Critical Analysis Tips Tricks and Basic Skills A
Critical Analysis: Tips, Tricks and Basic Skills A Combination of Skills Producing a piece of work that demonstrates high levels of critical analysis means you need to develop three core skills: Sub-Skills Critical analysis is a term that encompasses a broad range of more specific skills. It may help you to break the concept down and develop an understanding of its parts. You can then concentrate on developing one or two specific skills at a time in order to improve the whole. These specific skills include (but are not limited to): ‘Critical thinking may be defined as a form of intelligent criticism which helps people to reach independent and justifiable conclusions about their experiences’ (Moran, A. P. (1997) Managing Your Own Learning at University College, Dublin. ) • Deconstruction, evaluation • Conceptualisation (to form an idea/ picture/ understanding of something in your mind) • Constructing and developing a cohesive and coherent argument • Comparing, contrasting, debating, making links and recognising connections • Inferring and deducing • Detecting inconsistencies and problems in reasoning • Reflecting upon the justification of your own beliefs and perspectives • Applying, demonstrating and illustrating • The ability to think clearly and rationally • The ability to think independently and in an original way. • Appraisal, defence, justification • Supporting, providing evidence, prioritising • Concluding, suggesting, balancing. Developing critical analysis is the key to achieving higher grades in your academic work. When you are given feedback it may contain comments such as “this is too descriptive” or “your work needs a greater level of critical analysis”. Yet many students don’t actually know what this means. Here you will find some approaches to help you unravel the meaning behind the feedback and help you to improve your next piece of work. Questions and Answers Asking the best possible questions in the best possible order. Effective critical analysis relies on critical thinking which in turn relies on being able to ask questions and answer them. Use the following question types to help you ask your own questions. Why? What next? Question your Question When you are given a question, title or assignment break it down into its component parts; reframe it; create from it a series of sub-questions; explore it from a number of angles and consider possible interpretations. Don’t assume you need to take it face-value; if it’s relevant you can challenge what you are being asked. What? Q’s So what? What if? How? Who? Where? Links to Prior Learning Do you remember this? Point, Evidence, Explain, Expand, Explore. You have probably come across the very basic principles of critical analysis before. The key now is to develop, improve, add depth, use a wider range of evidence and construct more complex arguments. The basic principles remain the same though: • • Make your point Provide evidence to support it Explain it Expand it and explore it by comparing, contrasting, breaking down, offering multiple interpretations, analysing and evaluating. Possible questions ü What is the central idea in this text? ü What arguments is the author making? ü Who has written this? Where has it come from? ü What is the standpoint expressed? ü How has the central argument been constructed? ü How have the authors reached their conclusions? ü What is the source of the material? ü Why has a particular standpoint been adopted? ü What are the implications? ü How does this link to other ideas/ research/ approaches? ü What is the evidence used? ü What conclusions have been drawn? Why? ü What is the impact?
Planning for Critical Analysis When planning your assignments it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what you are going to write about (the content) rather than how you are going to write about it (which promotes and supports critical analysis). When planning for critical analysis try to do the following: Identify the focus. Make sure you understand what is being asked of you and respond thoughtfully to the assessment brief. Identify your own point-of-view, argument and standpoint. Quick self- assessment Self-assess your work against this quick checklist. Are you being analytical or descriptive in your approach? Description Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Gives information States what happened Gives the story so far Says how to do something Notes the methods used Explains how something works Says when something occurred Presents ideas one after the other States links between items. Analysis ü ü ü ü ü Draws conclusions Explores significance Evaluates one piece of information against another Argues a case according to the evidence Analyses the methods used Identifies why the timing is of importance Structures information in order of importance Contrasts information and demonstrates relevance Considers alternate perspectives and engages in debate. Work out how you will present your point-of-view in away that will convince your reader. Back-up your arguments with good quality, wide ranging evidence. Look at both sides of the argument, engage in a debate, offer alternate perspectives/ interpretations and evaluate. Consider which standpoint is the most convincing and why. Concentrate on structure, paragraphing and development. Structure your material so that it has a logical sequence. Questions for the critical reader: üWhat is the author taking for granted about this subject? ü Is the argument logical? üWhat effect is the author attempting to create in the reader’s mind, and why? üWhat style of writing and language choices have been used? Why? üAre there alternative arguments/perspectives to those being presented? üWhat sources have been used to support the argument? üHow does the material relate to the questions you will be addressing in your own writing? How can I develop my critical writing? Improving and developing your writing skills is a life-long process. No one is ever perfect! However, there are plenty of ways that you can help yourself to develop and improve: Read widely and critically. Reading of appropriate textbooks and journals will help you to become familiar with the genres and styles of writing appropriate to your subject area. Plan your writing before you begin, this will help you to structure and develop your arguments clearly. Identify core references and evidence during the planning stage. Engage with the feedback that you are given and actively respond to it; always revisit prior feedback before writing your next assignment. Read your work out loud – it may sound strange but it helps you to spot places where your writing and argument is disjointed. Try not to leave things to the last minute. Give yourself time to finish your work, leave it to one side for a few days and then revisit it. It’s amazing how a little bit of distance gives you a new perspective and the ability to spot inconsistencies or areas for improvement. • Proofread your work for more than spelling, punctuation and grammar. You should also check that there is a consistent structure, logical development and appropriate signposting. Can you sum up your central argument in one sentence? Can you explain the subject of each paragraph in a few words? If not, look again at your structure. • • • Resources to help you develop your critical analysis: http: //libguides. tees. ac. uk/critical_thinking and http: //libguides. tees. ac. uk/critical_writing TU Lib. Guides provide detailed information. Individual support is also available to help you develop your skills. https: //emedia. rmit. edu. au/learninglab/co ntent/writing This resource is accessible and provides useful practical example. http: //www. phrasebank. manchester. ac. uk/ This is a fantastic bank of phrases to support your writing. It will help you to develop your language skills in a way that enables you to more clearly demonstrate the ways in which you are thinking and responding critically. Considerations for the critical thinker: üCritical thinking involves approaching things in a creative and imaginative way and being able to think of examples and counterexamples. üIt means avoiding accepting at face value and instead exploring the ‘what if’s? ’ and ‘so what’s? ’. üRecognising and exploring the processes involved in becoming a critical thinker can help you develop your skills.
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