This presentation is designed to welcome visitors to the STUDYSmarter Critical Thinking Corner. It includes an overview of strategies for critical thinking, reading and writing at university.
8. 1. What did you notice? Did you notice … There are far more women than men… The men are using their hands the most… Only one person appears to address the camera… A fairly ordinary classroom photo … or is it?
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11. 1. Be sceptical about ‘the facts’ Because critical thinkers consider HOW and WHY ideas make sense, what is written on the page is more like a starting point than a simple ‘fact.’ What is written in your readings or said in lectures is a springboard for your thinking!
23. 2. Do I have to read everything? There is a lot of literature being published all the time – it would be impossible to read all of it, or even a lot of it! The fact is … The truth is … Awareness of your thinking and interpretation is crucial to good scholarship. Writing is a process of thinking, so write early and often. This helps you offer new, rigorous arguments and ideas.
24. 2. A note to remember Critical thinking skills are developed and honed over a long period of time. Welcome your ‘slip-ups’ or mistakes: they are tools that will help you learn and understand more!