What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them. This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You'll learn how to: Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly Evaluate evidence and identify errors Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking Become a savvy user of technology Sift through the deluge of digital information Develop confident critical writing. Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age. Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed. This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.
Part I: The Art and Science of Being Reasonable Chapter 1: Understanding the Reasons Behind Things Chapter 2: Spelling Out Arguments and Assumptions Chapter 3: Reasoning With Logic and Certainty Chapter 4: Reasoning With Observation and Uncertainty Chapter 5: Developing Explanations and Theories Chapter 6: Assessing Evidence and Planning Your Reading Strategy Part II: Being Reasonable in an Unreasonable World Chapter 7: Getting to Grips With Rhetoric Chapter 8: Seeing Through Faulty Reasoning Chapter 9: Understanding Cognitive Bias Chapter 10: Overcoming Bias in Yourself and Others Chapter 11: Thinking Critically About Technology Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Study, Work and Life
Tom's book continues to be a real hit with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This book immerses students into the world of critical thinking using practical applications and experiences. The book triggers a meaningful sensemaking process and demystifies critical reading, thinking and reading, allowing students to develop their skills. -- Paul McEvoy Clarke Tom has a knack for providing relatable examples to break down the ideas around being a critical reader and writer. This second edition is no different and continues to carefully guide us all with developing our skills of criticality. A must read for anyone engaged with academic writing. -- Andy Taylor
