Table of Contents

• Introduction
• 1. Key concepts and processes - how thinking, reflection and creativity involve important skills
• Key approaches to thinking
• 2. Critical thinking - how to develop a logical approach to analysis and problem-solving
• 3. Reflective thinking - how to evaluate your feelings in academic contexts
• 4. Creative thinking - how to generate innovative and original ideas
• Critical thinking in practice
• 5. Arriving at a viewpoint - how to sift fact and opinion to arrive at a position on a topic
• 6. Supporting and opposing an argument - how to express your point of view through discussion and debate
• 7. Interpreting and manipulating data - how to approach graphs, tables, formulae and basic statistics
• 8. Decision-making and work-planning - how to make choices, plan ahead and prioritise
• 9. Group effort and collaboration - how to enhance your contribution to teamwork
• Evaluating the ideas of others
• 10.   Evaluating information sources - how to filter and select reliable material
• 11.   Effective academic reading - how to read efficiently and with understanding
• 12.   Note-making from texts - how to create effective notes for later reference
• 13.   Plagiarism and copyright infringement - how to avoid being accused of 'stealing' the ideas and work of others
• 14.   Citing and listing references  - how to refer appropriately to the work of others
• Putting your thinking into words
• 15.   Tackling a writing assignment - how to respond to the specified task
• 16.   Academic writing style - how to adopt appropriate language conventions
• 17.   General writing structures – how to select and shape your content appropriately
• 18.   Writing about reflection - how to structure and report your thoughts
• 19.   Editing and presenting your assignment - how to review your own work and follow academic conventions
• Forward thinking
• 20.   Exploiting feedback - how to learn from what lecturers think of your work
• 21.   Preparing for employment- how to transfer your thinking skills to a career

Promotional Information

There are essential skills and smart strategies for thinking and writing critically in essays, reports, assignments and exams, and in reflecting on study and performance. How to Think, Write & Reflect Critically gives practical advice and tips to improve academic writing whatever course you are on.

About the Author

Kathleen McMillan and Jonathan Weyers work within the University of Dundee’s Learning Centre and Academic Affairs Office respectively and have each been teaching for over 25 years and now specialize in supporting academic skills across both the arts and sciences.