Critical Thinking –and exam preparation

Gareth Davies

Shaun Wilden

What is an Argument?

What is an Argument?

What is an Argument?

In critical thinking we mean a line of reasoning that depends on persuasive evidence to provide support for the main idea.

…..is a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition

Understanding an argument

- Recognizing an author’s position - Identifying an argument - Breaking down an argument

A handout

What is an Argument?

- Recognizing an author’s position - Identifying an argument - Breaking down an argument

The Pied Piper played a magical pipe and the side of the mountain opened. He encouraged the children from the town to enter into the mountain, which closed behind them so they were lost forever. Their parents never saw them again and he intended this to be the case. The Pied Piper was angry at the townspeople because they refused to pay him for removing rats from the town. His action wasn’t accidental; it was one of revenge.

Paola is a student from Rome. She is interested in art and history and she’d like to work as a tour guide after she finishes school. She thinks it could be useful to learn something about her future profession from somebody with more experience.

Many students now take after-school jobs that involve working long hours. Some parents and teachers argue that these jobs are tiring for students and make it difficult for them to complete their school work. Others say that paying jobs are good experience for the future

Write an article for the school magazine stating your opinions.

Some parents and teachers are nowadays in fight. Some of them think that it’s difficult for students to complete the schoolwork and to go to their jobs, others say it’s a good experience.And what about me and my opinion?Because I went to afterschool job and I know how extremely difficult it is to continue it with school, I’ll definitely agree to let students do their schoolwork. I know that sometimes it’s necessary to do afterschool job, because parents don’t earn enough money, but if someone has the chance to give all his time preparing to school, he should take it.As as an example I can give me. I was doing my afterschool job for half a year………. So I advice to everybody, if you needn’t to take an afterschool job, don’t do it

© Cambridge UCLES

Critical thinking and exams:

- Helps understanding - ‘Required’ in many parts of the exam - Constructing an argument is key to communication - Teaching English is not just about teaching the systems but the skills to be able to break down and create a message.