Critical Thinking

Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study
Second Edition
Tom Chatfield - Author, tech philosopher and broadcaster
Critical Thinking
April 2022 | 384 pages | Sage UK
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Description

What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? 

Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.

This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how to:

  • Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly
  • Evaluate evidence and identify errors
  • Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking
  • Become a savvy user of technology
  • Sift through the deluge of digital information
  • Develop confident critical writing.

Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.

Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed.

This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.

Contents

Part I: The Art and Science of Being Reasonable

  • Chapter 1: Understanding the Reasons Behind Things
  • Chapter 2: Spelling Out Arguments and Assumptions
  • Chapter 3: Reasoning With Logic and Certainty
  • Chapter 4: Reasoning With Observation and Uncertainty
  • Chapter 5: Developing Explanations and Theories
  • Chapter 6: Assessing Evidence and Planning Your Reading Strategy

Part II: Being Reasonable in an Unreasonable World

  • Chapter 7: Getting to Grips With Rhetoric
  • Chapter 8: Seeing Through Faulty Reasoning
  • Chapter 9: Understanding Cognitive Bias
  • Chapter 10: Overcoming Bias in Yourself and Others
  • Chapter 11: Thinking Critically About Technology
  • Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Study, Work and Life

Description

What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? 

Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.

This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how to:

  • Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly
  • Evaluate evidence and identify errors
  • Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking
  • Become a savvy user of technology
  • Sift through the deluge of digital information
  • Develop confident critical writing.

Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.

Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed.

This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.

Contents

Part I: The Art and Science of Being Reasonable

  • Chapter 1: Understanding the Reasons Behind Things
  • Chapter 2: Spelling Out Arguments and Assumptions
  • Chapter 3: Reasoning With Logic and Certainty
  • Chapter 4: Reasoning With Observation and Uncertainty
  • Chapter 5: Developing Explanations and Theories
  • Chapter 6: Assessing Evidence and Planning Your Reading Strategy

Part II: Being Reasonable in an Unreasonable World

  • Chapter 7: Getting to Grips With Rhetoric
  • Chapter 8: Seeing Through Faulty Reasoning
  • Chapter 9: Understanding Cognitive Bias
  • Chapter 10: Overcoming Bias in Yourself and Others
  • Chapter 11: Thinking Critically About Technology
  • Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Study, Work and Life
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Critical Thinking

Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study

Tom Chatfield
Cancel Print

April 2022 | 384 pages | Sage UK

Format Published Date ISBN Price

What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? 

Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.

This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how to:

  • Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly
  • Evaluate evidence and identify errors
  • Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking
  • Become a savvy user of technology
  • Sift through the deluge of digital information
  • Develop confident critical writing.

Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.

Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed.

This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.


Table Of Contents:

  • Part I: The Art and Science of Being Reasonable
  • Chapter 1: Understanding the Reasons Behind Things
  • Chapter 2: Spelling Out Arguments and Assumptions
  • Chapter 3: Reasoning With Logic and Certainty
  • Chapter 4: Reasoning With Observation and Uncertainty
  • Chapter 5: Developing Explanations and Theories
  • Chapter 6: Assessing Evidence and Planning Your Reading Strategy
  • Part II: Being Reasonable in an Unreasonable World
  • Chapter 7: Getting to Grips With Rhetoric
  • Chapter 8: Seeing Through Faulty Reasoning
  • Chapter 9: Understanding Cognitive Bias
  • Chapter 10: Overcoming Bias in Yourself and Others
  • Chapter 11: Thinking Critically About Technology
  • Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Study, Work and Life

Recent Product Reviews:

Tom Chatfield provides a comprehensive introduction to critical thinking, covering topics such as argument structure, evidence evaluation, and logical reasoning. He offers practical tools and techniques to enhance analytical skills, making this book a valuable resource for students and professionals alike.
MC Education Desk, Moneycontrol - India's Leading Financial Platform
An important reading for every course at my institution, because of its vast and relevant topics about critical thinking. A reference for our library as well.
Dr Fernando J Angelino, School of Business Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal
A very useful guide to thinking and writing critically. Great for my postgrads
Mrs Catherine Botting, Management, York University
This title has been really helpful to support social work degree students make the transistion from level 3 courses to level 4. It has helped them to develop their critical thinking and to understand what is required to be a critical thinker
Mrs Tabitha King, Accounting, Heart of Worcestershire College
It is helpful in focusing on what critical thinking is, how it works and how helpful it is in education and life
Mrs Carole Tatham, Curriculum, Burnley College

Recommendations