Critical Thinking and Thesis Development

1. Critical Thinking and Thesis Development Nikolas Nadeau Writing Instructor Walden University Writing Center

2. Housekeeping • Muting • Questions • Tech trouble? http://support.citrixonline.com/en_US/GoToTraining • Recording: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/415.htm

3. An Overview

4. Poll In general, how often do your instructors mention “critical thinking” in their coursework or comments?

5. Critical thinking

6. Critical thinking Seven key characteristics (University of Canberra, 2012)

7. Critical thinking

8. Red Flags for Lack of Critical Thinking

9. How do you demonstrate critical thinking?

10. Paraphrasing

11. Thesis Statement • A sentence that states your study’s main argument. • Important points: • An argument must be argumentative. • One sentence only. • The rest of your paper should directly support it.

12. Poll: Which thesis is argumentative? • In his article, Jefferson (2003) insisted that The Real World was responsible for corrupting the mind of America’s youth. • The Real World reinforces gender inequality in America, suggesting that women are not just avid consumers, but consumables as well. • The purpose of this paper is to consider the positive and negative ways that women are portrayed in The Real World.

13. Which thesis is capable of advancement? • The Real World should be censored. • There are many reasons to censor the content that appears on The Real World. • The FCC has the right to censor The Real World when its images depict women in an overtly sexist manner.

14. How could one argue such a thesis? I. Examples of sexual objectification in The Real World. II. Consequences of sexual objectification in The Real World. III. Argument that censorship is warranted in situations with such dire consequences (may included counterarguments) IV. Suggestion that these unchecked images and consequences define the society that refuses to condemn them. Conclusion: If a society is defined by its actions (or inactions), then the FCC should reserve the right to limit sexist images in The Real World.

15. Thesis Statement Tips Thesis Mad Libs • In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____. • While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______. • Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______. * These models are for drafting purposes only and shouldn’t appear in your final work.

16. Thesis Statement Tips • Avoid words like: • Instead, try:

17. Analysis

18. Poll True or False? Analysis is necessary for all course writing at Walden, even discussion posts.

19. Analysis: MEAL Plan • Main idea: Many examples of sexual objectification • Evidence: List of examples (e.g., scenes, images, and quotes from the show) • Analysis:Discussion of how these examples demonstrate objectification; interpretation of these examples for your reader • Lead out: Hint at the significance of those examples

20. Synthesis • Combining independent elements to form a cohesive whole • Involves • Critical analysis of sources • Comparing and contrasting what the authors have to say • Evaluating and interpreting that information • Like a dinner party

21. Synthesis: Dinner party

22. Synthesis Not synthesis: X argued . Y said . Z suggested .

23. Synthesis Synthesis: X argued . Y supported X’s argument by stating . Z, however, offered an opposing view, noting that, while may be true, does not necessarily follow. Rather, . Unfortunately, Z’s argument fails to note .

24. Synthesis Not synthesis: According to Peterson (2008), 83% of teenagers claimed that reality television had no impact on their perception of sexuality or gender. Carol (2010) noted that teenagers who watched an hour or more of reality television per day reported a higher dissatisfaction in their relationships with the opposite gender than did teenagers who watch little or no reality television.

25. Synthesis Synthesis (within a MEAL plan paragraph): Research on television’s effect on adolescents is far from consensus. While Peterson (2008) noted that the vast majority of teenagers do not believe that reality television affects their perception of sexuality or gender, Carol (2010) found contrasting evidence that frequently watching reality television can negatively affect relationships with the opposite gender. However, both authors neglect the possibility that teenagers are simply not aware of the negative influences of reality television. Future research, therefore, should closely examine this level of awareness and whether it can predetermine particular adolescent behavior.

26. Poll Which is most correct? • The MEAL plan is important but not as important as synthesis. • Synthesis is achievable only by using the MEAL plan. • The MEAL plan is usually best practiced in revision. • Synthesis can take many forms, but using the MEAL plan can help facilitate it.

27. Recap

28. References University of Canberra. (2012). Critical thinking. Retrieved from http://www.canberra.edu.au/ studyskills/learning/critical

29. Resources Search terms at our homepage: • Critical reading • Thesis statements • Paragraphs (MEAL plan) • Paraphrasing • Webinars

30. Questions? Write in the question box, or email us at writingsupport@waldenu.edu