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Critical Thinking
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Critical Thinking
Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study

Second Edition
Additional resources:


July 2022 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

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.


 
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

Supplements

Find the Online Resources

 Access a range of free digital resources to support your teaching and student engagement:

  • Welcome video from Tom ('What is Critical Thinking?')
  • YouTube videos introducing each chapter in a nutshell
  • Ten Commandments animated shorts to start discussions
  • Set of BuzzFeed quizzes to test what you (think) you know
  • Downloadable posters to display in the classroom or library
  • Downloadable PowerPoint slides to support teaching
  • Interactive and downloadable workbook to give you even more space to reflect and practice
Critical thinking webinar
Watch the recording of How to Think for Yourself with Tom Chatfield and Alex Baratta. This webinar, hosted by JS Group, offers top tips on how to spot misinformation and engage critically with the world.
Critical thinking videos
Watch over 20 videos of author Tom Chatfield discussing Critical Thinking and key ideas from his book, including each of his 10 Commandments.
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking in a nutshell! In this brief introduction to critical thinking, Tom Chatfield explains what it is, why critical skills are important as a university student, and how they help with your studies.

Tom’s book continues to be a real hit with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This book immerses students into the world of critical thinking using practical applications and experiences. The book triggers a meaningful sensemaking process and demystifies critical reading, thinking and reading, allowing students to develop their skills.

Paul McEvoy Clarke
Programme Leader – HRM Programmes, Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University.

Tom has a knack for providing relatable examples to break down the ideas around being a critical reader and writer. This second edition is no different and continues to carefully guide us all with developing our skills of criticality. A must read for anyone engaged with academic writing.

Andy Taylor
Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, School of Education, University of Worcester

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
May 25, 2024

An excellent book about the development of critical competences. "Critical Thinking" is a must in the reading lists of graduate and post graduate students given the relevant topics covered and the tasks that can be used for self and group reflection purposes. The easy-to-follow nature of the text makes it appropriate for a wide academic and professional audience.

Dr Jose Manuel Reis-Jorge
Escola de Educação, Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências
April 21, 2023

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
July 4, 2023

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
July 18, 2023

I think this will be a big support to some of my students.

Dr Kathryn Peckham
Early Childhood, Centre for Research In Early Childhood
May 2, 2023

A very useful guide to thinking and writing critically. Great for my postgrads

Mrs Catherine Botting
Management, York University
November 20, 2023

i bought a copy; it is a very good bock

Mr Amdy Diene
School of Business, Liberty University
August 15, 2022

Very appropriate book for undergraduate students. It takes students through how they can structure their essays with relevant arguments and analysis independently.

Dr Seidu Salifu
Education, North East Surrey college of technology
October 16, 2022
Key features
KEY FEATURES:
  • Tom Chatfield’s writing style helps students master critical engagement, from thinking to reading to writing—to ultimately improve their essays and assignments
  • The book provides an integrated print and digital learning experience, directing readers in and out of the book in order to apply and reinforce critical thinking skills
  • Inspirational, interactive shareable quote pages of famous quotes regarding critical thinking, and space in the text offers students a chance to scribble and engage like a workbook
  • A fun and reflective digital toolkit of extras includes "10 Commandments" videos, animated tips, quizzes, and social media chat with the author to keep students engaged
  • Smart Study boxes share excellent tips to whip students’ work into shape
  • Quizzes give students a chance to diagnose their skill level and test what (they think) they know
  • Tom Chatfield is an experienced author and teacher/coach/dream supervisor, showing students how to learn, practice, and "get it" in a fresh, friendly, and practical way

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