Critical Thinking

Ask yourself relevant questions as you are gathering information for an assignment e.g.

•  Why did this happen and when?
•  Who did this information come from?
•  So what? Implications and other perspectives.
•  Are the research results meaningful?
•  Is there any obvious bias or un-conscious bias in the source?

As you create answers you can take each new idea further, asking the same questions to drill deeper into the subject. This will help you structure your assignment. Try and include opposing ideas and make sure your own bias doesn’t show.

To take this a bit further try to:

• Think about a topic or issue in an objective and critical way.

• Identify the different arguments there are in relation to a particular issue.

• Evaluate a point of view to determine how strong or valid it is.

• Recognize any weaknesses or negative points that there are in the evidence or argument.

• Notice what implications there might be behind a statement or argument.

• Provide structured reasoning and support for an argument that we wish to make.