ABSTRACT
Instruction What is meant clarify identify the components of an issue/topic/problem/; identify the main points; make the meaning plain; remove ambiguities or misunderstandings; restate something in your own words analyse break information into constituent parts; examine the relationship between the parts; question the information be critical identify what is good and bad about the information and why, probe, question, identify inaccuracies or shortcomings in the information, estimate the value of the material evaluate, weigh up as above but also - come to a conclusion (see below) about the information balance look at two or more viewpoints or pieces of information; give each equal attention; look at good and bad points; take into account many aspects and give an appropriate weighting to those aspects compare consider the similarities or dissimilarities; implies evaluation(eg which aspects of two or more topics/subjects are most valuable) identify trends identify patterns/changes/m ovements in certain directions(eg over time or across topics/subjects) argue put the case for/against a view or idea giving evidence for your claims/reasons; attempt to influence the reader to accept your view conclude/drawconclusions the end point of your critical thinking; what the results of an investigation indicate; arrive at a judgem ent by reasoning develop a view decide what you think (based on an argument or on evidence) justify make a case for a particular view; explain why something is like it is/why there is a certain view on it; give reasons; show adequate grounds for something give evidence evidence from your own work or that of others which could be checked by a third party to prove/justify what you say summarise briefly identify the main points or aspects of the information, remove unnecessary detail review similar to summarise (see above) but usually includes evaluation (see above), an overview, a reconsideration of something
Material (either published or your own work) should include evidence for what it claims. Evidence is proof for something (think of ‘evidence’ in a TV crime programme). To identify if evidence is appropriate for a situation, consider if it is: • valid, ie does it prove what it claims to prove• current, ie is it up to date, or is the date appropriate (eg for historical issues)• accurate• relevant• reliable, ie can you trust it• complete• sufficient, ie enough evidence to prove something. 22.3.2 Opinions
An opinion is an idea for which there is no evidence. In academic work it is bad practice to give an opinion without evidence (unless you clearly state that it is only an opinion). It is particular important to identify opinions without proof if they are central to an argument (see Section 22.5 below). Within a subject area, some ideas may be so well accepted by subject specialists that they are seen as ‘truths’ and it is not necessary to keep repeating the evidence. It may take quite a lot of subject experience before you know what these ‘truths’ are. Until you get to that point, it may be safer to check there is evidence for them. For practice, look at a piece of information and identify any statements which are opinions (ie which have no evidence or proof).
