Critical Writing 1

Summary

This video serves as an introduction to critical writing, offering a beginner's guide for students at UWS. It explains the importance of objective analysis in academic writing, emphasizing the need to weigh both merits and faults when forming judgments. The video outlines how to approach assignment questions, focusing on command words and restriction phrases to guide your writing. It also highlights the importance of using credible, peer-reviewed sources, connecting ideas, and structuring your writing to clearly present critical analysis. The guide encourages students to stay focused on assignment objectives and offers resources for further improvement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Critical writing is about objective analysis, weighing evidence, and forming a reasonable conclusion.
• 😀 Criticality involves both assessing positives and negatives of a topic to form a balanced, logical judgment.
• 😀 Critical writing skills are similar to making informed decisions in daily life, such as choosing a product after weighing evidence.
• 😀 Command words in assignment questions (e.g., discuss, evaluate) guide what kind of critical analysis is required.
• 😀 Restriction words in assignment questions help narrow the scope and keep the analysis focused.
• 😀 It's essential to thoroughly understand the assignment question and the topic before proceeding with research and writing.
• 😀 Academic sources like peer-reviewed journals and textbooks are recommended for critical writing because they are reliable and well-supported.
• 😀 Good critical writing requires not only gathering information but also analyzing connections and relationships between ideas.
• 😀 Avoid regurgitating information; instead, highlight links between ideas, noting similarities, contradictions, and extensions of thought.
• 😀 The strength of the evidence should guide the structure and focus of your writing, emphasizing stronger evidence and minimizing weaker points.
• 😀 Always ensure that each paragraph in your writing relates to the assignment question or objectives and clearly demonstrates its connection to the main topic.

Q & A

What does the term 'critical' mean in academic writing?

In academic writing, 'critical' refers to an analytical approach that involves evaluating both the merits and faults of a subject. It focuses on objective analysis, using facts and evidence to reach a reasonable judgment.

How is critical thinking used in everyday life?

Critical thinking in everyday life can be seen when making decisions, like purchasing a new computer. You analyze your needs, weigh up different options, and make a choice based on evidence, similar to how critical writing works in academic settings.

What are 'command words' in assignment questions?

Command words are terms like 'discuss,' 'assess,' 'define,' 'evaluate,' and 'compare' used in assignment questions to guide how you should approach your analysis. These words tell you the type of critical analysis expected in your answer.

What role do 'restriction words' play in an assignment?

Restriction words, such as 'in x context' or 'within x profession,' limit the scope of your writing, keeping it focused on a specific area of a larger topic. These words help you narrow down your focus for a more effective response.

Why are academic journals and books recommended as sources of information?

Academic journals and books are peer-reviewed, meaning they have been evaluated by experts for accuracy and reliability. They also present their research process, making it easier to critically assess how conclusions were reached.

What is the difference between critical writing and simply regurgitating information?

Critical writing involves analyzing and linking ideas, rather than just listing them. It shows how different pieces of information connect and evaluates the evidence, rather than merely repeating what authors have said.

How should connections between different pieces of information be presented in critical writing?

Connections between pieces of information should be made explicit to the reader. Use phrases like 'supports,' 'contradicts,' or 'extends' to show how ideas relate to one another and guide the reader through the analysis.

What is meant by 'balance of evidence' in critical writing?

The balance of evidence refers to the strength of the evidence supporting different sides of an argument. Critical writing should reflect the evidence, dedicating more time and space to well-supported arguments and less to weaker ones.

How should conclusions be drawn in critical writing?

Conclusions in critical writing should summarize how the balance of evidence weighs up. They often involve recommending one approach or idea over another, based on a thorough analysis of the evidence presented.

Why is it important to link every paragraph back to the assignment question?

Linking each paragraph back to the assignment question ensures that your writing stays focused and directly addresses the core objectives of the assignment. It helps maintain coherence and keeps the reader aligned with your argument.