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April, 2022 | SAGE Publications Ltd

Critical Thinking

Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study

Second Edition
Tom Chatfield - Author, tech philosopher and broadcaster
384 pages | April, 2022 | SAGE Publications Ltd
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ISBN: 9781529786927
Paperback
ISBN: 9781529718522
$28.00
Hardcover
ISBN: 9781529718539
$91.00
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ISBN: 9781529786927
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What is critical thinking? How do you apply it in your assessments? How do you build a good argument or find evidence? 

Critical thinking is a set of techniques. You just need to learn them.

This is your personal toolkit for demystifying critical thinking. Clear and focused, it shows you how to sharpen your ability to think critically by developing and honing your skills. You’ll learn how to:

  • Build a solid argument and express your ideas clearly
  • Evaluate evidence and identify errors
  • Understand and account for biased or flawed thinking
  • Become a savvy user of technology
  • Sift through the deluge of digital information
  • Develop confident critical writing.

Designed to work with a power pack of digital resources and exercises, you'll find practical and effective tools to think and write critically in an information-saturated age.

Whether you're starting your first degree or arriving as an international or mature student, this book equips you with the skills, insights and confidence to succeed.

This second edition has been redesigned and fine-tuned with a focus on accessibility: with a new and improved layout to improve the eBook experience, and updated language, examples and further reading recommendations throughout.

Part I: The Art and Science of Being Reasonable
Chapter 1: Understanding the Reasons Behind Things
Chapter 2: Spelling Out Arguments and Assumptions
Chapter 3: Reasoning With Logic and Certainty
Chapter 4: Reasoning With Observation and Uncertainty
Chapter 5: Developing Explanations and Theories
Chapter 6: Assessing Evidence and Planning Your Reading Strategy
Part II: Being Reasonable in an Unreasonable World
Chapter 7: Getting to Grips With Rhetoric
Chapter 8: Seeing Through Faulty Reasoning
Chapter 9: Understanding Cognitive Bias
Chapter 10: Overcoming Bias in Yourself and Others
Chapter 11: Thinking Critically About Technology
Chapter 12: Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Study, Work and Life

Find the Online Resources

 Access a range of free digital resources to support your teaching and student engagement:

  • Welcome video from Tom ('What is Critical Thinking?')
  • YouTube videos introducing each chapter in a nutshell
  • Ten Commandments animated shorts to start discussions
  • Set of BuzzFeed quizzes to test what you (think) you know
  • Downloadable posters to display in the classroom or library
  • Downloadable PowerPoint slides to support teaching
  • Interactive and downloadable workbook to give you even more space to reflect and practice

Watch the recording of How to Think for Yourself with Tom Chatfield and Alex Baratta. This webinar, hosted by JS Group, offers top tips on how to spot misinformation and engage critically with the world.

Critical thinking videos Watch over 20 videos of author Tom Chatfield discussing Critical Thinking and key ideas from his book, including each of his 10 Commandments.

What is critical thinking? Critical thinking in a nutshell! In this brief introduction to critical thinking, Tom Chatfield explains what it is, why critical skills are important as a university student, and how they help with your studies.

KEY FEATURES:
  • Tom Chatfield’s writing style helps students master critical engagement, from thinking to reading to writing—to ultimately improve their essays and assignments
  • The book provides an integrated print and digital learning experience, directing readers in and out of the book in order to apply and reinforce critical thinking skills
  • Inspirational, interactive shareable quote pages of famous quotes regarding critical thinking, and space in the text offers students a chance to scribble and engage like a workbook
  • A fun and reflective digital toolkit of extras includes "10 Commandments" videos, animated tips, quizzes, and social media chat with the author to keep students engaged
  • Smart Study boxes share excellent tips to whip students’ work into shape
  • Quizzes give students a chance to diagnose their skill level and test what (they think) they know
  • Tom Chatfield is an experienced author and teacher/coach/dream supervisor, showing students how to learn, practice, and "get it" in a fresh, friendly, and practical way