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How to Write Academic English

Skills for Success / Academic Skills / How to Write Academic English

Showing Critical Thinking

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At university, critical thinking means going beyond descriptions and engaging with ideas at a deeper level. It involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and considering different perspectives to develop your understanding of complex issues.

How can you show in your writing that you are a critical thinker?

 

Practical Tips for Displaying Critical Thinking

Questioning Assumptions: Show that you don’t take information at face value and that you have asked yourself what assumptions underlie the arguments and whether they are justified. A couple of examples:

  • “While it is commonly assumed that…, it is important to consider whether…”
  • “This argument rests on the assumption that…, which may not hold true because…”


Show that you Evaluate Evidence: Critically assess the quality and relevance of the evidence you use. Consider the source, methodology, and context of the information. For example:

  • “The evidence provided by Smith (2020) is compelling; however, the sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalisability of the findings.”
  • “Although the study suggests X, the methodology used raises some concerns about Y”


Show that you have Analysed Arguments: Break down arguments into their component parts. Examine the logic and coherence of the reasoning, and identify any logical fallacies or weaknesses.  A couple of examples:

  • “The author’s argument is logically sound; however, it overlooks the potential impact of…”
  • “A critical flaw in this reasoning is that it fails to account for…”


Show that you have Compared Perspectives: Consider multiple viewpoints on an issue. Compare and contrast different theories, models, or approaches to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. For example:

  • “While Jones (2018) argues that…, Brown (2019) offers a contrasting perspective by suggesting that…”
  • “Comparing the theories of X and Y reveals that…, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.”


Show that you have Synthesised Information: Integrate information from various sources to create a comprehensive understanding. Show how different pieces of evidence and perspectives fit together to support your argument.  A couple of examples:

  • “By integrating the findings of multiple studies, it becomes evident that…”
  • “The synthesis of these sources suggests a more comprehensive understanding of…”


Show that you can Develop Your Argument: Build a clear and logical argument. Use evidence and reasoning to support your claims, and address counterarguments to demonstrate a balanced and thorough analysis.  A couple of examples:

  • “Given the evidence presented, it can be argued that…”
  • “This analysis leads to the conclusion that…, despite the counterarguments presented by…”


Show that you have Reflected on Implications: Consider the broader implications of your findings. What do they mean for the field of study, and what further questions do they raise?  A couple of examples:

  • “The implications of these findings are significant for…, suggesting that further research should explore…”
  • “This raises important questions about…, which could have broader impacts on…”


Show that you are aware of complexity by Using Cautious Language: Employ language that reflects critical thinking. Phrases like “this suggests that,” “it could be argued that,” and “a possible limitation is” show that you are being thoughtful and analytical.  A couple of examples:

  • “This suggests that there may be a correlation between…”
  • “It could be argued that this approach is limited by…”
  • “A possible limitation of this study is…”


You can also show your critical thinking with your references and the way you bring them in to your writing. More about this is in the previous section, Incorporating Sources and Using References.   

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