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RMIT University Library - Learning Lab

Critical thinking

 

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Additional resources

For more information about how to develop your critical thinking skills, see the following resources:

An analysis of an argument

This overview explains the language techniques used by, Dawson, the author to persuade the reader of her position

Analysing an argument: key steps

This page will take you through the key steps of analysing an argument. What do we need to look for when we start reading for an assignment?

Argument analysis

This resource is designed to familiarise students with an argument analysis. It would suit any student studying at a certificate, diploma or degree level and is designed to help with developing essay...

Arguments and evidence

A claim, or argument, that is backed up by assumptions makes the claim more believable. However, a claim or argument that is backed up by evidence is much stronger. Quality evidence = fact.

Becoming a critical thinker

Critical thinking doesn’t just happen. It takes time to develop and practice the necessary combination of knowledge, skills and attitude.

Checklist

A reading checklist to assist you before starting to write your literature review.

Choose valid sources

This tutorial will cover why it is important to find the right type of information for your assignment and strategies for how to evaluate that information

Conclusion

Critical thinking is a skill you need to teach yourself by actively engaging with ideas in your discipline area.

Critical reading

Critical reading involves developing a deep understanding of the content of a text as well as an analysis of the author's claims, evidence, arguments and conclusions.

Critical reading and note-making

This tutorial covers strategies to help manage academic reading and enhance your critical understanding.

Critical reading process

Reading critically requires active reading. Asking questions as you read forms the basis of critical reading. Questions like those listed below help you to maintain focus while reading, to examine...

Critical thinking - Critical reading

The aim of this tutorial is to develop your critical thinking capacity. It will take time but you don’t need to do the activities in one session.

Critical thinking activity

Practise applying your critical thinking skills in this activity.

Elements of an argument

This is the language used when critically analysing a text.

Engaging critically with social media

The SIFT method can help you to critically evaluate the validity and reliability of information before sharing it with your online community.

Exercise - elements of critical thinking

In this example paragraph, note how the writer has structured their paragraph to support their contention stated in their topic sentence.

Fallacies using feelings instead of facts

Arguments are a claim backed up by evidence to support the claim. These logical fallacies are claims that use feelings instead of evidence.

Five common fallacies

International student stories

In this resource, eight RMIT students share some of their experiences in adapting to study in Australia. The resource will introduce four areas that international students often find new and a little...

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