All students need to develop their ability to think and reflect critically and provide critical analysis in their written work. If you feel you need to develop in this area or have had feedback on your assignments asking you to be more critical, you can get one to one help from the Writing Development team at the library or you could attend one of their workshops on Critical Writing, which will be advertised on the library webpage. In addition they have recorded many of their workshops, these workshops include critical thinking and writing critically.
Plymouth University has devised a critical thinking model to help you reflect and analyse a critical incident and how this can be used in your critical writing. This video shows the basics of the model:
Skills for Study is an interactive resource based on The Study Skills Handbook, and covers a range of academic skills including referencing, note-taking, critical thinking and exam skills. (See a full list of topics and modules covered).
Skills for Study is designed to help you develop your study skills at your own pace. Each module includes diagnostic tests, and exercises and activities to help you measure your progress, become more confident and get the most out of your course.
You will need to register with the site before you can access the content.
There are a selection of books on the Writing Development webpage of the library to help you with critical thinking
Stella Cottrell, Critical Thinking Skills and and Kate Williams, Getting Critical are practical books that you can work through to improve your skills and gain confidence in this area.
A selection of articles and books to help you reflect critically on your practice:
