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Critical writing at postgrad level
Cath Senker
Author, editor, RLF Consultant Fellow
To raise your level to postgraduate standard, work to develop your own voice as a writer.
1 The transition from UG to PG
! Becoming a researcher ! Scholarly sources – reading widely ! Mostly primary sources ! Deeper and more critical engagement with
subjects/ideas ! Develop your own perspective ! Well-structured assignments ! Accurate referencing
2 Finding your voice
! Become aware of current knowledge in your field
– read broadly – synthesise information: group related arguments
– consider where you stand
Adapted from Birkbeck University London
2 Finding your voice ! Contribute personally to knowledge
in your field – creative thinking – present info in a new way, e.g.
Apply previous research to a new problem Prove a thesis with your evidence Compare and contrast materials in new way Apply a grand theory Be passionate!
Adapted from Birkbeck University London
Critical reading strategy 1 Understanding
! What are the key points? ! What’s the relationship between them? ! Relevance to your topic? ! Be aware of the epistemologies (ways
of knowing) used, e.g. work experience, quantitative research, culture specific
2 Questioning ! How successfully are the points made? ! Does the author use reasoning and debate
to argue their case? ! Is the argument backed up with solid
evidence from appropriate sources? ! Is the writing balanced or biased towards a
particular viewpoint? ! What are the author’s underlying values?
3 Evaluating ! Compare with other perspectives on the topic. ! Identify strengths and weaknesses:
How robust are the arguments for / against? ! Do they fit with professional literature?
Show you’re informed – draw on the literature to demonstrate any weaknesses.
! Arguments useful? Can you apply them to your topic?
! Any amendments that would make them more useful?
Good analytical writing ! You’re in charge – make
your point in the topic sentence
! Bring in evidence. ! Explain and evaluate the
evidence. ! Conclude your point
Further help ! Go to Skills Hub – information on research and writing ! Book a one-to-one tutorial with a Royal Literary Fund
Writing Fellow: www.sussex.ac.uk/library/guides/rlf ! Study skills for taught postgrads:
www.sussex.ac.uk/skillshub/?id=301 ! Postgraduate study skills guide from the Open
University http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/skillsforstudy/postgraduate-study-skills.php
! Video on critical thinking and scholarly writing www.academia.edu/4480218/Critical_Thinking_and_Scholarly_Writing