This document discusses critical writing and thinking. It states that critical reading and thinking leads to critical writing. It identifies that weak writing can occur when one's thinking is unclear. To write critically, one must think about what they've read, evaluate their own ideas, and plan an argument with a clear thesis. The writing should provide reasons and evidence to support the thesis while integrating enough description to aid understanding. It distinguishes descriptive writing from critical writing by noting critical writing evaluates, argues, draws conclusions and shows relevance, while descriptive writing simply provides information.

1. Writing critically
© 2010 Learning Development

2. August 7, 2014
writing critically | www.newcastle.edu.au
2Being critical…
• Critical reading + Critical thinking
= Critical writing
What is critical thinking?

3. August 7, 2014
writing critically | www.newcastle.edu.au
3Common problem
• Weak writing because thinking is not clear
• You need to:
– Think about what you have read
– Evaluate your ideas as you read
– Plan your argument

4. August 7, 2014
writing critically | www.newcastle.edu.au
4Be clear about your conclusions and
reasoning
• Having read and thought about an issue, be clear
about your overall conclusion (thesis)
• Plan a series of reasons, with appropriate evidence
that helps the reader understand your thesis
• Weave just enough descriptive writing into your
critical writing to help the reader understand your
point

5. August 7, 2014
writing critically | www.newcastle.edu.au
5Descriptive vs Critical
• States what happened
• Says what something is like
• Paraphrases a theory
• Explains how a thing works
• Outlines the method
• Identifies different elements
• States options
• Provides information
• Identifies the significance
• Evaluates strengths, weaknesses
• Shows why a theory is relevant
• Indicates why it will work
• Argues whether method is suitable
• Evaluates importance of elements
• Explains why one option is better
• Draws conclusions from
information

6. August 7, 2014
writing critically | www.newcastle.edu.au
6Examples
• Which of these writing samples is:
– Descriptive
– Critical
• Why?