ACADEMIC ENGLISH 2

Critical Thinking
[Pages 208-235] Skills
 PART 2: Critical Thinking Skill-
HUMANITIES
Synthesis of Information
[Pages 208-235]
OUTCOMES
1. Synthesize Information from Several Sources
2. Understand Multiple Perspectives
3. Evaluate the Credibility of Sources
 Supporting Skill 1
2. UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES

Read the following examples [p.211]

 Supporting Skill 1
2. UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES

Read the following examples [p.211]

 Supporting Skill 1
2. UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES

Read the following examples [p.211]

 Supporting Skill 1
2. UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES
[p.212]

Read the following paragraph, notice how the language used to express the
perspectives
 Critical Thinking Skill
1. SYNTHESIZING
INFORMATION FROM
How to synthesize? [p.209] SEVERAL SOURCES

Write better research papers due

Synthesize information from
to ability of analyze information
several sources effectively
gathered
 Critical Thinking Skill
1. SYNTHESIZING
INFORMATION FROM
How to synthesize? [p.209] SEVERAL SOURCES

Pattern 1: Each idea is cited from a different source

Benefit 1 of assignment: (Langdon,2016)

Benefit 2 of assignment: Peters et al. (2018)
 Critical Thinking Skill
1. SYNTHESIZING
INFORMATION FROM
How to synthesize? [p.209] SEVERAL SOURCES

Pattern 2: List all the sources that share the same idea
 Supporting Skill 1
2. UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE
PERSPECTIVES

Recognizing how to help you

to build a
various sources understand
comprehensive, wide-
different – agree with, information from
rage command of the
disagree with, add to, various sources about
concept
update- a given topic
 Critical Thinking Skill
1. SYNTHESIZING
INFORMATION FROM
How to synthesize? [p.209] SEVERAL SOURCES

Pattern 3: CONVERGENT SYNTHESIS (SIMILARITIES) of sources

• Similarly/Likewise, Nicoladis (2006) found that X ….

• In the same vein, Smith (1994) notes ….
• This view is supported by Jones (2000) who writes that ….
• Smith argues that her data support O’Brien’s (1988) view that ….
• Al-Masry’s (1986) work on X is complemented by Smith’s (2009) study of ….
 Critical Thinking Skill
1. SYNTHESIZING
INFORMATION FROM
How to synthesize? [p.209] SEVERAL SOURCES

Pattern 4: DIVERGENT SYNTHESIS (CONTRAST ) between sources

• Unlike Smith, Jones (2013) argues that ….

• In contrast to Smith, Jones (2013) argues that ….
• Conversely, Wang (2010) reported no significant difference in mortality between
X and Y
• Some researchers attempt to…… Others, however, ……..
• Zhao (2002) notes that …. However, Jennings’ (2010) study of Y found no…
• While Smith (2008) focusses on X, Jones (2009) is more concerned with ….
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING

 a line of bushes or small trees planted very close

together, especially along the edge of a garden,
What is hedging?  afield,
wayorofroad
protecting, controlling, or limiting
something
 a word or phrase that makes what you say less
strong
 Cautious = careful
 Vague = not clear
 Noncommittal = not expressing ideas or
opinion
 Modal verbs
Hedging language  Adjectives of
probability
 Phrases for
generalization
Read hedging language and examples for more understandings
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING
Read hedging language and examples for more understandings
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING
Read hedging language and examples for more understandings
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING
 Language Skill
5. APPRECIATE
HEDGING
 Supporting Skill 2
3. EVALUATING THE CREDIBILITY &
MOTIVES OF SOURCESPage 216

In Academic Texts, readers can => Readers have to evaluate or judge

find information from different sources in the
readings to get ideas.

Different
Different points of
arguments views

Different
Different
issues, facts,
perspectives
examples
Diff tions
quot
e re n
a
t

Depending on the sources, some

the credibility
information is more believable
or persuasive than others of sources
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
SOURCE SELECTION QUIZ
Should we cite ideas from
these website?

NO. THESE ARE

POPULAR
SOURCES
=> UNRELIABLE
Quality Rankings of the
sources
Scan the following QR code
to take part in activities
 Top reliable online
newspapers

• The guardian
• The independent
• The Atlantic
• The Economist
• Business Insider
• Forbes
• Bloomberg
• Harvard Business Review
• Scientific American
TASK 5: Explore through discussion (p.84)
Top Academic Publishers
TASK 5: Explore through discussion (p.84)
 Resources to search for
journal article

• Z library (10 more downloads per day for

free account)
• Pdfdrive.com
• Google scholar (Click onto the hyperlink
on the right side)
• Open-access articles from top journal
publishers
• - Archive.is (online article)
 Supporting Skill 2
3. EVALUATING THE CREDIBILITY &
MOTIVES OF SOURCES
Read examples of information quoted Page 216

A. Joseph Novak, Professor of mathematics at Harvard University

argued that Homer could not have described golden treasure troves so well unless he had been
an occasional guest of Greece’s wealthies famlies.

B. Dionis Katzanopoulos xxx xxx

Homer’s detailed eye for the intricacies of golden place of work reflects the sensibilities of a
visual artist, not just a writer.

C. According to Lara Professor of Greek and Roman at Baldwin State

Worth history University
Most of the details regarding golden objects were added by later transcribers of Homer’s
works, not originated by the bard himself.

C. Most credible source because : name, job, subject, work place

A. The second because the author cites name, job, workplace,
B. The least credible source because there only name..
 Supporting Skill 2
3. EVALUATING THE CREDIBILITY &
MOTIVES OF SOURCES
Page 216

Factors to consider when evaluating the credibility of sources: Expertise / specialist

• Reputation: name [ famous or not]

Person • Job: present job, area to study or work [ expertise]

• The quality of the organization that employs the expert

Organizations • Expert’s relationship with the matter under discussion
• An expert’s firsthand observation of incident or situation

• Expert’s past or present research

Achievements • Books, articles, movies and other material produced by the
source
 C.R.A.A.P.O CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING
REFERENCE MATERIALS

• https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/choosing-
best-sources-and-evidence
 PART 2: Critical Thinking Skill-
HUMANITIES
Synthesis[Pages
of 208-235]
Information