Critical Thinking
Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study
- Tom Chatfield - Author, tech philosopher and broadcaster
What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence?
Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.
This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how to:
- Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly
- Evaluate evidence and identify errors
- Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking
- Become a savvy user of technology
- Sift through the deluge of digital information
- Develop confident critical writing.
Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.
Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed.
This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.
Supplements
Access a range of free digital resources to support your teaching and student engagement:
- Welcome video from Tom ('What is Critical Thinking?')
- YouTube videos introducing each chapter in a nutshell
- Ten Commandments animated shorts to start discussions
- Set of BuzzFeed quizzes to test what you (think) you know
- Downloadable posters to display in the classroom or library
- Downloadable PowerPoint slides to support teaching
- Interactive and downloadable workbook to give you even more space to reflect and practice
Watch the recording of How to Think for Yourself with Tom Chatfield and Alex Baratta. This webinar, hosted by JS Group, offers top tips on how to spot misinformation and engage critically with the world.
Watch over 20 videos of author Tom Chatfield discussing Critical Thinking and key ideas from his book, including each of his 10 Commandments.
Critical thinking in a nutshell! In this brief introduction to critical thinking, Tom Chatfield explains what it is, why critical skills are important as a university student, and how they help with your studies.
Tom’s book continues to be a real hit with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This book immerses students into the world of critical thinking using practical applications and experiences. The book triggers a meaningful sensemaking process and demystifies critical reading, thinking and reading, allowing students to develop their skills.
Tom has a knack for providing relatable examples to break down the ideas around being a critical reader and writer. This second edition is no different and continues to carefully guide us all with developing our skills of criticality. A must read for anyone engaged with academic writing.
An important reading for every course at my institution, because of its vast and relevant topics about critical thinking. A reference for our library as well.
An excellent book about the development of critical competences. "Critical Thinking" is a must in the reading lists of graduate and post graduate students given the relevant topics covered and the tasks that can be used for self and group reflection purposes. The easy-to-follow nature of the text makes it appropriate for a wide academic and professional audience.
It is helpful in focusing on what critical thinking is, how it works and how helpful it is in education and life
This title has been really helpful to support social work degree students make the transistion from level 3 courses to level 4. It has helped them to develop their critical thinking and to understand what is required to be a critical thinker
I think this will be a big support to some of my students.
A very useful guide to thinking and writing critically. Great for my postgrads
i bought a copy; it is a very good bock
Very appropriate book for undergraduate students. It takes students through how they can structure their essays with relevant arguments and analysis independently.
Sage College Publishing
