Professional Writing:

Critical Thinking
and Analysis

Bachelor of Applied Management

Why think about thinking?

The quality of our thinking

affects the quality of our
writing
Critical Thinking

Solve problems
Discover similarities and differences
Making connections
Use logic
Also moments of insight
and inspiration
Critical Thinking and Report Writing
Analysis
Break problems in components
Synthesis
Links between ideas and connections within the
whole
Generalisations
Come to conclusions
Solutions
Practical, sensible
recommendations
Macro-Level and Micro-Level

Global thinking style looking at the

big picture (macro)

Analytical thinking style

concentrating on small details (micro)

There is no best style.

Analytical (micro) thinking

1. Dividing into elemental parts

2. Logical reasoning
3. Critique
4. Critical thinking

Lets look at each of these.

 1. Dividing into elemental parts
Looking at the small parts (elements) of a topic.

The 4W formula helps us to think broadly.

(What? When? Where? Who?)
2. Logical reasoning
Ideas move from observation to
therefore conclusion.
 3. Critique
Thinking and asking questions about someone elses
work, e.g.
Is this correct? How do I know this?
Has all info been considered?
Has anything been missed?
Why have these conclusions been reached?
Are they valid?
Have all implications been considered?
Compare/Contrast with other work (support? contradictions?)
4. Critical thinking
Elemental parts PLUS reasons and implications

thinking carefully, strategically and analytically.

It involves concentration, reflection and a
deliberate decision to think about what we
know, and how and why we know it.
(Barnett and ORourke, 2011, p. 266)
Critical thinking consider this

Identify your topic, then list:

What you already know about it
Your prejudices and/or opinions you think you
hold about it
Resources available for you for further study
Time line and due dates

This is the basic foundation of a crtical approach to

thinking.
Problem Solving

What is the problem?

Do not rush to conclusions!
What information do I need to solve it
Where and how do you find this?
How do I group this information
Organising what you find
What conclusions can I draw
What recommendations are there
Critical Thinking Exercise:
Fact or Fiction

My mom is the best mom on earth.

My dad is taller than your dad.
My telephone number is difficult to memorize.
The deepest part of the ocean is 35,813 feet deep.
Dogs make better pets than turtles.
Smoking is bad for your health.
Critical Thinking Exercise:
Fact or Fiction Continued

Eighty-five percent of all cases of lung cancer in

the U.S. are caused by smoking.
If you flatten and stretch out a Slinky toy it will be
87 feet long.
Slinky toys are fun.
One out of every hundred American citizens is
color blind.
Two out of ten American citizens are boring.
Critical Thinking: Exercise

In New Zealand, a significant proportion of the

population is over 60 years of age, and the
numbers in this age group will steadily increase
during the next 20 years.
Discuss what problems this increase might
cause.
Now be as creative as you can in describing
new business opportuities and products that
could profitably be developed to cater for the
over-60s market.
Critical Thinking

The car park betweem the student centre.....

Report Writing Exercises:

Findings to Recommendations
Located on Moodle
Findings to Conclusions to Recommendations
References

Barnett, S. & ORourke, S. (2011). Communication: Organisation and innovation. Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education.

Dwyer, J. (2005). Communication in business: Strategies and skills. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Prentice Hall.

Ellis, J., & Thoreau, M. (2002). Communication plus: A spiral for success. Auckland: Pearson Education

Emerson, L. (2009). Writing guidelines for business students. (4th ed.). Albany, North Shore: Cengage Learning New Zealand.