively,
asking questions about what you see and
hear, evaluating, categorising, and finding
relationships.
ANOTHER DEFINITION
Thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of
thought, recognizing and assessing, as needs be, their
assumptions, implications, and practical
consequences.
(The Critical Thinking Community, 2015, para. 5)
Thinking about these definitions, have you ever been critical when reading, writing or thinking? What did you do
that made it critical?
CONCEPTUALISING CRITICAL THINKING- BLOOMS
DEFINITIONSWhen the assignment is asking us to:
We will now examine these critical elements in the next few slides.
Evaluate Assess the worth, importance or usefulness of something, using
evidence. There will probably be cases to be made both for and
against.
Synthesise Synthesising is a way of combining ideas and concepts from a variety of sources in order to comment on and illustrate common ideas or arguments for a particular topic.
Analyse Examine closely in terms of parts to see how and why they are related to each other. Do not just describe or summarise.
Critically reflect It involves thinking deeply, questioning your own and other’s beliefs and values in order to gain a thorough understanding of a situation or event. It also involves giving reasons for your opinions or results, analyse causes, and linking all of your reflections to the literature you have read.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Evaluate
The aim of coaching is to help clients achieve their goals (Millard, 2009; Sonn,
2010). The coaching approach outlined by Jones (2013) seems to be in conflict
with this aim. He suggests that coaches can influence their clients’ choice of
goals. This is a step too far in the coaching role, as it takes power away from the
client.
Where is the evidence of evaluation in this paragraph?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Evaluate
The aim of coaching is to help clients achieve their goals (Millard, 2009; Sonn,
2010). The coaching approach outlined by Jones (2013) seems to be in conflict
with this aim. He suggests that coaches can influence their clients’ choice of
goals. This is a step too far in the coaching role, as it takes power away from the
client.
Where is the evidence of evaluation in this paragraph?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Synthesise
Charisma can be a complex concept to define due to its application in many
different contexts. Jones (2004) suggests that it is an aspect of personality which
makes the individual irresistible to others, in terms of their ability to influence
and empower both individuals and communities. On the other hand, sources
such as Hindle (2017) and Bethel and Costa (2010) outline the nature of charisma.
They stress that individuals understand charisma if they are exposed to it, but find
it difficult to define.
Can you identify where the synthesis is here?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Synthesise
Charisma can be a complex concept to define due to its application in many
different contexts. Jones (2004) suggests that it is an aspect of personality which
makes the individual irresistible to others, in terms of their ability to influence
and empower both individuals and communities. On the other hand, sources
such as Hindle (2017) and Bethel and Costa (2010) outline the nature of charisma.
They stress that individuals understand charisma if they are exposed to it, but find
it difficult to define.
Can you identify where the synthesis is here?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Analyse
Mental illness is rarely caused by a single factor. In this case study, the client
appears to have attachment problems caused during childhood. These problems
may be influencing the client’s dependence on alcohol. In addition, the client’s
alcohol use seems to be negatively impacting her ability to maintain relationships
with others. Therefore, a negative cycle is in place.
What is analytical about this small paragraph?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Analyse
Mental illness is rarely caused by a single factor. In this case study, the client
appears to have attachment problems caused during childhood. These problems
may be influencing the client’s dependence on alcohol. In addition, the client’s
alcohol use seems to be negatively impacting her ability to maintain relationships
with others. Therefore, a negative cycle is in place.
What is analytical about this small paragraph?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Critically reflect
Example the balance between the descriptive words and the supporting evidence.
One of my core personal values is respect for others. My parents taught me from a young age that every person should be treated with respect no matter their age, education level, cultural background or social status. This very idea is at the core of social work and social
workers should always respect the dignity and worth of their clients (Reamer, 2016). In fact, Bisman (2014) argues that without values such as respect, the knowledge attained and skills used by social workers are meaningless. In my role as social worker, I will respectfully listen
to everyone’s personal story.
The blue is now supporting evidence. The green is the description. This example does link why the value of respect is important to social work and shows some supporting evidence.
https://sls.navitas-professional.edu.au/sites/default/files/resource/reflective_writing_language_guide_faqs_0.pdf
ACTIVITYRead the following paragraph from a student. How would you make this piece of writing more critical?
According to the Monash University (2018) childhood obesity costs the Australia economy $43.2 million a year. This is a significant amount, and it is clear that action needs to be taken to tackle this problem. Lempert (2005) suggests that marketing strategies used to promote food products are another underlying cause of the rise in childhood obesity. Hawkes (2007) suggests that another cause of obesity is insufficient exercise. Many documents explore how the rise in childhood obesity can be tackled, which explore the possible causes of childhood obesity, and suggest strategies both for prevention and treatment of the condition.
Modified from ‘Be more critical: A practical guide for health and social care students’ – Oxford Brookes University. (Woolliams, Williams, Butcher & Pye, 2009).
ACTIVITYWhich parts could be made more critical?
According to the Monash University (2018) childhood obesity costs the Australia economy $43.2 million a year. This is a significant amount, and it is clear that action needs to be taken to tackle this problem.. Lempert (2005) suggests that marketing strategies used to promote food products are another underlying cause of the rise in childhood obesity. Hawkes (2007) suggests that another cause of obesity is insufficient exercise. Many documents explore how the rise in childhood obesity can be tackled, which explore the possible causes of childhood obesity, and suggest strategies both for prevention and treatment of the condition.
Modified from ‘Be more critical: A practical guide for health and social care students’ – Oxford Brookes University. (Woolliams, Williams, Butcher & Pye, 2009).
Good topic sentence!
Good to include theory here, but could go further to outline what kind of study they did and why it was effective.
A second reference is nice, however, the teacher might ask, “How is this related to the previous point made?” “What is the significance of this information?
This is a bit vague. What strategies work and what don’t? Where is the evidence for this?
ACTIVITYA suggested improvement:
According to the Monash University (2018) childhood obesity costs the Australia economy $43.2 million a year. This is a significant amount, and it is clear that action needs to be taken to tackle this problem. Lempert (2005) conducted a large scale research project that examined the effects that marketing strategies use to promote food products, and it was found that marketing strategies can be an underlying cause of the rise in childhood obesity. However, marketing is not the only source of issue, as Hawkes (2007) suggests that another cause of obesity is insufficient exercise. These factors all contribute to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Although there are many causes for the issue of childhood obesity, it is important to explore strategies both for prevention and treatment of the condition.
Modified from ‘Be more critical: A practical guide for health and social care students’ – Oxford Brookes University. (Woolliams, Williams, Butcher & Pye, 2009).
The research findings and results have been explained and linked to the causes of the issue. *analysis*
Second reference linked to how it is related to the previous point made .*synthesis*
This now reads more as a transition between this paragraph on the causes, to the next paragraph which suggests will be about the strategies to prevent the condition.
What good
critical writers do
Research is weighed
against the fact of the
case
Weighing claims against other evidence
Clear line of reasoning
Conclusion is drawn based on
evidence
All sides of the argument are
considered
STRATEGIES FOR BEING MORE CRITICAL
1. Understand what is meant by ‘analyse’, ‘synthesise’, ‘evaluate’.
2. Engage in the research. For strategies on academic reading check
out our ‘Smart Reading Strategies’ webinar.
3. Ask ‘strategic’ questions (Who, what, when, where why?)
4. Try to aim for a balance of ‘descriptive’ and ‘critical’ language in your
writing
5. Apply caution and humility when challenging already established
positions.
E.G. “It could be argued that…” rather than “It is obvious that”.
6. Recognise the limitations in your own research
7. Ask your teacher or academic advisor about how to improve your
critical writing.
CONTACTYOUR FRIENDLY
STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT (SLS) TEAM
ACAP Brisbane students
(07) 3234 4426 [email protected]
ACAP Sydney and online students
(02) 8246 6866 [email protected]
ACAP Melbourne and Adelaide students
(03) 8327 [email protected]
Survey link
HOW DID WE DO?
PRESENTATION AND EVALUATION
We hope that you gained some useful knowledge from this webinar today that you
can apply effectively in your future academic studies. Tomorrow you will be sent an
email with the survey link, and links to these slides and other relevant materials.
We would love to get your feedback on this webinar to help us improve.
Please click on the link below to do our quick survey now (or do it tomorrow)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T120-Webinars
Thank You!
