Critical Thinking, Writing and Analysis Module

Critical Thinking, Writing and Analysis

Welcome to this online module, designed to help you develop essential skills in critical thinking, analytical reading, argument mapping and critical writing. In academic work, these skills enable you to engage with texts deeply, evaluate arguments rigorously, and present your ideas in a clear, persuasive manner. The content you see here is based on a comprehensive presentation and has been expanded to include detailed explanations and interactive activities for your learning.

1. Understanding Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, involving reflective and independent thought. It means not accepting ideas at face value but instead actively questioning, evaluating evidence, and weighing arguments. In academic work, this approach helps you get as near as possible to the truth by assessing the validity of claims, recognising assumptions, and considering alternative perspectives.

Developing a critical mindset involves practising reflective reasoning, logical argumentation and the ability to criticise ideas constructively. It is the foundation of scholarly research and professional practice, ensuring that your conclusions are well informed and evidence based.

Activity 1: Reflecting on Critical Thinking

Think of a recent article, opinion piece or debate you encountered. Reflect on these questions:
• What was the main conclusion the author or speaker was trying to establish?
• What reasons or evidence did they offer in support of that conclusion?
• Did you identify any assumptions or gaps in the argument?

Write a short reflection (around 150–200 words) summarising your analysis of the argument.

2. Reading Critically

Reading critically goes beyond simply understanding words on a page; it requires an active engagement with the text. This means analysing how an author constructs their argument, evaluating the quality and credibility of the evidence presented, and recognising the broader context in which the argument sits.

When reading academic texts, ask yourself:
• What are the author’s main claims?
• How are these claims supported by evidence or reasoning?
• Are there any alternative interpretations or missing viewpoints?

This active reading approach helps you develop your own perspective and ensures that you are not passively accepting information.

Activity 2: Critical Reading Exercise

Select an academic article or essay related to your field. As you read, note down:
1. The central argument or thesis of the text.
2. The key points or premises the author uses to support the argument.
3. Your evaluation of the strength and credibility of the evidence provided.

Afterwards, write a one-page summary outlining your critical analysis of the text.

3. Analysing and Mapping Arguments

Arguments are at the heart of academic debate. An argument consists of a set of statements where one of them is the conclusion (the claim the writer wants you to accept) and the others are premises (reasons provided to support the conclusion). Recognising and understanding this structure is key to effective analysis.

To analyse an argument, start by identifying its components. Ask yourself: Which statements are being offered as evidence and which statement is the conclusion? Once you have identified these, order the parts into what is known as the standard form and create an argument map—a visual diagram that illustrates how the premises connect to the conclusion. This mapping process can also help you spot independent versus dependent premises, and see if there are any intermediate conclusions that form stepping stones to the final conclusion.

For example, consider the argument: “Joining your local gym is a good idea because regular exercise helps you lose weight, improves your health, and gym memberships are more affordable than ever.” Here, the premises include the benefits of regular exercise and the cost-effectiveness of gym memberships, which together support the conclusion.

Example: P1: Regular exercise aids in weight loss. P2: Regular exercise promotes overall health. P3: Gym memberships are now affordable. Therefore, joining your local gym is a good idea.

Activity 3: Argument Mapping

Find an editorial or opinion piece and choose one central argument. Then:
1. List the premises and the conclusion.
2. Create an argument map on paper or using a digital tool.
3. Analyse if the premises logically and sufficiently support the conclusion.

Discuss your findings with a peer or tutor to receive feedback on your argument mapping.

4. Evaluating Arguments: Logic and Truth Conditions

Once you have mapped an argument, it is essential to evaluate it against two conditions:

Logic Condition: This examines whether the conclusion follows logically from the premises. In other words, even if the premises are true, does the structure of the argument guarantee the conclusion?

Truth Condition: This involves assessing the credibility and reliability of the premises. Are the premises supported by evidence, and can they be independently verified?

For instance, in an argument about developing alternative energy sources because oil is finite, you must examine whether the premise is well supported by factual data and whether the conclusion indeed follows from the scarcity of oil.

Activity 4: Evaluating an Argument

Consider the argument:
"There is a finite amount of oil in the world; therefore, we must develop alternative energy sources immediately."
Break down the argument by:
1. Identifying the premise(s) and the conclusion.
2. Discussing whether the conclusion logically follows from the premise.
3. Evaluating the credibility of the premise. What evidence might support or challenge it?

Write a brief evaluation (around 200–250 words) summarising your analysis.

5. From Analysis to Critical Writing

Critical writing is the process of transforming your analytical insights into a coherent and persuasive essay. Unlike descriptive writing, which merely recounts information, critical writing involves analysing, inferring, and constructing your own arguments based on evidence. This means not only describing what others have said, but also evaluating and synthesising that information to express your own reasoned view.

An effective academic essay generally follows a structured format:

Introduction: Set the scene by defining the topic, outlining key debates and establishing your thesis. It is important to signpost your argument so the reader knows what to expect.

Main Body: Develop your argument across several paragraphs. Each should present a clear point, supported by evidence and analysis. Using argument maps can help organise and clarify your reasoning.

Conclusion: Recapitulate the core points of your argument and discuss the broader implications, ensuring your final stance is clearly communicated.

Activity 5: Drafting an Essay Outline

Choose a topic relevant to your studies and create an outline for an argumentative essay that includes:
• A clear introduction with a defined thesis and a roadmap for your argument.
• Several main body sections, each detailing a part of your argument using evidence and analysis.
• A conclusion that synthesises your arguments and reflects on their implications.

Once you have your outline, write an introductory paragraph (approximately 300 words) that establishes your topic, defines key terms and presents your thesis.

6. Editing and Refining Your Writing

Effective writing is as much about revision as it is about initial drafting. Editing involves reviewing your work to enhance clarity, conciseness and precision. To refine your writing, consider the following techniques:

Take a break: Set your work aside for a few days before revising so you can review it with fresh eyes.

Print your draft: Sometimes, reading a hard copy can help you identify awkward phrasing or unclear ideas that you might miss on screen.

Read aloud: This helps to catch errors in flow and sentence structure.

Focus on clarity: Ensure every sentence has a clear subject and that ideas are presented in a logical order. Eliminate unnecessary words that do not add value.

Activity 6: Editing Practice

Select a paragraph from a previous assignment. Use the editing techniques discussed to rewrite it for improved clarity and conciseness. Compare your original version with the revised one and note the changes you made.

7. Conclusion and Further Resources

This module has guided you through the core concepts of critical thinking, analytical reading, argument mapping and critical writing. By engaging with these topics and completing the activities, you should now be better equipped to analyse texts and construct well-founded academic arguments.

For further development of these skills, explore the following resources:

The Critical Thinker Academy
The Argument Ninja Dojo
Your university’s academic skills centre online resources and workshops.

Your feedback is important. Please share your thoughts about this module using the feedback form available on our website. Continue practising these skills in your academic work, and remember that developing critical thinking is an ongoing process that enriches both your studies and future professional endeavours.

Happy Learning!

Workshop resources

Argumentation presentation (Download as PDF)

Links and further reading

Kevin deLaplante - The Critical Thinker Academy
All of Kevin deLaplante’s videos are aimed at the general student, and cover a wide variety of critical thinking topics.  His full range of courses is available at his Critical Thinker Academy website. 

criticalthinkeracademy.com
argumentninja.com
Basic CONCEPTS in Logic & Argumentation (12 videos)
Common Valid and Invalid Argument Forms (9 videos)
Critical Thinking about Science (12 videos)
A+ Essays: A Structured Approach to Successful Essay Writing (25 videos)
How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay (12 videos)
Gregory Sadler - Critical Thinking Programme, Fayetteville State University
Picked from a mammoth collection of philosophy video tutorials, this is a YouTube playlist of 24 lectures, recorded live with students.  These are very accessible and address the core concepts of argumentation, building slowly to a full understanding.
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reasonio.wordpress.com
CRITICAL THINKING PROGRAMME, FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, 2011 (24 videos)