Avoiding Plagiarism. Organizing Your Argument Presentation. Tools for Writing: Points of View in Writing. Encounter | Sixth Form @ JWS. Questioning as you read : s3. General Principles: As you are reading you need to ask questions to help you to actively engage with the text and focus on what you are trying to find out from your reading. It's a good idea to think of some questions before you start reading in depth and to keep these in mind as you read. It can also be helpful to add more questions as you read the text and become familiar with the author's ideas and arguments. The type of text you are reading will affect the questions you ask. Below are some general questions to help you get started. Ask yourself Before you begin reading: What do I want to find out? Questioning the writing: What are the bare bones of the author's argument?
Forming your own opinion: Which bits of the author's argument do I want to use/ reflect on in my essay? Activity This activity will help you practice critical reading by questioning as you read. Essay title: Is capitalism the cause of or solution to environmental problems? View Martell pages 62-72 (Show)
Planning, drafting, copy editing and proofreading : s3. Good critical academic writing is shaped by effective planning, always improved by drafting and polished by editing and proofreading. Allocate time for each stage. Set yourself a deadline a week before you have to hand your assignment in and work backwards, incorporating time for reading and research. These links outline the stages of the writing process: Expect to adapt your plan - it shows that your ideas are developing.
Seb Third year Physics with Management student View Seb's student perspective Transcript (Show) What is it like writing essays on your course and do you have any tips? Critical thinking checklist : s3. Identify what's important: What are the key ideas, problems, arguments, observations, findings, conclusions? What evidence is there? Distinguish critical from other types of writing (eg descriptive); fact from opinion; bias from reason Evaluate what you find: Explore the evidence - does it convince?
Look beyond what you're reading/hearing: What other viewpoints, interpretations and perspectives are there? Clarifying your point of view: Weigh up the relevant research in the areaFind effective reasons and evidence for your views Reach conclusions on the basis of your reasoning Illustrate your reasons with effective examples Note - Critical thinking skills need to be understood and developed in the context of your subject discipline - check this out with your tutors. Keep in touch While the checklist covers many skills, qualities and activities that can be involved in critical thinking, it does not attempt to be definitive.
Know your skills Copyright © Moira Wilson 2009 All rights reserved. Virtual Training Suite - free Internet tutorials to develop Internet research skills. How big is the jump from GCSE to A-level? A week ago I stood in a snake-like queue, the sun pounding down on me. My knees were shaking. I thought I might never make it to the sixth-form gym to collect my AS-level results (I did, they were pleasing). But as I waited, I had plenty of time to reflect on what I've learned in my first year of A-levels. When you arrive at sixth form fresh-faced from your GCSEs and a bumper summer holiday, your new teachers will be quick point out that: "It's a big jump from GCSEs to A-levels. " Those terrifying words echo around your mind. Here's the truth: I have loved my first year of A-levels. So what makes A-levels so different from GCSEs?
• You suddenly find you have "free periods" (usually anything but free) . • One of the benefits of attending a further education college, as I do, rather than a school sixth form, is that you get to call your teachers by their first name. . • I found I had to learn to analyse in my essays, which you don't have to do so much of in your GCSEs. Online Courses. Vaughan Memorial Library : Tutorials : Searching with Success! Internet Detective | Home A-level students: all work and no play... Michael Gove's announcement that AS-levels might be scrapped has pleased those who think students should be free to pursue outside interests such as sports and drama.
This recognition that there's fun, fulfilment and learning to be had outside the classroom could hardly be more welcome to sixth formers under pressure. Of course good grades are crucial if you want to go to university (a big "if" for some students), but the two years you spend studying for them is also the perfect time to broaden your interests. Extra-curricular pursuits are wide ranging and some students already have a passion or a skill that they want to hone. Some choose to perform, whether as actors, singers, rappers or spoken word poets. Chloe L acknowledges that though her parents initially encouraged her to take up dancing, the decision to continue was based on her love for the art form. She says she's "often left the stage and cried, because the adrenaline is incredible". OpenCourseWare | Free Online Course Materials.