Study Skills

Critical Writing

Study Skills, Information Services

October, 2009
You will need
Ice Breaker

What is the main difference between

written work in the professional

environment and the work you will be

submitting to University as an

assignment?
Aim
1. Understand the need to question
information and evidence your thoughts

2. Understand the rules of academic

writing

Critical Critical Improved

Thinking Writing Grades
 Critical
Thinking
Activity

In order to write effectively you need to

think critically.

Please text your understanding of the two

terms
Critical

Thinking
Answers

One dictionary definition

Critical
“making a careful judgement after balanced
consideration of all aspects of a topic”

Thinking
“the act or process of knowing”
Overview
A successful assignment should:-
• answer the question
• use appropriate format and language
• be grammatically correct and well
punctuated
• give a balanced and structured response
• use appropriate references
• match the assessment criteria
Fact or Opinion
Discuss

Windows 7 Operating System is an

improvement on Windows XP ?
Evidencing
Subjective  Objective
(personal & emotional)
Opinion - view or belief
Value judgement – often
negative & stereotypical
Fallacy – incorrect argument
Bias – emphasises one
viewpoint or position
Propaganda – incomplete
picture of an extreme view

(based on research)
Fact – piece of true information
Reality – authentic -
Truth – evidenced argument
Complete picture – avoid
absolutes e.g. always, never, all,
every
Non-extreme – balanced view
looks at all sides
Critical Thinking
The Process
• Identifying other people’s positions
• Evaluating the evidence
• Weighing up opposing arguments
• Read between the lines
• Recognising techniques
• Reflecting on issues
• Drawing conclusions
• Presenting a point of view
Academic
Writing
Definition

“the use of precise and objective

language to express ideas. It must
be grammatically correct, and is
more formal that the style used in
novels, newspapers, informal
correspondence and everyday
conversation.”
(McMillan & Weyers, 2007)
Rules

1. Answer the question

2. Appropriate vocabulary and language
3. Punctuation to help the reader
4. Objective / links theory to practice
5. Proof Read
1. Understand the
Question
Activity –
What do the following terms mean?

•Argue
•Summarise
•Explain
•Describe
Definitions
Argue
Give reasons or cite evidence in support of something
Summarise
Draw out the main points only, omitting details and
examples.
Explain
Make clear why something happened or why it is the way it
is.
Describe
Give the main characteristics or features of something, or
outline the main events.
Activity –
What type of message?

Read the example passages and identify whether

each is an example of:-
A = Argue
S = Summarise
E = Explain
D = Describe

Type your answer in the following format 1 = a

 Q1
The solar system is an inhospitable
place not just for humans but also
for machines. Despite this, over
8000 satellites and spacecraft were
launched into space from more
than 30 countries between 1957
and 2004. Over 350 people have
hurtled through space, not all
returning to earth. Launch sites
based near the equator, such as
that at Kourou in Guyana, enable
rockets to make best use of the
earth’s rotation.
Q2
New-born babies may lack the
capacity to monitor their own
breathing and body-temperature
during the first three months of
life. Babies who sleep alongside
their mothers could benefit from
learning to regulate their breathing
and sleeping, following the rhythm
of the parent. These babies wake
more frequently than those who
sleep alone. Moreover, mothers
who sleep next to their babies are
better able to monitor their child
for movement during the night.
Consequently, it may be safer for
new-born babies to sleep with their
parents.
 Q3
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is
set in Verona in Italy. At the
beginning of the play, Romeo is
pining for another young woman,
but quickly falls for Juliet at the
ball. Although their two families
are hostile to each other, Romeo
and Juliet enlist the services of
their friends and a friar to bring
about their marriage.
Unfortunately, in a tragic turn of
events, they each kill themselves,
believing the other to be already
dead.
Q4
It was not until 2003 that the first
Ice Age engravings of horses, red
deer and bison were discovered at
Cresswell Crags in Nottinghamshire,
England, However, the oversight
occurred partly because it was
assumed that such work was not to
be found in Britain. Indeed, in the
initial survey of the cave, the
experts did not notice the art that
surrounded them.
Answers

Q1 = Description – Key aspects of space

launches
Q2 = Argument – look at disadvantages
and advantages
Q3 = Summary – identifies the overall plot
without giving too many detailas
Q4 = Explanation – why this information
has been identified recently
3. Vocabulary and
Language
• Use the spell check (make sure that you
are using the English UK Version)

• Make sure that you use words in the

correct context – check synonyms if you
are not sure

• Be aware of homophones
http://www.bifroest.demon.co.uk/misc/homophones-list.html
Vocabulary

You need to think very carefully about your choice

of words and write very precisely.

For example the words ‘turn down’ can have

different meanings depending upon their usage.

‘Turn down’ can mean ‘reduce’ referring to volume

or ‘reject’ as in offers.

By using ‘reduce’ or ‘reject’ your writing would be

clearer, more concise and less ambiguous.
Confusing Words

necessary neccessary
comittment commitment
parrallel parallel
acceptable acceptible
acommodate accommodate
experience experience
Ocasionaly occasionally

http://www.yourdictionary.com/library/misspelled.html
Vocabulary to Avoid

• contractions it’s, they’re, haven’t

• abbreviations e.g. i.e. etc.

• acronyms BCS (acronym)

3. Punctuation

Incorrect use of punctuation can change the

meaning of a sentence:

The Panda Eats Shoots and Leaves

Punctuation

Students’ refuse to go in the bin

The litter produced by the students is to
go into the bin.

Students refuse to go in the bin

The students will not go in the bin.
4. Objective
Your personal involvement with a topic
must not impinge upon the importance of
what you are commenting on.
• use impersonal language -
• NOT I / me / one / you / we / us
• use the passive voice –
• write about the action not about the
person doing the action
• reference
Personal Pronouns

I chose MS Excel for my assignment.

MS Excel was chosen for this assignment.
I will argue in this essay
This essay will explain the arguments
The author says that
It can be illustrated/explained that
I believe that the business strategy was poorly
designed.
Evidence would suggest that the strategy …
Critical Writing
Draws together your critical research and presents
a case to the reader.
• Sets the scene well
• Summarise key points
• Weighs up relative strengths and weaknesses
of evidence
• Signpost – use recognisable words and
phrases
• Follow a clear line of reasoning
• Present a clear conclusion, ensuring that it is
clear how you arrived at your judgement or
conclusion
Want to know
more?
• Try our Quiz

• Skim some of the books suggested

• Try an interactive online quiz eg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/

• Read

• Practice
Pause for Thought

I keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I know);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
(Rudyard Kipling)
 6. Accurate

Eye halve a spelling chequer As soon as a mist ache is maid

It came with my pea sea It nose bee fore two long
It plainly marques four my revue And eye can put the error rite
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea. Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye strike a key and type a word Eye have run this poem threw it
And weight four it two say I am shore your pleased two no
Weather eye am wrong oar write Its letter perfect awl the weigh
It shows me strait a weigh. My chequer tolled me sew.
Proof Reading

Improve your studying by:-

• realising the importance of developing a

strategic approach to both editing and
proof reading

• accepting that it is worth spending time

improving as it really does make a
difference to your grades and future
employment

Answers
Stages of
Production
Compose

DO NOT try to
cut corners –
your work and Proof Read Assignment Draft

your grades
will suffer.

Edit
Learning Outcomes

You should now understand the need to:

• Think critically

• Evidence your thoughts

• Write effectively
REMEMBER

“When something can

be read without effort,
great effort has gone
into its writing.”
Enrique Jardiel Poncela (Spanish writer, 1901-1952)
References

Brookfield, S. (1987). Developing Critical Thinkers:

challenging adults to explore alternative ways of thinking
and acting. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Cottrell, S. (2005). Critical Thinking Skills: developing

effective analysis and argument. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan Limited.

Price, G., & Maier, P. (2007). Effective Study Skills: unlock

your potential. Harlow: Pearson Publications Limited.