This hands-on guide to advanced critical analysis and argumentation will help readers to communicate in way that is orderly, rigorously supported, persuasive and clear. It demonstrates how criticality can be paired with creativity to produce an insightful and engaging piece of research, and explores how narrative styles and rhetorical devices can be used to boost the persuasiveness of an argument. Chapters blend theory with practice and contain a wealth of activities designed to help students put new skills into practice or revitalise those they already have. This is an essential resource for postgraduates and advanced undergraduates looking to hone their skills in critical analysis and communicate their ideas with precision and clarity.

This practical book will equip students with the critical thinking, reading and writing skills required to succeed both on their course and in their professional placements. It takes readers through the core stages of working on an assignment, from finding and evaluating sources through to critically reading material and demonstrating critical analysis in their writing. With chapters featuring content-specific examples and engaging exercises, this book is an essential resource for undergraduate students of Nursing, Health, Social Care and related disciplines.

The ability to demonstrate critical thinking is essential for students who seek to achieve good grades at university but it typically creates a lot of confusion and anxiety. Critical Thinking Skills provides an easy to follow, step by step guide to developing analytical reasoning skills and applying them to tasks such as reading, note-making and writing. A complex subject is broken down into easy to understand blocks, with clear explanations, good examples, and plenty of activities to develop understanding at each stage. Students can use this book to: · Critically assess other people's arguments · Recognise flawed reasoning · Evaluate the material used to support arguments · Apply critical thinking when reading, writing and making notes · Write excellent essays and reports The 4th edition features a new section on argument mapping techniques, which help readers to visualize the structures of an argument. It also contains new and updated examples that link to current affairs, showing the importance of critical thinking as a lifelong skill. Written by internationally renowned author Stella Cottrell, this is an essential resource for students looking to refine their thinking, reading and writing skills.

Help your students develop a critical mindset with this practical guide. Becoming a Critical Thinker begins by unpicking where knowledge comes from before showing students how to recognise biases and approach evidence objectively. Subsequent chapters equip students with the tools to evaluate different sources of information, critique the literature and write persuasive, critical arguments of their own. A final chapter explores the value of critical thinking in the workplace. Throughout, real-world examples illustrate the value of critical thinking in both academia and everyday life, and activities allow students to put new skills into practice. Becoming a Critical Thinker is an essential introduction to critical thinking for undergraduates of all subject areas.

Catering to the specific needs of science students, this award-winning guide equips students of all scientific disciplines with the skills they need to communicate effectively in written assignments. The book guides students through each of the key stages involved in producing a piece of scientific writing. It begins by developing students' understanding of the different types of scientific writing, including lab reports, essays and abstracts. Students are then taken through the writing process, from the initial stages of interpreting the question and conducting research through to writing a draft and responding to feedback. The second edition includes new material on criticality in scientific communication and the difference between descriptive and analytic writing. There is also a new section on building arguments using several sources, and new and extended examples of writing that will help students digest the material. This is an essential resource for all science students who are required to produce lab reports, extended essays, dissertations and other written assignments as part of their course. It is also ideal for international students who are new to academic study in the UK.

Combining the theory and practice of academic writing, this book helps you to master the basics of writing at university. It equips you with the skills needed to examine cognitive processes such as reflection and critical thinking and includes essential information on referencing your work correctly and avoiding plagiarism. A comprehensive writing toolkit for students of nursing, midwifery, health and social care, it provides a step-by-step approach to a whole range of genres specific to these disciplines, going beyond the traditional academic essay to include care critiques, action plans, portfolios and systemic reviews as well as complex argumentative writing and the undergraduate dissertation proposal. It also offers help with texts for professional development such as portfolios and conference abstracts. Supporting you throughout your degree, this new edition includes: - A new section on making effective notes; - An updated section on reflection including the latest reflective models; - A wider range of examples covering areas such as mental health, children and learning disabilities in nursing and midwifery care; and - A self-assessment quiz and achievement chart to help you track your learning as you work through the book. Written in a lively, engaging and accessible style, this book is an invaluable companion for students at all levels, and will give you the confidence to succeed on your course.

This book will equip social work students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to produce first-rate written assignments. Part one focuses on the foundational skills needed to produce excellent written work. Students are taken through the core stages of working on an assignment, from planning the task and reading and note-making through to finding and evaluating sources, drafting a text, and editing and proofreading. Part two hones in on the key types of assignment students will encounter on their degree. It contains dedicated chapters on writing an essay, a reflective text, a case study analysis, a literature review, a placement report, and case notes on placement. Each chapter contains examples and activities which will help students to test their knowledge and understanding. This is an essential companion for all social work students.

Are you a non-native English speaker studying or preparing to study at an English-language university? If so, this book is for you. This engaging guide equips students with the tools and confidence to respond effectively and appropriately to written assignments at university. It will help you to develop essential writing skills, such as structuring paragraphs and building an argument, and provides practical guidance on adhering to the conventions of academic writing. It guides the reader systematically through a series of text analyses which bring out key linguistic and rhetorical features, making complex textual issues manageable and understandable for learners of all abilities. Reorganised to allow for easier navigability and revised for greater accessibility, the new edition now includes: - An expanded introduction to show students how to use the book successfully - A writing checklist to review the key principles of skills covered in the book - A broader range of examples - More practical activities - More on plagiarism This is an ideal self-study aid for non-native English speakers, both on pre-sessional language courses and on degree programmes, who need to get to grips with the conventions of academic writing.

Packed with clear guidance on the nuts and bolts of grammar and plenty of examples, this text will help students master the fundamentals of English grammar and tackle written assignments with confidence. 60+ bite-sized units help students overcome common areas of difficulty, such as forming different tenses, using connectives to link ideas and build an argument, punctuating sentences and choosing the right words. Each unit is presented on a double-page spread, making it easy for students to flick through the book and quickly find the unit they need. Short, focused exercises at the end of each unit - with answers provided at the back of the book - make this text ideal for both self-study and classroom use. This 3rd edition contains four new units on hedging, being critical and collocation. Improve Your Grammar is an essential resource for students of all disciplines and levels wanting to excel at writing, and can be used as a self-study workbook or on tutor-led grammar modules.

Writing essays, reports, presentations, papers or dissertations makes up a substantial element of most undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree courses. Anything that makes the process easier and more effective can make a big difference to your success as a student. Taking the reader through the writing process, from understanding the task, through researching, reading and planning, to drafting and composing, reviewing and finalising their copy, the book contains many self-study exercises that will help to develop confidence, technique and clarity of purpose as a writer, whether a first year social science student or a final year scientist or engineer. The book adopts an empowering approach – encouraging the student to find out what they need to know in order to be a successful writer in their discipline. Much more than a set of hints and tips, this book provides an all-encompassing approach to becoming a confident academic writer. New for this edition: - a new section on managing your physical and mental state -advice on a wider range of assignment types, including recorded presentations, such as vlogs, and blogs -introduction to a wider range of strategies that students can employ while composing their work, including material to help students maintain their focus and concentration