Introduction to critical analysis
Critical thinking summary
When thinking critically you…
- Examine from different angles
- Check the accuracy of something
- Check the order of logic
- Check the relevance of the data
- Compare different points of view
- Assess the evidence
Critical thinking steps for completing assignments
When completing assignments…
- Develop your argument
- Read widely (and critically)
- Answer the question
- Plan your assignment
- Get formative feedback
What your tutors will look for
- Students who attempt to look critically at models/theories
- Analysis of reading rather than description
- Concise critical appraisal (with citations in support, where appropriate)
- Ability to see more than one side of an argument
- Comparison of sources and analysis
- Critical comment on the literature (author A takes this view in contrast to author B – what they both fail to account for fully is…; or an alternative interpretation can be offered by…)
What you will loose marks for
- Description rather than analysis (particularly from second year upwards)
- Presenting lots of bullet points instead of discussion
- Long bits of description which could be condensed into a sentence or two
- Not providing some sort of critique of, or reflection on, the work they’ve read (i.e. assuming because it’s in print it must be ‘right’)