ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION INFO SHEET

Note Making: Critical and analytical thinking (NM: CAT)

Setting: study space containing desk, chairs, computer, books, paper, coffee cups, pens, desk lamp.
Cast: Students x 2
Student 1: My lecturer says that I have done okay but I could have got a HD if I had used critical
thinking when I was planning my assignment! I dont want to criticise; it makes me feel bad when I have
to be negative!
Student 2: Mine reckons I could have got a HD if I had applied more analysis to the texts I had to read.
I didnt do much analysis because Ive heard that analysing information is really hard.

What does critical or analytical thinking mean?

Learn about:

Reader expectations

Reading style

More than one source

Writing style

It means asking the question What is the authors purpose?

so you as the reader can identify strengths and weaknesses
within texts. It is not about criticising an authors work.
It is not a difficult way of working. It requires you to think with
a specific purpose when you read sources and process the
ideas they present.

Reading for meaning and purpose.

Look at critical reading and analysis as an opportunity for you, the reader, to not only comprehend
what is being said by authors about a topic but determine the value of their points of view and
establish your own. How?

Read more than one source and make notes on each authors point of view on the topic.

Once you have identified the argument, make notes on what evidence each author provides.

Jot down whether you think each author has provided a credible argument according to their
evidence.

Jot down your own point of view on the topic.

Ask yourself if your point of view can be supported.

NM: CAT

26.8.2013

NM: CAT

Critical analysis steps: What is the authors purpose?

1. Identify the line of argument by noting it down in your own words (paraphrasing).
2. Critically evaluate the argument by jotting down some statements from the source that support
the argument (paraphrase these points).
3. Note down points, if any, that do not appear to support the argument.
4. Read to look for any hidden agenda in the authors argument. Ask yourself if there is any
information that could be missing and could paint a different picture. Note any points down.
5. Note down the evidence that the author uses to support their point of view (paraphrase it).
6. Evaluate the evidence, for example: is the evidence up-to-date; are reliable sources used; is
there any bias in the text; are statistics, if any, providing a full picture?
7. Identify the authors conclusions and note down whether or not the evidence supports the
conclusion.
8. Apply this procedure to every source that you read on the topic.
Then, when you are at the writing and responding stage, follow this advice on how you are going to
structure your critical analysis review of and response to the sources you have read.

Writing process: think about style.
It is important not to use an informal style where your purpose for writing is to talk in general
about your own ideas. This is easy to do but hard to stop. It is important to be aware that
this style is not academic writing. Remember to plan carefully and establish your thesis or
main argument in your introduction. Then make sure that every paragraph in your response
is linked to and supports this informed point of view.