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• What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

Published on May 30, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment .

To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources .

Critical thinking skills help you to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

Table of contents

Why is critical thinking important, critical thinking examples, how to think critically, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about critical thinking.

Critical thinking is important for making judgments about sources of information and forming your own arguments. It emphasizes a rational, objective, and self-aware approach that can help you to identify credible sources and strengthen your conclusions.

Critical thinking is important in all disciplines and throughout all stages of the research process . The types of evidence used in the sciences and in the humanities may differ, but critical thinking skills are relevant to both.

In academic writing , critical thinking can help you to determine whether a source:

• Is free from research bias
• Provides evidence to support its research findings
• Considers alternative viewpoints

Outside of academia, critical thinking goes hand in hand with information literacy to help you form opinions rationally and engage independently and critically with popular media.

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Critical thinking can help you to identify reliable sources of information that you can cite in your research paper . It can also guide your own research methods and inform your own arguments.

Outside of academia, critical thinking can help you to be aware of both your own and others’ biases and assumptions.

Academic examples

However, when you compare the findings of the study with other current research, you determine that the results seem improbable. You analyze the paper again, consulting the sources it cites.

You notice that the research was funded by the pharmaceutical company that created the treatment. Because of this, you view its results skeptically and determine that more independent research is necessary to confirm or refute them. Example: Poor critical thinking in an academic context You’re researching a paper on the impact wireless technology has had on developing countries that previously did not have large-scale communications infrastructure. You read an article that seems to confirm your hypothesis: the impact is mainly positive. Rather than evaluating the research methodology, you accept the findings uncritically.

Nonacademic examples

However, you decide to compare this review article with consumer reviews on a different site. You find that these reviews are not as positive. Some customers have had problems installing the alarm, and some have noted that it activates for no apparent reason.

You revisit the original review article. You notice that the words “sponsored content” appear in small print under the article title. Based on this, you conclude that the review is advertising and is therefore not an unbiased source. Example: Poor critical thinking in a nonacademic context You support a candidate in an upcoming election. You visit an online news site affiliated with their political party and read an article that criticizes their opponent. The article claims that the opponent is inexperienced in politics. You accept this without evidence, because it fits your preconceptions about the opponent.

There is no single way to think critically. How you engage with information will depend on the type of source you’re using and the information you need.

However, you can engage with sources in a systematic and critical way by asking certain questions when you encounter information. Like the CRAAP test , these questions focus on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

When encountering information, ask:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?
• What do they say? Is their argument clear? Can you summarize it?
• When did they say this? Is the source current?
• Where is the information published? Is it an academic article? Is it peer-reviewed ?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or appeals to emotion ? Do they address alternative arguments?

Critical thinking also involves being aware of your own biases, not only those of others. When you make an argument or draw your own conclusions, you can ask similar questions about your own writing:

• Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions?
• Is my argument expressed clearly and backed up with credible sources?
• Would I be convinced by this argument coming from someone else?

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• ChatGPT vs human editor
• ChatGPT citations
• Is ChatGPT trustworthy?
• Using ChatGPT for your studies
• What is ChatGPT?
• Chicago style
• Paraphrasing

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Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search, interpret, and recall information in a way that aligns with our pre-existing values, opinions, or beliefs. It refers to the ability to recollect information best when it amplifies what we already believe. Relatedly, we tend to forget information that contradicts our opinions.

Although selective recall is a component of confirmation bias, it should not be confused with recall bias.

On the other hand, recall bias refers to the differences in the ability between study participants to recall past events when self-reporting is used. This difference in accuracy or completeness of recollection is not related to beliefs or opinions. Rather, recall bias relates to other factors, such as the length of the recall period, age, and the characteristics of the disease under investigation.

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How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Examples & Outline

Critical thinking is the process of evaluating and analyzing information. People who use it in everyday life are open to different opinions. They rely on reason and logic when making conclusions about certain issues.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

A critical thinking essay shows how your thoughts change as you research your topic. This type of assignment encourages you to learn rather than prove what you already know. In this article, our custom writing team will:

• explain how to write an excellent critical essay;
• introduce 30 great essay topics;
• provide a critical thinking essay example in MLA format.
• 🤔 Critical Thinking Essay Definition
• 💡 Topics & Questions
• ✅ Step-by-Step Guide
• 📑 Essay Example & Formatting Tips
• ✍️ Bonus Tips

🔍 References

🤔 what is a critical thinking essay.

A critical thinking essay is a paper that analyses an issue and reflects on it in order to develop an action plan. Unlike other essay types, it starts with a question instead of a thesis. It helps you develop a broader perspective on a specific issue. Critical writing aims at improving your analytical skills and encourages asking questions.

Critical Thinking in Writing: Importance

When we talk about critical thinking and writing, the word “critical” doesn’t have any negative connotation. It simply implies thorough investigation, evaluation, and analysis of information. Critical thinking allows students to make objective conclusions and present their ideas logically. It also helps them avoid errors in reasoning.

The Basics: 8 Steps of Critical Thinking Psychology

Did you know that the critical thinking process consists of 8 steps? We’ve listed them below. You can try to implement them in your everyday life:

It’s possible that fallacies will occur during the process of critical thinking. Fallacies are errors in reasoning that fail to provide a reasonable conclusion. Here are some common types of fallacies:

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• Generalization . It happens when you apply generally factual statements to a specific case.
• Ambiguity . It occurs when the arguments are not clear and are not supported by evidence.
• Appeal to authority . This mistake happens when you claim the statement is valid only because a respected person made it.
• Appeal to emotion . It occurs when you use highly emotive language to convince the audience. Try to stay sensible and rely on the evidence.
• Bifurcation . This mistake occurs when you choose only between two alternatives when more than two exist.
• False analogy . It happens when the examples are poorly connected.

If you want to avoid these mistakes, do the following:

• try not to draw conclusions too quickly,
• be attentive,
• carefully read through all the sources,
• avoid generalizations.

How to Demonstrate Your Critical Thinking in Writing

Critical thinking encourages you to go beyond what you know and study new perspectives. When it comes to demonstrating your critical thinking skills in writing, you can try these strategies:

• Read . Before you start writing an essay, read everything you can find on the subject you are about to cover. Focus on the critical points of your assignment.
• Research . Look up several scholarly sources and study the information in-depth.
• Evaluate . Analyze the sources and the information you’ve gathered. See whether you can disagree with the authors.
• Prove . Explain why you agree or disagree with the authors’ conclusions. Back it up with evidence.

According to Purdue University, logical essay writing is essential when you deal with academic essays. It helps you demonstrate and prove the arguments. Make sure that your paper reaches a logical conclusion.

There are several main concepts related to logic:

If you want your essay to be logical, it’s better to avoid syllogistic fallacies, which happen with certain invalid deductions. If syllogisms are used carelessly, they can lead to false statements and ruin the credibility of your paper.

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💡 Critical Thinking Topics & Questions

An excellent critical thinking essay starts with a question. But how do you formulate it properly? Keep reading to find out.

How to Write Critical Thinking Questions: Examples with Answers

Asking the right questions is at the core of critical thinking. They challenge our beliefs and encourage our interest to learn more.

Here are some examples of model questions that prompt critical thinking:

• What does… mean?
• What would happen if…?
• What are the principles of…?
• Why is… important?
• How does… affect…?
• What do you think causes…?
• How are… and… similar/different?
• How do you explain….?
• What are the implications of…?
• What do we already know about…?

Now, let’s look at some critical thinking questions with the answers. You can use these as a model for your own questions:

Question: What would happen if people with higher income paid more taxes?

• Answer: It would help society to prosper and function better. It would also help people out of poverty. This way, everyone can contribute to the economy.

Question: How does eating healthy benefit you?

• Answer: Healthy eating affects people’s lives in many positive ways. It reduces cancer risk, improves your mood and memory, helps with weight loss and diabetes management, and improves your night sleep.

Critical Thinking Essay Topics

Have you already decided what your essay will be about? If not, feel free to use these essay topic examples as titles for your paper or as inspiration. Make sure to choose a theme that interests you personally:

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

• What are the reasons for racism in healthcare ?
• Why is accepting your appearance important?
• Concepts of critical thinking and logical reasoning .
• Nature and spirit in Ralf Waldo Emerson ’s poetry.
• How does technological development affect communication in the modern world?
• Social media effect on adolescents.
• Is the representation of children in popular fiction accurate?
• Domestic violence and its consequences.
• Why is mutual aid important in society?
• How do stereotypes affect the way people think?
• The concept of happiness in different cultures.
• The purpose of environmental art .
• Why do people have the need to be praised ?
• How did antibiotics change medicine and its development?
• Is there a way to combat inequality in sports ?
• Is gun control an effective way of crime prevention?
• How our understanding of love changes through time.
• The use of social media by the older generation.
• Graffiti as a form of modern art .
• Negative health effects of high sugar consumption.
• Why are reality TV shows so popular?
• Why should we eat healthily ?
• How effective and fair is the US judicial system ?
• Reasons of Cirque du Soleil phenomenon.
• How can police brutality be stopped?
• Freedom of speech : does it exist?
• The effects of vaccination misconceptions .
• How to eliminate New Brunswick’s demographic deficit: action plan .
• What makes a good movie ?
• Critical analysis of your favorite book.
• The connection between fashion and identity .
• Taboo topics and how they are discussed in gothic literature .
• Critical thinking essay on the problem of overpopulation .
• Does our lifestyle affect our mental health ?
• The role of self-esteem in preventing eating disorders in children .
• Drug abuse among teenagers.
• Rhetoric on assisted suicide .
• Effects of violent video games on children’s mental health.
• Analyze the effect stress has on the productivity of a team member.
• Discuss the importance of the environmental studies .
• Critical thinking and ethics of happy life.
• The effects of human dignity on the promotion of justice.
• Examine the ethics of advertising the tobacco industry.
• Reasons and possible solutions of research misconduct.
• Implication of parental deployment for children.
• Cultural impact of superheroes on the US culture.
• Examine the positive and negative impact of technology on modern society.
• Critical thinking in literature: examples.
• Analyze the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on economic transformation.
• Benefits and drawbacks of mandatory vaccination .

Haven’t found a suitable essay idea? Try using our topic generator !

✅ How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay Step by Step

Now, let’s focus on planning and writing your critical thinking essay. In this section, you will find an essay outline, examples of thesis statements, and a brief overview of each essay part.

Critical Thinking Essay Outline

In a critical thinking essay, there are two main things to consider: a premise and a conclusion :

• A premise is a statement in the argument that explains the reason or supports a conclusion.
• A conclusion indicates what the argument is trying to prove. Each argument can have only one conclusion.

When it comes to structuring, a critical thinking essay is very similar to any other type of essay. Before you start writing it, make sure you know what to include in it. An outline is very helpful when it comes to structuring a paper.

How to Start a Critical Essay Introduction

An introduction gives readers a general idea of an essay’s contents. When you work on the introduction, imagine that you are drawing a map for the reader. It not only marks the final destination but also explains the route.

An introduction usually has 4 functions:

• It catches the reader’s attention;
• It states the essay’s main argument;
• It provides some general information about the topic;
• It shows the importance of the issue in question.

Here are some strategies that can make the introduction writing easier:

• Give an overview of the essay’s topic.
• Express the main idea.
• Define the main terms.
• Outline the issues that you are going to explore or argue about.
• Explain the methodology and why you used it.
• Write a hook to attract the reader’s attention.

Critical Analysis Thesis Statement & Examples

A thesis statement is an integral part of every essay. It keeps the paper organized and guides both the reader and the writer. A good thesis:

• expresses the conclusion or position on a topic;
• justifies your position or opinion with reasoning;
• conveys one idea;
• serves as the essay’s map.

To have a clearer understanding of what a good thesis is, let’s have a look at these examples.

The statement on the left is too general and doesn’t provide any reasoning. The one on the right narrows down the group of people to office workers and specifies the benefits of exercising.

Critical Thinking Essay Body Paragraphs: How to Write

Body paragraphs are the part of the essay where you discuss all the ideas and arguments. In a critical thinking essay, arguments are especially important. When you develop them, make sure that they:

• reflect the key theme;
• are supported by the sources/citations/examples.

Using counter-arguments is also effective. It shows that you acknowledge different points of view and are not easily persuaded.

In addition to your arguments, it’s essential to present the evidence . Demonstrate your critical thinking skills by analyzing each source and stating whether the author’s position is valid.

To make your essay logically flow, you may use transitions such as:

• Accordingly,
• For instance,
• On the contrary,
• In conclusion,
• Not only… but also,
• Undoubtedly.

How to Write a Critical Thinking Conclusion

In a critical thinking essay, the notion of “conclusion” is tightly connected to the one used in logic. A logical conclusion is a statement that specifies the author’s point of view or what the essay argues about. Each argument can have only one logical conclusion.

Sometimes they can be confused with premises. Remember that premises serve as a support for the conclusion. Unlike the conclusion, there can be several premises in a single argument. You can learn more about these concepts from the article on a logical consequence by Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Keeping this in mind, have a look at these tips for finishing your essay:

• Briefly sum up the main points.
• Provide a final thought on the issue.
• Suggest some results or consequences.
• Finish up with a call for action.

📑 Critical Thinking Essays Examples & Formatting Tips

Formatting is another crucial aspect of every formal paper. MLA and APA are two popular formats when it comes to academic writing. They share some similarities but overall are still two different styles. Here are critical essay format guidelines that you can use as a reference:

Finally, you’re welcome to check out a full critical essay sample in MLA format. Download the PDF file below:

Currently, the importance of critical thinking has grown rapidly because technological progress has led to expanded access to various content-making platforms: websites, online news agencies, and podcasts with, often, low-quality information. Fake news is used to achieve political and financial aims, targeting people with low news literacy. However, individuals can stop spreading fallacies by detecting false agendas with the help of a skeptical attitude.

✍️ Bonus Tips: Critical Thinking and Writing Exercises

Critical thinking is a process different from our regular thinking. When we think in everyday life, we do it automatically. However, when we’re thinking critically, we do it deliberately.

So how do we get better at this type of thinking and make it a habit? These useful tips will help you do it:

• Ask basic questions. Sometimes, while we are doing research, the explanation becomes too complicated. To avoid it, always go back to your topic.
• Question basic assumptions. When thinking through a problem, ask yourself whether your beliefs can be wrong. Keep an open mind while researching your question.
• Think for yourself. Avoid getting carried away in the research and buying into other people’s opinions.
• Reverse things. Sometimes it seems obvious that one thing causes another, but what if it’s the other way around?
• Evaluate existing evidence. If you work with sources, it’s crucial to evaluate and question them.

Another way to improve your reasoning skills is to do critical thinking exercises. Here are some of them:

Thanks for reading through our article! We hope that you found it helpful and learned some new information. If you liked it, feel free to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• Critical Writing: Examples & Brilliant Tips [2024]
• How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Outline, Steps, & Examples
• How to Write an Analysis Essay: Examples + Writing Guide
• How to Write a Critique Paper: Tips + Critique Essay Examples
• How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay Step by Step
• Critical Thinking and Writing: University of Kent
• Steps to Critical Thinking: Rasmussen University
• 3 Simple Habits to Improve Your Critical Thinking: Harvard Business Review
• In-Class Writing Exercises: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Demonstrating Critical Thinking in Writing: University of South Australia
• 15 Questions that Teachers and Parents Can Ask Kids to Encourage Critical Thinking: The Hun School
• Questions to Provoke Critical Thinking: Brown University
• How to Write a College Critical Thinking Essay: Seattle PI
• Introductions: What They Do: Royal Literary Fund
• Thesis Statements: Arizona State University
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Critical Thinking Guide

Have you been asked to complete an assignment and one of the criteria is "critical analysis"? Have you received feedback on an assignment that says "little analysis", or "no clear argument", or "too descriptive"?

This guide introduces the idea of critical thinking for university study. Essays, reports, presentations and position papers all require you to show that you not only have researched and understood the topic, but that you have thought deeply about it and can express your thinking in appropriate ways.

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking has been defined in many ways, but is essentially the process of deliberate, systematic and logical thinking on any subject, while considering bias or assumptions that may affect your discussion.  Critical thinking can be defined as, "the art of analysing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it" (Paul & Elder 2009). 

Critical thinkers test what they are told and what they read.

A critical thinker...

Thinking at university.

At high school, most learning occurs at the levels of knowledge, understanding and application. For example, you may be expected to learn the names and properties of chemical elements (knowledge), understand why some react with others (understanding) and conduct experiments (application). At these levels, memory and comprehension are necessary, and remain so at university. However, your markers will expect more.

Markers often write comments on assignments which only communicate these lower levels of thinking, such as; "this is just description", "analyse this in more detail", or "you haven't understood the issues".

The thinking you need

Bloom's Taxonomy of Intellectual Behaviour - or the thinking you need to do at university *

The pyramid below shows the levels of thinking skills expected at university in all disciplines of study.

The top three intellectual behaviours

The top three intellectual behaviours—Analysis, evaluation, and creating—are considered higher levels of thinking and help us to demonstrate our critical thinking.

• Analysis refers to the process of examining the parts of a whole, the causes and results of events, and the differences between phenomena. For example, an economics student may be asked to analyse the causes of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. To get a high mark, the student would have to do more than describe what happened. He/she would be expected to name the main factors, explain which of these were the most important, and consider how the crisis could have been avoided.
• Evaluation may seem the most difficult, because it involves expressing opinions about the work of other people or expressing a justification for choices or ideas. It must follow from the other types of thinking, because you must understand the theories and ideas of a subject area in order to evaluate them successfully. For example, the engineering student solving a design problem that has many possible solutions. The student would choose the best solution by identifying, comparing and testing the theories and ideas related to the design problem.
• Creating is the process of joining or combining information and ideas from different sources to create something new. To create, you must be familiar with existing knowledge and practices in your field and be able to take parts of them to combine in new ways. Consider education students designing lesson plans based on educational theories and combining techniques from different sources with their own ideas.  Even if no single part of the plan is original, the 'mix' is unique.

* Adapted from Krathwohl D. (2002)  A revision of Bloom's taxonomy: An overview .  In Theory into Practice, Vol 41, No.4, College of Education; Ohio State University.

Research is a conversation

Textbooks and study guides often present knowledge as absolute and unchanging. However, at university knowledge is continually discussed and re-evaulated through considering ideas, evidence and consequences. In fact, all disciplines of study—such as economics, arts, education, engineering, medicine, science or law—are constantly under review in academic journals, laboratories and faculties. Researchers discuss each other's work and build on it to develop new insights in their fields. This process of research, evaluation, reflection and feedback is like a conversation, and your university courses are an opportunity for you to join in. You will not only gain knowledge but will also create knowledge.

What are you thinking?

Before you start a course or an assignment, consider these questions:

• What do I already know?
• What do I want to learn about this subject?
• What assumptions, attitudes, values or beliefs do I have that may influence my thinking?

Working out what you do not know is also an important part of critical thinking. You may not yet be an expert on the topic, but you will have unique perspectives and experiences to contribute to the research conversation.

Being critical is good

In everyday language, 'criticise' has a negative meaning—pointing out weaknesses or finding fault. However, not all criticism is negative in an academic context. As a student, you may not feel you have the right to 'criticise' the published work of researchers and practitioners. At University, criticism or critique is the practice of examining and evaluating the reasons and evidence for claims on any topic. Critiques usually include strengths as well as limitations. This is a positive activity that updates and builds knowledge.

What is the current thinking on this topic?

When you read in your discipline or listen to a lecture, ask yourself:

• Where do these ideas come from?  
• Does your experience or current knowledge support these ideas?
• Is the information the same or different from claims made by others?
• What criteria can I use to test or verify this information?

Tips and resources

Tips and resources for developing your critical thinking.

Tips for critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill, so develop the following habits to help develop your critical thinking skills:

Check the requirements of your courses

What are the lecturers' expectations of their students? What types of assessment are used? What grading criteria are used? What are the learning outcomes of each course? For more on understanding the task see - Answering assignment questions .

Read strategically

Look at the title, abstract, summary, introduction, and conclusion of your readings to decide whether you need to read all of the text, only some of it, or whether you can skip it altogether. For more on critical reading strategies see - Tips for effective reading .

Make notes as you read

Make notes as you read, using your own words. Always note the source of the text: by whom, where and when it was published. Write down any questions you have, or possible problems with the writer's ideas. For more on note-making see - Taking notes from your reading .

Work with classmates to discuss ideas

You should always write your own assignments, but you can improve your understanding by discussing ideas and information with your peers and your tutors. For more information see - Group work .

Write regularly about your own ideas

Write regularly about your own ideas, thoughts and feelings on a topic. Writing helps you clarify your thinking in terms of relevance, reasoning, and accuracy. Some professional courses may also require reflective writing assignments, such as built environment, education, engineering, medicine and social work. For more on reflective writing see - Reflective writing .

Find your voice

Express your ideas and do not be afraid to take risks. The best assignments show original thought, even if your ideas differ from the marker's ideas. Remember to support your views with valid reasons and solid evidence. For more on analysing and evaluating texts see - Some general criteria for evaluating texts .

Example from a student essay

Here is an example paragraph from the body of a student's essay (reproduced with permission). The assignment required the student to visit a museum exhibition and then critically discuss it. [Note that use of personal pronouns was accepted for this assignment] What levels of thinking can we see in the text?

Recommended reading

• The Critical Thinking Community
• Bridge8-Exploring how science informs our world (Critical thinking animations)

Academic Skills

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How to Write a Critical Essay

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Olivia Valdes was the Associate Editorial Director for ThoughtCo. She worked with Dotdash Meredith from 2017 to 2021.

• B.A., American Studies, Yale University

A critical essay is a form of academic writing that analyzes, interprets, and/or evaluates a text. In a critical essay, an author makes a claim about how particular ideas or themes are conveyed in a text, then supports that claim with evidence from primary and/or secondary sources.

In casual conversation, we often associate the word "critical" with a negative perspective. However, in the context of a critical essay, the word "critical" simply means discerning and analytical. Critical essays analyze and evaluate the meaning and significance of a text, rather than making a judgment about its content or quality.

What Makes an Essay "Critical"? 

Imagine you've just watched the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." If you were chatting with friends in the movie theater lobby, you might say something like, "Charlie was so lucky to find a Golden Ticket. That ticket changed his life." A friend might reply, "Yeah, but Willy Wonka shouldn't have let those raucous kids into his chocolate factory in the first place. They caused a big mess."

These comments make for an enjoyable conversation, but they do not belong in a critical essay. Why? Because they respond to (and pass judgment on) the raw content of the movie, rather than analyzing its themes or how the director conveyed those themes.

On the other hand, a critical essay about "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" might take the following topic as its thesis: "In 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,' director Mel Stuart intertwines money and morality through his depiction of children: the angelic appearance of Charlie Bucket, a good-hearted boy of modest means, is sharply contrasted against the physically grotesque portrayal of the wealthy, and thus immoral, children."

This thesis includes a claim about the themes of the film, what the director seems to be saying about those themes, and what techniques the director employs in order to communicate his message. In addition, this thesis is both supportable  and  disputable using evidence from the film itself, which means it's a strong central argument for a critical essay .

Characteristics of a Critical Essay

Critical essays are written across many academic disciplines and can have wide-ranging textual subjects: films, novels, poetry, video games, visual art, and more. However, despite their diverse subject matter, all critical essays share the following characteristics.

• Central claim . All critical essays contain a central claim about the text. This argument is typically expressed at the beginning of the essay in a thesis statement , then supported with evidence in each body paragraph. Some critical essays bolster their argument even further by including potential counterarguments, then using evidence to dispute them.
• Evidence . The central claim of a critical essay must be supported by evidence. In many critical essays, most of the evidence comes in the form of textual support: particular details from the text (dialogue, descriptions, word choice, structure, imagery, et cetera) that bolster the argument. Critical essays may also include evidence from secondary sources, often scholarly works that support or strengthen the main argument.
• Conclusion . After making a claim and supporting it with evidence, critical essays offer a succinct conclusion. The conclusion summarizes the trajectory of the essay's argument and emphasizes the essays' most important insights.

Tips for Writing a Critical Essay

Writing a critical essay requires rigorous analysis and a meticulous argument-building process. If you're struggling with a critical essay assignment, these tips will help you get started.

• Practice active reading strategies . These strategies for staying focused and retaining information will help you identify specific details in the text that will serve as evidence for your main argument. Active reading is an essential skill, especially if you're writing a critical essay for a literature class.
• Read example essays . If you're unfamiliar with critical essays as a form, writing one is going to be extremely challenging. Before you dive into the writing process, read a variety of published critical essays, paying careful attention to their structure and writing style. (As always, remember that paraphrasing an author's ideas without proper attribution is a form of plagiarism .)
• Resist the urge to summarize . Critical essays should consist of your own analysis and interpretation of a text, not a summary of the text in general. If you find yourself writing lengthy plot or character descriptions, pause and consider whether these summaries are in the service of your main argument or whether they are simply taking up space.
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How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Effective Tips

Have you ever found yourself in a scenario when thinking critically gave you a competitive edge? Or when your reasoning spared you the trouble of taking the longer path toward a specific goal? Using logic instead of emotions to make conclusions is vital for everybody’s educational and career goals.

Sharpening your critical thinking involves extensive research and writing evidence-based and well-developed academic papers. And while this task can be challenging, evaluating data and providing justified opinions can become less complicated with practice. Edusson can provide assistance in this process, offering helpful tips and resources to help you improve your critical thinking skills. And while this task can be challenging, evaluating data and providing justified opinions can become less complicated with practice.

This article offers an overview of the definition, outline, and formatting rules with tips on writing a critical-thinking essay. It also features an example of what you should include in your paper for the best possible outcome.

What Is a Critical Thinking Essay?

As a writing type, critical thinking essays aim to demonstrate your ability to consider information critically and present reliable findings. With it, teachers strive to help students improve their analytical skills and work with loads of information.

One of the most practical ways to arm learners with this ability is through written assignments. This way, they learn that the essence of critical analysis essay writing is to ponder and answer the right questions. Moreover, these essay types are beneficial for solving problems, reflecting on events, and analyzing experiences.

The methods leading to an excellent written piece include reading texts carefully, taking a methodological approach, and finding weaknesses and discrepancies. Moreover, the student must elaborate on various concepts, rationalize and structure data, and express thoughts clearly.

The challenge behind these academic tasks is to succeed in both creating a high-quality essay and developing well-founded arguments about an issue. Teachers will assess your knowledge of a specific topic and the skills to filter out questionable data. To this end, ensure you have a robust standpoint based on credible research.

Additionally, when you feel overwhelmed by the challenge of these academic tasks, you can rely on the expertise of professionals who offer buy research papers  to provide you with quality essays and well-founded arguments.

How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay Outline?

Outlining your paper serves as an organizer that eases your further work. The structure resembles critical response essays in terms of length and layout. However, there are some aspects you need to be aware of to write a perfect, critically oriented essay.

Introductory Segment

The opening part presents the general idea of your essay. Its purpose is to introduce the readers to the issue by grabbing their attention at the onset. You can also include well-known facts and highlight the importance of the problem. Finally, ensure you end the introduction with your thesis statement that announces the consecutive explanations.

The body can consist of several paragraphs, depending on how many assertions you want to discuss. Typically, it makes up about 90% of the entire essay. If you struggle with the layout, consider a professional custom writing service for advice and guidance on framing your paper.

Use the body to develop the outline underpinning the main issue. To this end, you will need to rely on trustworthy research, citations, and examples. Unbiased fact collection will also help you take a convincing viewpoint backed up by relevant evidence and persuade readers to adopt your attitude.

Writers can also include counter-arguments to showcase their aptitude for tackling different opinions and rejecting them as irrelevant. Counter-arguments can also give credibility and objectivity to your piece. Most importantly, ensure you dedicate one paragraph per idea.

Another unique feature of critical papers is the chance to portray your opinion in an additional body section. You can explain whether and how it transformed during the research phase.

Closing Segment

The final part should evaluate cross-references, summarize arguments, and urge further research. Also, the essay must end with a logical summary of the findings by referring back to the earlier points. Use this section to stress what you were trying to prove.

The skeleton of the ideal critical thinking essay should look like this:

Introduction

• Hook and background information
• General facts and terms
• Thesis statement
• Source evaluation
• Argument and counter-argument development
• Credible evidence and examples
• Summary of all considerations
• Mention existing areas of doubt
• Call for action.

How to Write a Perfect Critical Thinking Essay?

Presenting various standpoints and defending yours with plausible supporting ideas can be time-consuming. To help you out, we offer guidelines for conceptualizing a high-rated critical thinking essay format. Follow the five steps below.

1. Delve into the Topic

Study the requirements provided by your mentor and apply them in detail. Your teacher might also pick a topic for you (book, movie, art, historical event, or a social dilemma) or leave this to your discretion. Ensure you understand the instructions before you start researching and gathering information. It is also advisable to read materials that address the subject matter.

2. Collect Data

Gather relevant notes about the issue that will help you write your paper. Besides primary sources of information, you might also consult critics’ reviews and online materials. Ideally, you should collect at least five references, such as books, journals, and articles. All these must be closely related to your topic and support your argumentation.

3. Analyze All Sides

Assess the evidence you find and touch upon all aspects of the issue. Don’t forget to establish your position and formulate a compelling thesis statement. Any argument you decide to include in your final work must be well-substantiated. Finally, use this step to show your creative self and present new perspectives on the dilemma that nobody has explored before.

4. Write the First Draft

Many wonder how to start a critical thinking essay and attract the readers’ interest. To this end, use engaging statistics and facts, share an anecdote, or pose a thought-provoking question. Steer away from cliché and overgeneralized beginnings.

When writing the essay, ensure all reasoning supports the main claim and contributes to your position. Be consistent and concise, and don’t go off tangent by adding irrelevant information or fillers. Add explanations if you deem this will help the reader better grasp the topic.

The body paragraphs should also judge the value of your discussion. Those who struggle with structure might turn to a descriptive essay writing service to provide samples or edit their rough draft. Conducting deep process analysis and selecting credible and controversial ideas requires honed critical thinking skills.

5. Polish and Revise

When the first draft is ready, sleep on it and proofread it the following day. Check whether the paper offers reliable argumentation and consistent and accurate facts. You must also ensure your work is free of typos and grammatical mistakes. Moreover, transitioning from one idea to another is vital to convey your thoughts. If you’re struggling to meet these requirements, consider taking advantage of a college paper writing service to help polish your paper. Finally, scan your work for possible plagiarism and check whether you cited your references properly (parenthesis or footnotes).

What Are the Critical Thinking Essay Formatting Tips?

The essay formatting is essential for the final assessment. Hence, many people buy a literature essay online to ensure an excellent grade. Supposing you use the MLA format, pay attention to the following rules:

• The title page must include a top heading, your and your instructor’s full name, the course, and the due date.
• The paper should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins.
• Include a page header with page numbers on the right side.
• Write in 11 or 12 font sizes.
• Set 1/2” indent for new paragraphs.
• When citing, include the author’s name and page number at the end of the sentence in parentheses.
• Add a “Works Cited” section on a separate page at the end.

Critical Thinking Essay’s Paragraph Example

Learning through examples is practical and straightforward. Therefore, we included a sample to highlight the importance of a critical thinking essay.

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How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay With Tips and Examples

11 December 2023

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Essay writing is an integral academic exercise for students in higher educational institutions. As an example of different paper types, a critical thinking essay requires students to employ analytical and reflective writing skills. In essence, these skills underscore essential features of a critical thinking essay: analysis of information, reflection on key findings, a review of the relevance of the information, and an identification of any conclusions made by the author(s) or other scholars. Hence, a critical thinking essay is a specific type of writing that requires learners to read documents and make interpretations from their points of view. In turn, writers need to learn how to write a critical thinking essay to master their analytical, creative, and reflective skills.

General Guidelines for Writing a Critical Thinking Essay

Critical thinking is an essential skill, particularly for students who need to analyze and interpret data. In this case, the essence of this skill is that learners confront issues every day that require them to make prompt decisions. Moreover, critical thinking is the mechanism by which individuals arrive at these decisions. Therefore, a critical thinking essay is a document that allows students to address an issue holistically. Then, it means addressing issues in an essay format by using critical thinking skills from different perspectives, highlighting possible alternatives, and making well-thought-out decisions. To the audience, such a text makes it easy to understand the writer’s message and either agree or disagree with it. Besides, the decision to agree or disagree is based on the writer’s information regarding an issue in question. Hence, this is why authors of critical thinking essays need to provide details that make their arguments stronger and more palatable to the audience.

1. Defining Characteristics of a Critical Thinking Essay

When writing a critical thinking essay, students should address several essential features. Firstly, writers need to reflect on what they have read, meaning taking time to consider the relevance of the information. In this case, such an attitude helps them to make strong arguments in defense of their points of view. Secondly, learners need to analyze how the information is presented and state whether it is sufficient or needs improvement. Thirdly, writers need to review the information based on previous knowledge. Here, they should say whether the information advances a concept or theory or contradicts existing knowledge. Finally, scholars need to identify the conclusion reached by the author(s) of the information and support or challenge it.

2. How to Identify a Critical Thinking Essay

Based on the essential features described above, students can tell whether an essay that they are writing is a critical thinking paper. Ideally, learners can know that their papers are critical thinking essays if prompt requirements require them to read and analyze a text. Basically, the analysis process includes reflecting on the text, commenting on how information is presented and its relation to previous knowledge, and supporting or challenging the conclusion made. In principle, these requirements reflect the defining features of a critical thinking essay.

3. How Does a Critical Thinking Essay Differ From Other Papers

A critical thinking essay differs fundamentally from other types of essays because it requires a student to read a text, such as a book or a poem, and analyze it using the writer’s perspective. Moreover, some instructions need students to analyze a film. In other words, writing a critical thinking essay emphasizes the students’ understanding of information and the meaning of what they have read, watched, or heard. Indeed, it is a central point of difference from other types of papers that require students to refrain from personal viewpoints. Then, this feature means that instructors grade a critical thinking essay based on the writer’s ability to develop a coherent argument and use essential writing skills. In this light, one can argue that a critical thinking essay is a form of an argumentative essay .

Free Examples of 20 Topics for Writing a Critical Thinking Essay

1. identify communication differences between men and women.

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read texts that talk about how men and women communicate and identify the differences. In this case, writers should analyze what they have read and summarize it via concise statements or arguments.

2. Discuss Drug Use in Sports

Under this topic, the students’ task is to research texts, such as research journal articles and government reports, that address the problem of drug use in sports and summarize their findings.

3. Explore the Anti-Meth Campaign

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read widely about anti-meth campaigns and provide an in-depth analysis of their impacts. By reading a critical thinking essay, the audience should understand whether specific campaigns have been effective or ineffective.

4. Discuss Homelessness and Its Social Impacts

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read texts about homelessness, such as journal articles and reports by governments and other humanitarian organizations, and explain the root causes and social implications of homelessness.

5. Discuss the History of College Football in the United States

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read documents, such as books and media articles, narrating college football history in the US. After writing a critical thinking essay, the audience should identify specific challenges that college football has faced in its development in the country.

6. Explore Health Effects of Obesity

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read research studies and medical reports discussing obesity. In turn, a critical thinking essay should explain the specific causes of obesity and the risks that obese individuals face.

7. Discuss the Significance of Street Art and Graffiti

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read texts discussing the evolution of street art and graffiti and make compelling arguments as to why they are essential features of modern art.

8. Sports On Television: Is It Necessary?

Under this topic, the students’ task is to explain why television has become a critical platform for sports and how it undermines or helps advance its social and cultural significance.

9. What Is the Essence of Multicultural Identity?

Under this topic, the students’ task is to explore the phenomenon of multiculturalism that has become notable and acceptable in modern society and explain its significance.

10. The Relevance of Body Size in Modeling

Under this topic, the students’ task is to explore the modeling profession and explain why body size matters. In other words, a critical thinking essay should make a case as to why a model should have a particular body size.

11. Understanding Multicultural Families

Under this topic, the students’ task is to explore multicultural families by reading texts that address the issue from a research or commentary perspective and summarize the leading arguments.

12. Changing Gender Roles: What It Means for Traditionalists

Under this topic, the student’s task is to explore gender roles from a historical and present perspective and discuss how it threatens or cements traditional views about the roles of men and women.

13. What Is Ethnic Music, and Does It Matter in a Multicultural Society?

Under this topic, the students’ task is to study multiculturalism and identify how ethnic music is a significant characteristic.

14. American Society and the Latino Influence

Under this topic, the students’ task is to study contemporary American society’s characteristics and indicate the extent to which Latinos and their culture (Latin American) have become a significant part of the American identity.

15. Challenges of Single-Parent Households

Under this topic, the students’ task is to read research studies on single parenthood and identify its challenges.

16. What Are the Features of a Good Movie?

Under this topic, the students’ task is to watch movies they consider “good” and provide an analysis of what makes them so.

17. Describe a Poem With a First-Person Point of View

Under this topic, the students’ task is to select a poem, examine it, and describe its outstanding features, such as literary devices.

18. The Dynamics of Adoption in a Multicultural Society

Under this topic, the students’ task is to examine the aspect of adoption within the context of a multicultural society.

19. What Store Strategies Influence Consumers?

Under this topic, the students’ task is to study the phenomenon of retail stores and give an analysis of specific factors that lead to their growth or shut down.

20. Euthanasia: The Questions of Ethics, Morals, and Legality

Under this topic, the students’ task is to examine the aspect of euthanasia (mercy or assisted killing) and give an opinion on whether society should address it from a perspective of ethics, morals, or law.

How Students Can Understand if They Need to Write a Critical Thinking Essay by Looking at a Topic

When it comes to essay writing, the department’s requirements provide direction about a critical thinking topic. By reading such a topic, students get an idea of what kind of paper they are supposed to write. Regarding a critical thinking essay, a topic should require students to research a specific theme, reflect on what they have read, and comment on how the author(s) have presented information, the relevance of the information to existing knowledge, and the significance of the author’s conclusion. In turn, these five tasks underscore the essential features of a critical thinking essay.

Structure of a Critical Thinking Essay

When it comes to an essay structure , a critical thinking essay comprises three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. When writing each of these sections, students should capture essential features. Firstly, the introduction should provide a hook to capture the readers’ attention and formulate a thesis statement to guide the paper’s arguments and ideas. In the body, writers should use topic sentences to introduce paragraphs. Besides, students should follow a sandwich rule, where they make a claim, provide supporting facts, and explain the significance of cited evidence to the paper’s thesis. In the conclusion part, authors should restate a thesis statement, summarize the main body points, and make a concluding remark. Finally, other essential features that learners should use in the main text are transitions to give a critical thinking paper a natural and logical flow of ideas and arguments.

Sample Outline Template for Writing a Critical Thinking Essay

I. Introduction

A. Start with a hook sentence that makes a critical thinking essay interesting. B. Cover brief information about a theme discussed in body paragraphs. C. End with a thesis statement of a critical thinking essay.

A. Background Information:

• introduce an issue for readers;
• provide examples that support this issue;
• explain how examples correlate with a theme;
• finish with defining an issue for readers.

B. Argument on an Issue

• begin with an argument on an issue;
• covers examples to support this argument;
• explain how examples and argument are related;
• conclude how an argument on this theme is relevant.

C. Importance of an Issue

• state why this issue is important;
• support this statement with examples from credible sources;
• explain how these examples underline the importance of an issue;
• end with a concluding sentence that supports this importance.

III. Conclusion

A. Restate a thesis claim. B. Cover the key points discussed in body paragraphs. C. Provide a final thought on an issue.

An Example of a Critical Thinking Essay

Topic: Roles of Critical Thinking Skills

I. Introduction Sample of a Critical Thinking Essay

Critical thinking is a requirement in higher education because it reflects the level of mental preparedness of students intending to join the labor industry. In this case, essay writing is one of the strategies that higher education institutions use to develop these critical thinking skills in students. Writing argumentative essays has profoundly shaped my critical thinking skills and made me more reflective and analytical in my texts.

II. Examples of Body Paragraphs in a Critical Thinking Essay

A. background information of an issue.

The advent of the Internet opened a new world of research as scholars found a platform to publish research findings. Besides scholars, public and private entities have turned to the online platform to spread information they perceive as critical and needful. Over time, I have come to see the Internet as a crucial reservoir of knowledge, and I always turn to it for personal enrichment. Moreover, Gilster (1997) perceives critical thinking as a critical skill for individuals who use online platforms for academic purposes. In this case, the author demonstrates that, since the Internet is full of falsehoods and incomplete and obsolete information, it is critical for those who depend on this technology to employ critical thinking. Hence, such thinking helps users distinguish between essential, relevant information, and what appears to be irrelevant and nonessential.

On the issue of critical thinking, examining and analyzing content are fundamental exercises. In essence, critical thinking entails reading a text and interpreting it by using an analytical lens. For example, when students read novels, they can use their critical thinking skills to analyze the plot and characters and provide arguments that indicate an in-depth understanding of both (Gilster, 1997). In most cases, such ideas go beyond what is written in the novel to include the student’s interpretation of events. In my case, I use the Internet to find research and media articles on different topics, such as homelessness, substance abuse, crime, and police and law enforcement. Moreover, I use these articles to reflect on the dynamics that shape life in contemporary society, using my critical thinking skills to relate the past, present, and future. Therefore, I can state confidently that this habit has made me a strong debater on contemporary issues.

By using critical thinking skills, readers make deductions, thereby showcasing their understanding levels. As the literature suggests, critical thinking serves as a basis for knowledge accumulation and advancement (Ku & Ho, 2010). In my academic journey, I have employed critical thinking to gain insight into several issues. Furthermore, one of these issues is the significance of politics to the life of ordinary citizens. Then, many documents I have read about politics have made me conclude that politicians are selfish by default and only develop consensus when their interests are accommodated. Hence, this understanding has made me have minimal expectations from local and national political figures.

III. Conclusion Sample of a Critical Thinking Essay

Critical thinking is a key skill that helps individuals to analyze and reflect on information from diverse sources. Over the years, I have used critical thinking to analyze research and media articles published on online platforms and make logical deductions. Moreover, these deductions point to my ability to take information, analyze, and interpret it. Thus, I can confidently state that my critical thinking skills have made me aware of human weaknesses and the risk of putting too much trust in people vulnerable to shortcomings.

Gilster, P. (1997). Digital literacy: The thinking and survival skills new users need to make the Internet personally and professionally meaningful . New York, NY: Wiley.

Ku, K. Y., & Ho, I. T. (2010). Metacognitive strategies that enhance critical thinking. Metacognition and Learning , 5 (3), 251-267.

Summing Up on How to Write a Good Critical Thinking Essay

A critical thinking essay is a document that reflects students’ ability to use analytical and reflective skills in studying an issue. Although writing a critical thinking essay assumes following a basic structure of a standard essay, it has features that distinguish it from other papers. When writing this type of essay, students should master the following tips:

• read and analyze information;
• reflect on study findings;
• review the relevance of the information within the context of existing knowledge;
• identify any conclusions made by authors or other scholars and their significance.

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How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: The Complete Guide

by  Antony W

September 13, 2022

Are you looking for a detailed guide on how to write a critical thinking essay step-by-step? Maybe you have an idea to get you started by you want to be sure you have the right lead?

You’ve come to the right place.

Critical thinking is a complex system that involves conceptualization and evaluation of information and presentation of observation and analysis based on objective reasoning. The application of critical thinking in life dimension lowers the chances of making mistakes and guides humans towards finding, and possibly believing in, some kind of truth.

When it comes to critical thinking essay writing, you’ll have a topic to read and analyze critically. In the end, you should demonstrate that you not only understand everything there is to know about the topic but that you can also present an objective analysis that presents a well-researched theory.

Keep reading this guide to learn exactly how to write a critical thinking essay in the shortest time possible.

What is a Critical Thinking Essay?

A critical thinking essay is an assignment in which students have to demonstrate their analytical abilities. For it’s worth, critical thinking essays should enable you to read attentively, employ methodical doubt, identify flaws in arguments, work with concepts, and articulate thoughts clearly and reasonably.

The foundation of a critical thinking essay is the ability to ask and respond to the appropriate questions. Tutors typically evaluate both the text’s quality and the manner in which a student develops arguments about a certain subject.  

Learning how to write a critical thinking essay is the best way to hone your critical thinking ability. Doing this will assist you in developing the ability to work efficiently with information, arrange it, filter out dubious material, and draw conclusions.

How is a Critical Thinking Essay Different from Other Essay?

A critical thinking essay is essentially different from other types of essays in that it asks students to read a text and examine it through the lens of the author. In other words, producing a critical thinking essay demonstrates students’ comprehension of material and their ability to make sense of what they have read, observed, or heard.

How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay

There following is a step-by-step guide to help you write a critical thinking essay: 

Step #1: Choose a Topic

The initial step should be to choose an appropriate topic. If it is a school or college project, you will most likely receive the subject from your professor. If your teachers do not assign a topic, you may choose one.

The best themes for critical thinking include books, a film, art, or a law. You can demonstrate your knowledge by giving your perspectives on contentious issues and explaining why you support your assertion.

Step #2: Research

Conduct research on the subject and learn about its distinguishing characteristics. What makes your theme unique? By emphasizing the solution to this question, you can write an entirely distinctive critical thinking essay.

Step #3: Write the Essay

Create an outline.

Not only does an outline assist you in organizing your thoughts, but it also assists you in directing your train of thought in the appropriate direction. Additionally, it assists you in organizing your essay in such a way that it has a natural flow or rhythm.

Keep in mind that thoughts come in various ways, but an outline can help you discipline them.

Create a Thesis Statement

The introduction includes a thesis statement. A thesis statement must be compelling. Your thesis statement should be debatable, and you should be able to present adequate evidence to back your response. The thesis statement should serve as the anchor for the remainder of the essay.

Choose the Most Persuasive Evidence

Choose the most persuasive evidence from the outline’s researched list. To weed out the most vulnerable pieces of evidence, ask these questions and keep only those that respond. Which ones best support your thesis? Which of the shards of evidence will be most recognizable by subject-matter experts? Which one has the most authors and specialists advocating for the same cause? The responses will assist you in framing your topic.

Write the Body of the Essay

If you want to discuss a recent incident that affected you, you will need to conduct research to fill out the essay. Not only should you consider meeting the word count specified, but you should also include facts and pieces of pertinent information in your essay.

While expressing your opinion, discuss both the positive and negative aspects. Write about whatever evidence you come across and do not conceal any aspect of your research and provide all sides of your subject.

• Is the issue a representative of contemporary or postmodern themes?
• Does the topic have a connection to any historical event?
• What questions arose as you observed or learned about your subject?
• Create a list of these questions and respond to them in the body paragraphs.

Write a Strong Conclusion

A conclusion paragraph summarizes your points. Your conclusion should emphasize what you’ve attempted to demonstrate or prove to your readers. Prior to writing the final paragraph of your essay, take some time to think about what you have just written in order to conclude your work effectively. You can motivate the reader to take action, summarize the key points, or explain how the subject affects the reader. Make every effort to relate back to previous ideas and connect them into a unified argument.

Some Tips to Help You Write Better

• Take a break after you finish writing the essay. By taking a brief break, you can recharge your brain. Then carefully check your document for typos, grammatical flaws, wordy sentences, and other errors that could jeopardize your work.
• Invite a friend or family member to read your critical thinking and provide helpful feedback.
• Cite all sources, including quotations, figures, and theoretical information that you used in your essay.
• To alleviate stress, begin writing in advance. Typically, last-minute writings have poor grammar and organization.
• Attempt to begin as soon as possible and produce an excellent critical thinking essay!

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

How to Write Critical Thinking Essay | Examples & Guide

What Is a Critical Thinking Essay?

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Academic Writing: Critical Thinking & Writing

• Academic Writing
• Planning your writing
• Structuring your assignment
• Critical Thinking & Writing
• Building an argument
• Reflective Writing
• Summarising, paraphrasing and quoting

Critical Thinking

One of the most important features of studying at university is the expectation that you will engage in thinking critically about your subject area. 

Critical thinking involves asking meaningful questions concerning the information, ideas, beliefs, and arguments that you will encounter. It requires you to approach your studies with a curious, open mind, discard preconceptions, and interrogate received knowledge and established practices.

Critical thinking is key to successfully expressing your individuality as an independent learner and thinker in an academic context. It is also a valuable life skill. 

Critical thinking enables you to:

• Evaluate information, its validity and significance in a particular context.
• Analyse and interpret evidence and data in response to a line of enquiry.
• Weigh-up alternative explanations and arguments.
• Develop your own evidence-based and well-reasoned arguments.
• Develop well-informed viewpoints.
• Formulate your own independent, justifiable ideas.
• Actively engage with the wider scholarship of your academic community.

Writing Critically

Being able to demonstrate and communicate critical thinking in your written assignments through critical writing is key to achieving academic success. 

Critical writing can be distinguished from descriptive writing which is concerned with conveying information rather than interrogating information. Understanding the difference between these two styles of academic writing and when to use them is important.

The balance between descriptive writing and critical writing will vary depending on the nature of the assignment and the level of your studies. Some level of descriptive writing is generally necessary to support critical writing. More sophisticated criticality is generally required at higher levels of study with less descriptive content. You will continue to develop your critical writing skills as you progress through your course.

Descriptive Writing and Critical Writing

• Descriptive Writing
• Critical Writing
• Examples of Critical Writing

Descriptive writing demonstrates the knowledge you have of a subject, and your knowledge of what other people say about that subject.  Descriptive writing often responds to questions framed as ‘what’ , ‘where’ , ‘who’ and ‘when’ .

Descriptive writing might include the following:

• Description of what something is or what it is about (an account, facts, observable features, details): a topic, problem, situation, or context of the subject under discussion.
• Description of where it takes place (setting and context), who is involved and when it occurs. 
• Re-statement or summary of what others say about the topic.
• Background facts and information for a discussion.

Description usually comes before critical content so that the reader can understand the topic you are critically engaging with.

Critical writing requires you to apply interpretation, analysis, and evaluation to the descriptions you have provided. Critical writing often responds to questions framed as ‘how’ or ‘why’ . Often, critical writing will require you to build an argument which is supported by evidence. 

Some indicators of critical writing are:

• Investigation of positive and negative perspectives on ideas
• Supporting ideas and arguments with evidence, which might include authoritative sources, data, statistics, research, theories, and quotations
• Balanced, unbiased appraisal of arguments and counterarguments/alternative viewpoints
• Honest recognition of the limitations of an argument and supporting evidence
• Plausible, rational, convincing, and well-reasoned conclusions 

Critical writing might include the following:

• Applying an idea or theory to different situations or relate theory to practice. Does the idea work/not work in practice? Is there a factor that makes it work/not work? For example: 'Smith's (2008) theory on teamwork is effective in the workplace because it allows a diverse group of people with different skills to work effectively'.
• Justifying why a process or policy exists. For example: 'It was necessary for the nurse to check the patient's handover notes because...'
• Proposing an alternative approach to view and act on situations. For example: 'By adopting a Freirian approach, we could view the student as a collaborator in our teaching and learning'. Or: 'If we had followed the NMC guidelines we could have made the patient feel calm and relaxed during the consultation'.
• Discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of an idea/theory/policy. Why does this idea/theory/policy work? Or why does this idea not work? For example: 'Although Smith's (2008) theory on teamwork is useful for large teams, there are challenges in applying this theory to teams who work remotely'. 
• Discussion of how the idea links to other ideas in the field (synthesis). For example: 'the user experience of parks can be greatly enhanced by examining Donnelly's (2009) customer service model used in retail’.
• Discussion of how the idea compares and contrasts with other ideas/theories. For example: ‘The approach advocated by the NMC differs in comparison because of factor A and factor C’.
• Discussion of the ‘’up-to-datedness” and relevance of an idea/theory/policy (its currency). For example: 'although this approach was successful in supporting the local community, Smith's model does not accommodate the needs of a modern global economy'. 
• Evaluating an idea/theory/policy by providing evidence-informed judgment. For example: 'Therefore, May's delivery model should be discontinued as it has created significant issues for both customers and staff (Ransom, 2018)'.
• Creating new perspectives or arguments based on knowledge. For example: 'to create strong and efficient buildings, we will look to the designs provided by nature. The designs of the Sydney Opera House are based on the segments of an orange (Cook, 2019)'. 

Further Reading

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• Next: Building an argument >>
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2.1: Critical Thinking Essay

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• Page ID 94303

• Andrew Gurevich
• Mt Hood Community College via MHCC Library Press

In the first few weeks, we will watch several TED Talks about the nature of the brain, the complex relationship between critical and creative thinking, and how emerging research in hemispheric science sheds some light on how we think about the world. We will also read several articles on the same (or similar) topics. After watching these talks, we will also review some of the basic material on how arguments are evaluated in academic contexts (by exploring the Greek model of Logos, Pathos & Ethos). Then in your essay, please address the following:

• What is the importance of developing a proper understanding of the nature of critical and creative thinking and how the two must be used in relationship to one another? With quotes and references to the TED Talks , class readings, and your own research and experience, please discuss what we are learning about the nature of critical and creative thinking and how we must use the two in conjunction to help us generate ideas for collaborative design and problem solving.(HINT: This should be the lens through which you generate your primary thesis statement which will, in turn, direct the ways you develop and discuss the rest of the elements you have been asked to explore. In other words, use this as the frame by which you choose what you will focus on with regard to the nature of the brain, critical thinking and argument.)
• If appropriate to your thesis, discuss how the emerging research in brain hemispheric science influences our understanding of the critical and creative thinking processes.
• If appropriate to your thesis, discuss how evidence-based approaches to argument (Logos) are central to properly developing, analyzing and understanding the arguments we encounter in the world.
• If appropriate to your thesis, what is the importance of cultivating “intellectual humility” and avoiding the panic often associated with “being wrong” in the process of becoming strong critical and creative thinkers?

Remember, an essay is an “attempt” to interact meaningfully with concepts that require careful, thoughtful reflection and exploration. Think of this assignment as a conversation between yourself and the speakers about the substantive issues the TED Talks address.

Assignment Details:

• 3-5 sources consulted in the essay and listed on a Works Cited page.
• 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12.pt font. MLA format.
• Present your main idea in a clear thesis statement in the Introduction.
• Support your claim or focus with evidence and examples from the TED Talks and some more external research.
• Present one major point (in a topic sentence) per paragraph and explain it fully, with detailed support and examples, before you move on to your next point/paragraph.
• Wrap up your essay with a conclusion that revisits your overall topic and thesis.
• Remember to include an “in-text” citation following each source you quote, summarize or paraphrase.
• We have several pages posted here in The Writing Process page that deal with proper MLA documentation. Please refer to them.
• Consult the MHCC databases for relevant articles related to your research.
• Submit your essay by the due date on the schedule in the appropriate place in the week’s lesson module.
• Follow the submission instructions there for uploading your essay.

Things to Consider:

• You may write an essay that is more personal but based in the relevant research. Or you may write an essay that is more clinical and objective in scope that looks at the issue from a societal and/or cultural perspective. Either way, pick something that is interesting to you and to your own life, career path, goals, etc. and make it relevant to the material we have been covering so far.
• Remember, also, that a thesis statement may begin (in a draft form) as a question but by the time you turn your essay in, it has to be stated as an assertion.
• Develop your thesis through a primary pattern of development: (personal narrative, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, etc.) These can be explored in “The Writing Process” section of our BlackBoard page.

Sample Topics:

These are listed in rough form. You may pick from these or develop your own:

• Intellectual humility, grounding critical thinking in sound reasoning and authoritative, relevant support, and being curious and asking the right questions.
• Importance of being wrong, withholding judgment until enough evidence is gathered, and considering multiple perspectives.
• Being “critical” of something is not the same as attacking or dismissing it. Critical and Creative Thinking. What each is and how they work together.
• Left and Right Hemispheres. What the new research shows and how this influences our understanding of the critical and creative thinking processes.
• Memory and the pitfalls and opportunities it presents when engaged in critical and creative thinking processes.

Sample Outline:

Topic choice (converted to a workable thesis statement):

Strong critical and creative thinking skills include the abilities to: recognize the importance of being wrong, withhold judgment until enough evidence is gathered, and consider multiple perspectives.

• General Introduction and a developed Thesis based on the above topics.
• Importance of being wrong. Support paragraphs that use proper references to the TED Talks, your own experience and external research.
• Withholding judgment until enough evidence is gathered. Support paragraphs that use proper references to the TED Talks, your own experience and external research.
• Considering multiple perspectives. Support paragraphs that use proper references to the TED Talks, your own experience and external research.
• Conclusion that revisits main Thesis and provides a sense of closure.

Essay About Critical Thinking: Top 5 Examples and Prompts

Critical thinking refers to our ability to reason; if you want to write an essay about critical thinking, here are helpful essay examples and prompts for you.

Critical thinkers can understand connections between opinions or ideas and detect reasoning inconsistencies. They can also identify, analyze, and solve problems systematically since they rigorously question ideas instead of immediately accepting them as facts. However, no one can think critically all the time. Our emotions, beliefs,  and current mindset affect our ability to reason. 

To better understand how critical thinking applies to our lives, below are samples you need to read:

1. The Value of Teaching Critical Thinking by Kenny Ward

2. how positive thinking relates to learners by jeanne morales, 3. barriers to critical thinking by olga george, 4. the difference between creative and critical thinking by eduardo ortega, 5. critical thinking philosophy by anonymous on cram.com, 1. what is school’s role in developing critical thinking, 2. the relationship between ethics and critical thinking, 3. leaders in unifying and dividing a country, 4. critical thinking in the medical field, 5. critical thinking, decision making, and stress management, 6. the effect of social media on critical thinking skills, 7. barriers to having critical thinking skills.

“Critical thinking helps you to imagine yourself in others… and to develop your ability to listen to them with an open mind, even if their views are contrary to you.”

Ward’s essay talks about the importance of teaching critical thinking. To think critically means to understand yourself better. Doing so will help you accept and learn from your mistakes. You will also better connect with the people around you because you’ll be able to put yourself in their shoes. You’ll learn to use your mind over your emotions in critical thinking.

Check out these essays about beliefs .

“Metacognition… makes me think that I don’t really have all the answers to the world, and need to keep on exercising my brain to capture knowledge, and progressively start increasing my learning, because there is a lot of stuff out there, to not be ignorant and learn.”

Morales discusses the reality that students are fond of having their “free time” but won’t use it to stimulate their brains. Further, she explains that students today cannot control their use of technology, thereby direly affecting their learning.

It’s vital that students be aware of learning, be open-minded, and ask questions to get answers. The author believes that asking questions aids a person in developing knowledge. Additionally, for Morales, it’s best to focus on one thing to avoid distractions. Because when a person multitasks, especially students, their attention gets divided, and their tasks will take longer to finish. 

“To overcome this, we can try to not rely only on the first thing you hear and to do our research and ask questions when needed to gather more information.”

George’s essay tackles the barriers to his critical thinking. The first barrier is that he relies on mainstream media which has its own agenda. This is dangerous, as they can intentionally spread misinformation for their gain. The internet is also unreliable since it can fabricate data.

The second barrier he talks about is the ignorance or lack of details about a report or information. He explains that not having enough information is difficult for a critical thinker. An individual can come to the wrong conclusion about a specific story or event if the information is lacking.

“When you are thinking creatively, you are generating a new set of ideas… When you are thinking critically, you are making choices from ideas someone has already created.”

Ortega discusses what separates creative and critical thinking by laying down relevant quotes and examples in his essay. 

For him, creative thinking means creating, generating, or bringing out new possibilities. Creative thinking is nonjudgemental and expansive, for you must think broadly. In contrast, critical thinking is about the ideas you already made or choosing from the ideas you already have. Therefore, critical thinking needs to be analytical, judgemental, and selective. 

“I have learned that one of the most important aspects of critical thinking is to decide what you are aiming to achieve and then make a decision based on a range of possibilities.”

The author describes critical thinking as the ability to reason and be an active learner. He uses it as a crucial step in his decision-making process and urges others to do the same. He also mentions that people can use their “wasted time” productively by thinking critically. 

7 Prompts About Critical Thinking

Here are 7 helpful writing prompts to get you started on your next essay.

Critical thinking is learned, making schools primarily responsible for children developing their critical thinking abilities. In your essay, you can include why schools should pay attention to their students’ critical thinking. 

Next, add existing operations schools follow to progress their student’s thought processes. Then discuss steps in developing their student’s analyzation skills as it can significantly impact their future decision-making. 

While critical thinking aids us in reaching a rational decision, ethics or values help us land a morally-correct one. Create an essay that argues critical thinking needs ethics and vice versa. Explain why, and write about their relationship. You may also offer examples by sharing your experience or personal observations.

Do you want to be an influential essay writer who takes a clear stand on a specific subject? See our guide on how to write an argumentative essay .

Writing an essay about critical thinking doesn’t mean you should only talk about what critical thinking means. In this prompt, you can demonstrate your critical thinking by showing your prowess in politics.

It doesn’t have to be controversial or jargon-filled. You can pick leaders’ qualities that you know will help unify or divide a country. For example, you can point out current problems and recommend solutions that a leader with a certain quality can understand and provide. 

Working in the medical field requires a lot of critical thinking. People in this field deal with their lives. It’s an intriguing prompt that will allow you to put yourself in a professional position and let your readers understand their points of view. 

A great example is putting yourself in a position of a doctor who needs to choose between saving the mother or the baby inside the mother’s womb – what critical thinking should the doctor do? What should he prioritize: the hospital’s protocol, law, family’s wishes, etc.?

Writing an essay about the relationship between critical thinking, decision-making, and stress management can be engaging, as many readers will relate to your prompt. How is critical thinking affected by stress? Should we make decisions when we’re stressed? 

Via this prompt, you can convince your readers that it’s vital to develop critical thinking skills continuously.

Due to today’s widespread digitalization, many people spend most of their time on social media. With this prompt, you can discuss the possible connection between diminished critical thinking skills and time spent on social networking sites. Then explain how this can be avoided. 

Since critical thinking can be learned through consistent practice, why do you think some individuals, though super smart, did not attain the level of a critical thinker? You can write about the possible barriers to achieving critical thinking skills and explain why they became hindrances.

Here’s a tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. For example, write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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• What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

What Is Critical Thinking? | Definition & Examples

Published on 25 September 2022 by Eoghan Ryan .

Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyse information and form a judgement.

To think critically, you must be aware of your own biases and assumptions when encountering information, and apply consistent standards when evaluating sources .

Critical thinking skills help you to:

• Identify credible sources
• Evaluate and respond to arguments
• Assess alternative viewpoints
• Test hypotheses against relevant criteria

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Table of contents

Why is critical thinking important, critical thinking examples, how to think critically, frequently asked questions.

Critical thinking is important for making judgements about sources of information and forming your own arguments. It emphasises a rational, objective, and self-aware approach that can help you to identify credible sources and strengthen your conclusions.

Critical thinking is important in all disciplines and throughout all stages of the research process . The types of evidence used in the sciences and in the humanities may differ, but critical thinking skills are relevant to both.

In an academic context, critical thinking can help you to determine whether a source:

• Is free from research bias
• Provides evidence to support its findings
• Considers alternative viewpoints

Outside of academia, critical thinking goes hand in hand with information literacy to help you form opinions rationally and engage independently and critically with popular media.

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Critical thinking can help you to identify reliable sources of information that you can cite in your research paper . It can also guide your own research methods and inform your own arguments.

Outside of academia, critical thinking can help you to be aware of both your own and others’ biases and assumptions.

Academic examples

However, when you compare the findings of the study with other current research, you determine that the results seem improbable. You analyse the paper again, consulting the sources it cites.

You notice that the research was funded by the pharmaceutical company that created the treatment. Because of this, you view its results skeptically and determine that more independent research is necessary to confirm or refute them. Example: Poor critical thinking in an academic context You’re researching a paper on the impact wireless technology has had on developing countries that previously did not have large-scale communications infrastructure. You read an article that seems to confirm your hypothesis: the impact is mainly positive. Rather than evaluating the research methodology, you accept the findings uncritically.

Nonacademic examples

However, you decide to compare this review article with consumer reviews on a different site. You find that these reviews are not as positive. Some customers have had problems installing the alarm, and some have noted that it activates for no apparent reason.

You revisit the original review article. You notice that the words ‘sponsored content’ appear in small print under the article title. Based on this, you conclude that the review is advertising and is therefore not an unbiased source. Example: Poor critical thinking in a nonacademic context You support a candidate in an upcoming election. You visit an online news site affiliated with their political party and read an article that criticizes their opponent. The article claims that the opponent is inexperienced in politics. You accept this without evidence, because it fits your preconceptions about the opponent.

There is no single way to think critically. How you engage with information will depend on the type of source you’re using and the information you need.

However, you can engage with sources in a systematic and critical way by asking certain questions when you encounter information. Like the CRAAP test , these questions focus on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

When encountering information, ask:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert in their field?
• What do they say? Is their argument clear? Can you summarise it?
• When did they say this? Is the source current?
• Where is the information published? Is it an academic article? Is it a blog? A newspaper article?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence? Does it rely on opinion, speculation, or appeals to emotion ? Do they address alternative arguments?

Critical thinking also involves being aware of your own biases, not only those of others. When you make an argument or draw your own conclusions, you can ask similar questions about your own writing:

• Am I only considering evidence that supports my preconceptions?
• Is my argument expressed clearly and backed up with credible sources?
• Would I be convinced by this argument coming from someone else?

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test  and follow these guidelines:

• The information should be up to date and current.
• The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
• The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
• For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

Information literacy refers to a broad range of skills, including the ability to find, evaluate, and use sources of information effectively.

Being information literate means that you:

• Know how to find credible sources
• Use relevant sources to inform your research
• Understand what constitutes plagiarism
• Know how to cite your sources correctly

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What Is Critical Thinking? Definition Essay

Critical thinking.

Critical thinking involves making a decision based on the identification and thorough evaluation of the available evidence (Ennis, 1996). A critical thinker makes his decisions based on broad and in-depth analysis of the evidence and thereafter communicates the beliefs accurately and clearly. Robert H. Ennis in his book “The Cornell Critical Thinking Tests” defines critical thinking as the ability to think reasonably and reflectively (Ennis, 1996). A critical thinker is open-minded, considers and explores as many possibilities as possible.

Critical thinking is sometimes contradictory and needs a lot of integrity. Critical thinkers do not take things at face value because the most accepted and common ideals are not usually right. Critical thinking allows someone to question his own ideas as they might be wrong (Ennis, 1996). Critical thinkers realize that the concept of right or wrong is transitory and what might have been right yesterday might be proved wrong the next time. Critical thinking argues that every idea might be right as long as it has strong evidence that supports it. Generally, most intellectuals argue that extremists cannot be critical thinkers because critical thinking does not insist on an idea being right.

Critical thinking has been of help to many disciplines including education and managerial communication (Makau, 1990). There are several processes that are involved in developing critical thinking skills. The first stage involves taking the information that you have read, heard, or seen. From the information, a person tries to understand it by taking the key arguments, points, assumptions, and the presented evidence. Based on the evidence and arguments, a critical thinker analyzes it by examining how the key components related to each other or fit (Ennis, 1996). After comparison, the ideas are synthesized through different sources of information brought together in building an idea or argument.

The different steps that could be used are categorized in the following chronological sequence and they form the main basis to be used in the critical thinking process:

• Process – Take in the information
• Understand – Comprehend the key points presented.
• Compare – a basic comparison of similarities between what is there and what you know.
• Synthesize – Make reasonable links linking the diverse basis that help you support your ideas (Cogan, 1998).
• The evaluation stage
• Apply – Its application and relevancy in the whole matter.
• Justify – Use critical thinking to build- up well-informed points of view, draw conclusions and identify implications. (Cogan, 1998)

Critical thinking is the most important form of thinking when it comes to decision-making and problem-solving. In managerial communication, critical thinking is vital in the sense that the managers have to be effective decision-makers (Cogan, 1998). Their decisions are should be imaginative and well reasoned. Applying the techniques of critical thinking allows them to solve complex problems (Ennis, 1996).

Critical thinking is also the logical method applied by normal people to the normal world. This is deemed to be a certainty since the act of critical thinking tries to duplicate the methods used for investigation which are:

• A question is identified,
• A theory formulated,
• Significant information sought and gathered,
• The plan logically tested and evaluated,
• Reliable conclusions are drawn from the outcome.

All of the skills of scientific research are matched by critical thinking, which is, therefore, nothing more than a methodical method used in everyday life rather than in specific scientific activities (Makau, 1990). A scientifically knowledgeable individual for example a mathematics lecturer has learned to think critically to reach that level of scientific alertness. Basic techniques of critical thinking could be used by any smart individual course who has attained a certain level of education which is a prerequisite to logical and critical thinking (Cogan, 1998). Critical thinking is also the method of applying articulate thinking to a subject. Cogan (1998) goes on to expound and explain that acquiring critical thinking skills helps an individual to develop experienced arguments and draw out the inferences that may be needed to use in his or her coursework and projects.

The idea’s worthiness is then evaluated based on how relevant it is to the thinker’s needs. The evidence is also evaluated based on its relation to other related ideas (Ennis, 1996). The final process in critical thinking involves the justification of the argument. The argument is developed; the conclusions are made and possible implications and inferences.

Ennis points out that during critical analysis, critical thinkers scrutinize tribulations, ask questions, create new answers, and find out new information that can be used for good or bad, question establishments and conventional values, and challenge-received doctrines (Ennis, 1996). Good scientists who conduct science must practice critical thinking. This is because it helps a person to be mindful and open-minded of alternatives. It helps a person to identify problems, make assumptions, reason well and identify conclusions. According to Ennis (1996), Critical thinking helps students in their doctorate studies because they help in their research projects and assignments.

When writing a research project critical thinking helps the student to identify an argument, evaluate credible sources, and be able to judge them (Makau, 1990). The students are able to judge the quality of the argument, evaluate the assumptions, accept the reasons and also analyze the evidence. Critical thinking helps doctorate students develop and defend reasonable positions well. Through critical thinking, students can create and plan for experiments well on top of formulating plausible hypotheses. It also helps in the definition of appropriate terms that match with the context and cautions students on the warranted conclusions (Makau, 1990).

Relevancy also plays a great role in that an individual who critically analyses a situation and properly gives back credible and reasonable assumptions and conclusions is therefore deemed to be a smart and appropriate critical thinker.

A good critical thinker in business management and doctorate studies should be able to gain evidence and use it impartially and skillfully. He should also organize ideas articulately and coherently. He should be able to distinguish between invalid and logically valid inferences and suspend any judgment that does not have sufficient evidence. A good critical thinker should differentiate between rationalizing and reasoning. Critical thinking allows someone to anticipate the probable consequences of an alternative argument. It helps individuals learn independently and most of all enables an individual to recognize the fallibility of their opinions, recognize their biases, and the danger involved in using personal preferences in weighing evidence (Makau, 1990).

Ennis, R. H. (1996). Critical thinking . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Makau, J.M. (1990). Reasoning and communication: thinking critically about arguments . Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co.

Cogan, Robert (1998). Critical Thinking: Step by Step University Press of America, Washington DC.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). What Is Critical Thinking? https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-paper/

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "What Is Critical Thinking?" October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/critical-thinking-paper/.

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Why is a Critical Thinking Essay Outline Important?

Critical thinking essays help you sharpen your analytical skills and make you understand things very deeply. When you write critical thinking essays, you understand different evaluating options and become much better at making decisions. Your decisions are much more informed when you analyze situations critically, more you can find here . 

Creating a critical thinking essay outline is an essential part of the writing process. It helps you organize your thoughts and arguments in a logical and coherent way, making it easier for your readers to follow your reasoning. An outline also allows you to identify any gaps in your argument or areas where you need to do more research. This means that when you start writing, you already have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you want to say it, which makes the writing process much smoother and more efficient.

Furthermore, having a critical thinking essay outline can help you stay focused on the main topic and prevent you from deviating from the subject. It can be easy to get sidetracked when writing, especially when you have a lot of information to include. However, with a solid outline, you can stay on track and ensure that you’re writing only what is relevant to your essay. It is like a complete guide on critical thinking essay .

A critical thinking essay outline is important because it helps you:

• Organize your thoughts and arguments
• Identify gaps in your argument or areas where you need to do more research
• Stay focused on the main topic
• Ensure that you’re writing only what is relevant to your essay
• Make the writing process smoother and more efficient.

Pre-Writing Tips for Creating a Successful Critical Thinking Essay Outline

You start with the introduction, where you first discuss the topic in great detail. This is where you introduce the topic to the reader, so you must ensure that this is done well. At this point, the reader decides whether or not they want to continue reading, so you have to ensure this is exceptionally done.

After this, you have to start with the essay’s main body, where you talk about your main argument. This is where you first state your thesis and then detail your opinion.

Not only do you have to talk about what you are saying in great detail, but you also have to give evidence about what you are saying. This is one of the most important things to ensure that things are done well. Also, you have to have critical thinking skills .

Toward the end, you conclude your essay. When doing this, you summarize the main argument and then work towards giving your final judgment so that the reader understands what you are trying to say well. 

When outlining your critical thinking essay, it is important to consider the organization of your thoughts. You should make sure that the information you present is clear and easy to follow. A well-organized outline helps you identify the most important points and ensures that you present them in a logical and effective manner.

To achieve this, it is recommended that you create a rough draft of your critical thinking essay outline. You can do this by jotting down your ideas on paper or typing them on a computer. This rough draft is important because it helps you see your ideas in writing and gives you an opportunity to refine them.

Another important tip for creating a successful critical thinking essay outline is to use critical thinking skills. This means that you should question and analyze the information that you find. You should also consider alternative points of view and be open to changing your own opinion based on the evidence that you uncover.

Key Elements to Include in Your Critical Thinking Essay

Here are a few helpful tips to help you write the best critical thinking essay. The idea is to ensure you get it right in the first instance. Also, in this video, about writing a critical analysis essay , you may find some interesting tips for your critical thinking essay outline, also an article in case you need more details .

1. Understand the Topic

The first and foremost thing you have to do is to understand the topic. Read it well, and then try to explain what you think it entails. Once you know, you can begin working on it. You must research and familiarize yourself well with the topic before writing it. This is one of the most important things there is to make sure that you get it right. If you struggle with understanding it, the first thing is to ask your instructor to guide you. You can only begin brainstorming once you know what you will work on. 

2. Read Your Sources 

Next, you must analyze your sources to see where you are getting your information. The information has to be authentic so that you work towards it in the best possible way. Use only sources that are very trustworthy to help you get the work done just right. You should also double-check to see if the information is right. 

3. Make an Outline 

Before you start writing, outline. This is one of the most important things when writing a critical thinking essay. Try to write down whatever thoughts you have. Next, you can analyze these thoughts well and then outline them. It has to start with the introduction and then move on to the rest of the areas. In this outline, it is important to draft everything very well, so you know what you are working on. Being organized helps you understand your thoughts well and enables you to ensure your ideas flow coherently. This is one of the most important things there is to help you make sure to write well. Even if you have notes that you think are important, you can write them well here. This will help you understand your thoughts in the best way possible. 

5. Start Writing Your Essay 

Once you have formulated an outline and have things sorted out, you can begin writing your essay as best as possible. When on it, you must follow the exact format that you have. When doing so, also make sure to write your arguments fully coherently. Finally, try to be very organized when writing the essay; you can find some tips here . This is crucial to help you do a tough job. 

6. Edit and Proofread 

Once done writing, you can edit and proofread it to check it well. When writing, you don’t realize that you are making mistakes. This is why you must proofread and check for any errors. Also, proofread to understand what you are doing. Check grammar and spelling as well. This will help you submit an essay that is parred at solid levels, in case you need critical thinking essay writing help – Writing Metier is at your service.

When writing a critical thinking essay, try to use your creativity best. Make sure you develop unique ideas, aiming to impress the reader and ensure they are fully engaged in what you are doing. Once done with this, fully well analyze your argument as well. 

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Remember that you need to impress your readers. That is why developing new information and something great to give the readers is important.

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Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

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