Critical Practice In Academic Essay

1314 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Confucianism influence in east asia

Define critical practice in academic essay writing It is considered that critics love to take sides. As compelling as it may be, being critical is not about trusting one’s instinct and taking a one-sided decision, but rather investigate, evaluate and consider different opinions and only thereafter cultivate one’s own perspective. In practice, critical thinking can be referred as an ‘active process’ that implies raising questions and finding information yourself, contrasting with the ‘passive process’ of receiving ideas and information from someone else.(Dewey, 1910) The ultimate question is why would a critical approach be better in an academic environment? This essay will outline the types of thinking and cultural differences regarding …show more content…

The similarity between convergent thinking and critical reasoning is that they are looking ‘inward’ to find a solution, by bringing together facts and evaluating them to make informed decisions, while divergent and creative thinking look ‘outward’ for the purpose of finding a solution by exploring established theories and generating new ideas. (Thinking skills – analytical, critical and creative thinking, no date) Furthermore, a contrast in different cultures regarding the way students make use of critical practice can be found. Critical thinking is a practice in the Anglo-American higher education, while in the eastern world, the ‘Confucian heritage’ presumes an avoidance of being critical for it can be interpreted as impoliteness and lack of respect. However hard it may be for international students to get accustomed to the Western type of thinking, research shows that there is applicability in their personal lives, suggesting that critical thinking can increase the ability to understand different perspectives.(Tanaka and Gilliland, 2016) By using the Anglo-American method, ordinary classrooms convert into “communities of inquiry”(Lipman, 2003 p.105) where students have the ability to exchange ideas, develop hypotheses, transform and recreate knowledge thus becoming knowledgeable, enquiring and

Show More
Related

  • Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths 'And Growing Up Tethered'

    609 Words  | 2 Pages

    Colombo introduces his section on critical thinking by asking a question “Why do instructors mean when they tell to think critically?” (2). His point is that we should no just focus on the surface meaning. He uses the example of the cover of our Rereading America textbook. He says that the average student from the United States may just believe that the book only applies to the United States. When a student from anny other country in the Western Hemisphere might complain that the title reflects a discriminatory view of what it maens to be an American. Since America contains all the countries of North, South, and Central America. He goes on to explain that most think they want us to ask questions rather than just relay the text back through memorization. That kind of thinking is nearly useless in the real world. What job is there that all you do is relay data back? There are almost none of these

    Read More

  • Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Colombo also asks in his article “Thinking Critical, Challenging Cultural Myths” “What do instructors mean when they tell you to think critically?” (Colombo, p. 2). In this paragraph Colombo is wanted to let the student know that the college instructors are going to let the student use her own mind and think outside the box. That being “a critical thinker cultivates the ability to imagine and see the different value points of her own- Then strengthens, refines, enlarges, or reshapes her ideas in light of those other perspectives” (Colombo, p. 2). Colombo also states that being “a critical thinker is an active learner, someone with the ability to shape, not merely absorb, knowledge” (Colombo, p. 2).

    Read More

  • Rereading America

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing written by; Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, Eighth Edition, published April, 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s, is a textbook about writing and critical thinking. In the first chapter of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, “Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths”, the Authors begin by setting a relatable scene of what it’s like for a college student. How a new found independence can be overwhelming, especially with regards to critical thinking, showing that what we have learned, needs to be re-evaluated and that an open mind in essential. "What Is Critical Thinking" In this section of the chapter the editors explain what it means to be a critical thinker. They explain that critical thinking is not just studying dates and facts, but rather taking those facts and examining them. The editors then proceed by explaining how having an open mind, and taking others' perspectives into account when formulating our own opinions on what the author is trying to say to us is important. A critical thinker takes all aspects into account and reflects on personal experience as well. The editors also point out that different cultural experiences bring different opinions. They suggest that we need to become active learners, continuously questioning the meaning behind everything, testing not only the theories of others but also our own experiences and analyzing the text rather than going for the obvious. They show that thinking outside the box is the epitome of critical thinking. Basically, we need to step outside our comfort zones and what we have always been taught. The editors also suggest that we need to re-evaluate our per...

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking As A Higher Order Skills By Tim Van Gelder

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    If I had spent several weeks preparing a term paper and received an assessment I did not agree with, LOI could help me see past the emotive and think critically about the feedback. At age fifty-two, I am still just a beginning student of critical thinking. I have used, in layman’s terms some of the principals in my professional and personal life. This week’s reading have helped to formulize some of the processes and attitudes I have practiced for over forty years.

    Read More

  • Immigration is Hurting Our Economy!

    1591 Words  | 4 Pages

    Introduction Critical thinking provides an opportunity to explore the positive and negative sides of an argument for and against an idea, theory, or notion. Reasoning and perception is attuned to personal impression and provides outcome to belief and opinion. The dictionary term and understanding for the word ‘logic’ is “of sound thinking and proof by reasoning” (Merriam-Webster, 2009). Logic is the examination of the methods and doctrine used to determine ‘correct’ from ‘incorrect’ and is used in the structure of an argument.

    Read More

  • Exploring the Evolution of Social Criticism and Critical Thinking

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is a source of education and a powerful resource in the life of every individual and in social life. Despite the fact that the identification and analysis of critical thinking skills are beyond the boundaries of a single discipline or subject, the learning and application of these skills require possession of certain knowledge. The value of critical thinking is lost if it is treated as a list of logical operations, and the possession of certain knowledge is regarded simply as a collection of information. The investigation of the relationship of a value judgment and the actual use may lead to a new assessment of the need for common concepts of critical thinking and the possession of certain knowledge in education (Paul,

    Read More

  • Public Vs Public Education: Private Vs. Public

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Education is defined as the “discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning in school or school-like environments as opposed to various non-formal and informal means of socialization.”(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008). If one really looks at education, he or she will realize how broad it actually is. Education extends beyond the notion that it is merely for knowledge alone. It is imperative that one view education in an analytical perspective. Mr. Smith suggests that “we must also ensure that students develop critical thinking skills.” Critical thinking is a definite must ...

    Read More

  • Reflective Essay: The Writing Process

    522 Words  | 2 Pages

    this area but I’m going to improve on it. The process of using multiple drafts has

    Read More

  • Thesis For All Gold Canyon

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    Questions are something that must be asked and can be very important when reading a literary work, watching a movie, or just simply trying to understand the habits of people today. Asking questions opens up the human brain to dig farther and deeper into the meaning of why someone did something in a specific way and what purpose it has that something must be done in that way. Critical thinking is asking question and trying to hypothesize on what the answer to that question might be. Critically thinking is a healthy aspect of opening up the brain and will improve one’s thought process on how to apply critical thinking in situations where it is dependent, like a future

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking Reflection

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    My academic decisions can sometimes lead me to have a negative state of mind. The text states that critical thinking requires a willingness and passion to explore, probe, question, and search for answers and solutions. Staying positive and have a positive attitude can assist me in knowing how to approaching, and making decisions. The chapter also taught me that asking questions is a pa...

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Critical Thinking In The Army Problem Solving Process

    1306 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is not easily recognized is the fact that the very fabric of life is dependent on the ability to think properly and make good decisions. Improper thinking is costly in the quality of life and monetarily. The result of a critical thinker that has worked to cultivate proper thinking skills includes: the ability to ask vital questions and to identify problems with clarity. A critical thinker also collects relevant information while effectively interpreting it, thinks with an open mind, uses alternative systems of thought, and understands how to communicate while working to formulate a strong solution. In summary, critical thinking is self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. Above all else, the standards of excellence are rigorous, and it entails the prospect of overcoming the challenge of sociocentrism and

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.

    Read More

  • Reflection On Critical Reading And Writing

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Critical Reading and Writing in the Discipline (FOUN1019) is a yearlong course designed to improve and develop students’ cognitive, analytical and rhetorical skills. It thereby provides students with the requisite skills to truly join the scholarly arena and become academic writers. I enrolled in the FOUN1019 course with the assumption that I would become more proficient in English Language and a more eloquent communicator. I anticipated that this course would be challenging like many other courses ascribe to a first degree in Marketing; however, nothing could have truly prepared me for the arduous work load that it entails. I had to work assidously throughout the duration of FOUN109 to prepare coursework and conduct research which required

    Read More

  • The Importance of Critical Thinking to the Decision Making Process

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Critical Thinking In The 21st Century

    1208 Words  | 3 Pages

    Critical thinking regularly involves the capability to interpret information and make knowledgeable decisions based on such information. Additionally, problem solving is frequently theorised as the use of critical thinking skills towards the effective solution of a specific problem or towards a specific end goal. Critical thinking is the disciplined art of ensuring that you use the best thinking you are capable of in any set of circumstances. The general goal of thinking is to figure out some situation” (Critical Thinking, 2001, p.1), solve some problem, answer some questions, or resolve some issue. It also is a process in which a person pursuits reliable and pertinent information about the world. Critical thinking is often described as reasonable, ruminative, trustworthy, and a well-practiced form of thinking that assists people with deciding what they should believe in and what actions should be taken. A practiced critical thinker will ask good questions, collects pertinent data, categorizes common characteristics, logically reasons with the new data and then he or she will come to a trustworthy and dependable conclusion. Critical thinking makes use of many processes and procedures. Some processes include but is not limited to asking questions, making judgments, and identifying

    Read More

More about Critical Practice In Academic Essay

Open Document