CRITICAL THINKING:

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Critical thinking means considering arguments both 'for' and 'against' and this can be undertaken from three approaches.

1. Comparison; i.e. finding points of similarity but also showing that you are aware of the small differences for what are otherwise, very similar items.
2. Contrast; i.e. set out work so as to bring out the main differences between items.
3. Significance; i.e. discussing the importance of any differences (or similarities) in the context of your work.

The approach you use will obviously depend upon what you are comparing, but for each approach you need to ensure:

• that you consider more than one viewpoint – ideally the points for and against need to be balanced (equal in number),
• that you take note of, and evaluate the evidence presented,
• that you show where the presented viewpoint leads to, i.e. its logical conclusion

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