UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING

Analysis and Argumentation

Definition:

Constructing and evaluating arguments is at the heart of academic work. This involves identifying claims, assessing the evidence that supports them, and understanding the logical structure that connects the two.

Useful Resources on Analysis and Argumentation:

Excelsior Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Argument analysis. https://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/argument-analysis

Annotation: Guide covering how to analyze arguments for content and rhetorical strategies, including an introduction to identifying the choices writers make and understanding their effects on an audience.

Gruwell, C., & Ewing, R. (2023). Critical thinking in academic research (2nd ed.). Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. https://minnstate.pressbooks.pub/ctar2/part/analyzing-arguments

Annotation: Chapter section from a textbook on critical thinking in academic research, covering how to identify arguments, standard argument form, kinds of arguments, and the distinction between arguments and explanations.

HarvardX. (n.d.). Structure and function of argument: Introduction to critical thinking. edX. https://www.edx.org/learn/philosophy-ethics/harvard-university-structure-and-function-of-argument-introduction-to-critical-thinking

Annotation: Self-paced introductory course exploring the structures of everyday arguments and developing tools for effective communication. Available to audit for free.

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

3.1. Critical Thinking
3.1.1. Introductions to Critical Thinking
3.1.2. Developing Thinking Skills

3.2. Critical Reading and Analysis

3.4. Critical Reasoning

3.5. Synthesis

3.6. Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
3.6.1. Problem-Solving
3.6.2. Design Thinking

3.7. Research Methods
3.7.1. Research Design
3.7.2. Research Ethics

3.8. Data Literacy
3.8.1. Understanding Data
3.8.2. Computational Thinking
3.8.3. Statistical and Numerical Analysis

3.9. Curiosity and Creative Thinking
3.9.1. Creative Exercises
3.9.2. Understanding Curiosity

 

Author: Leeanne Irwin

Peer Reviewer(s): None