critical thinking Essay Examples

How To Write a Critical Thinking Essay Example

Critical thinking papers have the purpose of aiding university students in enhancing their analytical abilities while devising a well-substantiated argument. As opposed to reviews and narrative papers, when dealing with this type of academic assignment, students are required to introduce their personal viewpoints, consider the significance and worth of a specific text and assess significant matters. As a general rule, teachers tend to grade such papers by the writing proficiency as well as the capability of devising a logical and appropriate argument. In this article, we’ll present the five steps to writing a winning critical thinking essay. To learn more, read on!

1. Select a subject

A lot of university instructors ask students to devise critical replies to literary works, viewpoints or essays. In case you need to write a critical thinking essay on a text you’re already familiar with, you need to reread that text attentively and identify its primary ideas. Afterward, choose particular reasoning or concept to assess in your critical thinking essay. If you can freely decide on a subject of your preference, opt for a topic that you can reduce to a couple of essential reasonings. Single out one reasoning or belief that you can thoroughly assess in a short paper. For instance, you could discuss the idea that James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.

2. Devise a thesis statement

Your thesis statement represents the central argument of your paper. As such, your whole paper ought to rely on it. A powerful thesis statement provides particular information regarding the subject you’ve decided to approach and your main reasonings. Convey the primary motivations behind your arguments. In case you are required to reply to a text, devise a succinct assertion that includes the writer’s ideas. For instance, your thesis could look like this: “Immanuel Kant is of the opinion that morality relies on an unequivocal imperative; nevertheless, this imperative fails to offer advice on the entirety of moral predicaments.” This thesis assertion briefly sums up the argument and insinuates the ensuing approach of your critical thinking essay.

3. Devise a structure by concentrating on the arguments that substantiate your thesis assertion

In case you need to carry out research, make use of proof. If your essay is purely analytical, you’ll be required to come up with coherent arguments that back up your idea or assessment of the text to which you need to respond. If your task is to make a comparison between two different literary works, your outline ought to comprise a list of resemblances and distinctions. Steer clear of tangential ideas or affective tactics. Solely approach the most convincing proof and reasonings that substantiate your idea.

4. Write the body paragraphs of your essay

In case you are required to respond to a text, you need to sum up the primary reasonings in the first body paragraphs. If your task is to devise a personal argument, proceed by outlining your own reasonings in the first and second body paragraph. All of the ensuing body paragraphs ought to focus on different reasoning or proof that supports your idea. Expect criticism! List out the objections a different individual might raise in regards to your reasoning and discuss the reasons for which such objections are unfounded.

5. Write a conclusion that sums up your ideas

In your concluding paragraph, you ought to propose additional studies or underline any unsettled problems. For instance, you could write the following conclusion: “Immanuel Kant’s unequivocal imperative failed to predict the moral issues of our time; nevertheless, a subtle adjustment to his reasoning may render it applicable to modern times.” This conclusive statement proposes a feasible path for additional studies and academic work and reiterates the primary reasoning.