A CRITICAL THINKING GLOSSARY (adapted from Approaches to Higher Order Critical/Creative Thinking, a workshop

for teachers conducted by Dr Alec Fisher July/August 2001)

These are words and phrases that would come in useful when crafting out your response to the AQ (as well as in your argumentative essays). Please note, however, that this list is not exhaustive! You should try to add on to the list.
Expressing a Claim Supporting a Claim / Reason Indicators my opinion/thesis/belief is / the facts are / because since the reasons are if then similarly example / I am certain that I observe that

/ for / the evidence is/implies / the indicators suggest / by analogy / experts / authorities have asserted that for as attested to by that is why / the causes are

Giving an Explanation Evaluating writers assumptions Evaluating writers claim: AGREE

this explains why /

He assumes that however this implies/presupposes that but I agree with writer A as his point/argument isbecause o true/fair/valid/ o credible/believable o acceptable o objectively made To further develop Chans argument, The writer is right in asserting this as is evident by / this can be observed in areas such as Attesting to the validity of XXs argument is I disagree with writer A as his point/argument isbecause o false/biased/implausible/invalid/oversimplified o misrepresents the position o subjective o vague/imprecise/ambiguous o is unacceptable In so saying, however, the writer has overlooked the fact that / completely negated the possibility that proves/justifies/supports/is consistent with conflicts with/contradicts/refutes is a fallacy/mistake is relevant/incidental/irrelevant provides weak/telling/strong support/criticism

Evaluating writers claim: DISAGREE

Evaluating the Support For a Claim

Conclusion Indicators

therefore / so/hence/thus/consequently which proves/establishes/demonstrates that it follows that / Hence, I conclude/infer that which justifies the view that

4. Coherence: consistency and flow in argumentation 1. Requirements: address all requirements & give a balanced treatment

You will usually be required to: a. Identify the relevant arguments from the text (have to refer to both passages) b. Evaluate these arguments and offer your opinion c. Explain and justify YOUR views with good reasons and real-world evidence. Tip: Always underline & label the different parts of the AQ

a. Use the order of the requirements (R1, R2, etc) to craft your answers (to address qn demands systematically) b. (advisable to) echo or use keywords used in the AQ to signal that youre addressing the requirements c. Group similar ideas or claims youre evaluating in the same paragraphs d. Use transitional devices and connectors / contrastive for good transition of ideas e. Ensure logical development and a clear conclusion f. Ensure that you do not contradict yourself!

Tackling the AQ

Explanation (of issues, views & egs) a. Explanation of writers arguments: paraphrase accurately b. Explain your EV: how or/and why you agree or disagree with the writers point ( c. Explain how your real-world egs support your (insightful) claims & observations d. Examples can be drawn from: i. Observations about your society ii. Observations about global trends

Evaluation: examine validity & applicability of writers ideas a. Logical (internal): How valid? What merits? Or are there loopholes in the argument? Bias or prejudice? Assumptions that can be challenged? Factors in the X Y (X leads to Y) relationship which are not considered? b. Applicability (external): How feasible? Are they based on isolated egs? Or are they representative? Or overly generic? How applicable are they to other cultural context or in your society? c. Assessing impact of arguments: Are they far-reaching and significant? Are consequences vital? d. Addresses the need for OWN VIEWS

HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR ANSWER?

Paragraph 1 (introduction) Part 1a Identify Writer(s) central thesis (to meet the requirement) State what the argument(s) in the text is/areParaphrased (Even if this is stated in the question, you still need to paraphrase it and add some details from the text) Examples: In Passage A/B, (writers name) raised the point that/ stated that/ asserted that(write the writers point you have chosen to discuss in your own words or you can quote parts of it with ______________ ) According to (writers name)/ Passage A/ Passage B, Singlish is important because Paragraph 1 (introduction) Part 1b Your view to the question (to meet the requirement) Express your stand / thesis about the question / argument(s) Here, you have to state: (i) whether you agree or disagree with the writer and (ii) how far you agree or disagree with the view in Part 1. Examples: In my opinion, My view on this is that I am inclined to think that Paragraph 2 (SV) Part 2a Writers argument you are evaluating (to meet the requirement) Explain and Evaluate Select the writers argument which you agree / disagree with to form your SV Here, you will either quote or paraphrase the writers argument you have selected. Examples: In discussing the problems of legalizing drugs, (writers name) asserts that (quote argument) In paragraph 4, (writers name) asserts that paraphrased argument (i) Explain what he means with evidence and (ii) evaluate whether you agree or disagree. You must support your opinion with (iii) valid explanations or/and reasons. Examples: One reason / justification / explanation for this is There is a strong validity to Chans argument as it is indeed applicable in other aspects such as In so saying, however, the writer has overlooked the fact that / completely negated the possibility that Paragraph 2 Part Evidence Further justify your opinion by giving supporting evidence from Singapore

Paragraph 2 (SV)

Part 2b

(SV)

2c

(explanation) Examples: For example This can be seen in Singapore when Note: You may cite current or past evidence as long as it meets the question requirements. If the question requires you to discuss the future, state the current situation and predict from this current situation, what will happen in the future. Examples: Considering the current situation, a future scenario that can be projected is In the light of the present situation, a likely consequence/ effect/ scenario/ situation is

Paragraph 3 (OV)

Part 3

Evaluation Select the writers argument which you agree / disagree with to form your OV. You have to create balance by considering (opposing view) an alternative viewpoint Examples: However, some people may agree/ disagree with the writer/ the view mentioned, in that they think Otherwise, a contrasting opinion is that An alternative opinion is Note: You would need to inject your response to the OV through rebuttals or conditional acceptance Follow up with the explanation, evaluation and concrete examples.

Paragraph 4 (conclusion)

Part 4

Consolidate (reasons why you adhere to your own beliefs)

Round up the discussion. Explain why despite the alternative or opposing view, you still stick by your original stand. Examples: However, I still hold that, (repeat original stand) because it holds greater truth/ we see more evidence of it today/ it is a more likely scenario considering the current situation Despite this, I still think that (repeat original stand) because I maintain my opinion that (repeat original stand) because

FAQs (Frequently asked questions)

1. Are the views of the two writers always divergent? No. The passages selected need not always present opposing viewpoints of writers. If you realise that the writers have similar views on some grounds,

point this out in your explanation or evaluation. Writers of both texts may agree on some issues but disagree on others.

THE MUST-NOT-DO
Spending too much time on the AQ and compromising the other questions Misreading the AQ and missing the Requirements Neglecting any one requirement of the AQ

THE MUST-DO
Spend 20 to 25 minutes on the AQ Annotate the question by labelling the requirements R1, R2, R3, etc Annotate the Main points (Ms) as you read. Highlight the arguments that are applicable to the AQ. Create a balanced discussion by: Considering more than one point of view Manage OVs raised: rebut or concede Ensuring that you cover all the requirements of the question sufficiently Apply general knowledge about Singapore an/or the world in the justification of your opinion. Deal with the AQ as you would an essayin paragraphs Discuss one argument thoroughly before going on to the next in an organized way.

Adopting an extreme position without considering alternative opinions Listing opposing viewpoints without rebutting them Stick strictly to the context of the passage(s) without making references to Singapore or the world Presenting the AQ answer in one large chunk Jumping from argument to argument without linking them or creating logical coherence.

2. Do I need to state which view I agree with more? If the AQ asks you to, you definitely need to. Some AQs do not ask you to make any choice but instead ask you what your view is. In this case, you could agree with one of the views or present a view that marries the merits of both arguments. 3. How many arguments of the writers must I evaluate? Some AQs explicitly state the number of arguments you need to discuss, making it easier for the student. However, usually discussing four arguments should suffice. As you need to give a balanced treatment of both texts, your four arguments should come from both texts. 4. How long should my answer be? There is no definite requirement for length. As you attempt to explain and evaluate, try to be as straightforward as possible. Your answer should be concise. You should not waste too much time on a particular argument as the time of about 25 minutes for the AQ should be used wisely to tackle three to four arguments. 5. What is meant by evaluation? When you evaluate, you are discussing the advantages or disadvantages of an argument. Are there examples to prove that the idea is feasible? On the other hand, what does the idea lack? What are its shortfalls? When you evaluate, you look at the big picture and examine how it may benefit or disadvantage certain group.

Do(s) & Dont(s)