Critical Writing: A Guide to Writing a Paper Using the Concepts and Processes of Critical Thinking

by Gerald Nosich

Overview

The main goal of Critical Writing is to provide students with a set of robust, integrated critical concepts and processes that will allow to them think through and write about a topic in a way that is built on—and permeated by—substantive critical thinking.

This step-by-step guide shows:

• how to construct a thesis statement and the other main points that constitute the structure of the paper;
• how to write the paragraphs that make up the body of the paper;
• how to engage in productive research in a planned, self-directed way;
• how to make a point clear—not just grammatically or stylistically but also how to clearly convey ideas to an audience;
• how to think your way through the numerous unanticipated issues (including aspects of grammatical correctness, transitions, and many others) that arise while writing papers.

Each step provides close and careful processes for carrying out each of these tasks, through the use of critical thinking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538140918
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/12/2021
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.03(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.72(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gerald Nosich is a noted authority on critical thinking across disciplines and has given more than 250 workshops on all aspects of teaching critical thinking. He is professor emeritus at both SUNY Buffalo State in New York and at the University of New Orleans. Nosich is the author of numerous books, articles, and audio and videotapes on critical thinking. He is a senior fellow of the Center and the Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Table of Contents

Brief Overview

To the Instructor

A Framework for Critical Writing

Main Features of the Book

To the Student: Before You Begin

Test It Out

A Few Things to Keep in Mind as You Work Through This Book

Acknowledgments

CHAPTER 1 Thinking about Writing

Writing and Critical Writing

The Components of a Paper

Getting Familiar with the Components of a Paper: Extended Examples

Reflecting on the Process of Critical Writing

Adapting Critical Writing to Your Own Individuality

The Tasks That Lie Ahead

Writing for Clarity: SEE-I

A Framework for Critical Writing

Chapter 1: Practice and Self-Assessment Exercises

CHAPTER 2 Beginning the Paper: The Elements of Reasoning

Introducing the Elements of Reasoning

The Elements of Reasoning

Getting a “Feel” for the Elements: Using the Elements to Understand a Topic

Thinking Your Way through a Topic: Analyzing around-the-Circle

Examples in Practice

The Usefulness of the Elements of Reasoning

So What Is Critical Thinking?

Chapter 2: Practice and Self-Assessment Exercises

Self-Assessment: Test It Out #1

CHAPTER 3 Constructing the Paper: Planning, Researching, Writing

Constructing the Paper Out of the Analysis: Thesis, Main Points, Structure, Outline

Enhanced SEE-I: Developing Your Paper

Researching the Paper

Two Roles of Research in Planning and Writing a Paper

Doing Background Research

Doing Focused Research

Research and Critical Thinking

Writing and Pre-writing

Writing Better and Saving Time

Where Are You in the Process?

Chapter 3: Practice and Assessment Exercises

Self-Assessment: Test It Out #2

CHAPTER 4 Other Minds, Other Views: Addressing “the Other Side” and Cultivating Critical Thinking Traits of Mind

“The Other Side”

“Weakpoints”

Critical Thinking Traits of Mind

The Traits and “the Other Side” of an Issue

Three Problems in Thinking about “the Other Side”

Seeing “the Other Side”

Describing “the Other Side” Fairmindedly

Incorporating “the Other Side” into Your Paper

The Order of the Writing Process

Chapter 4: Practice and Assessment Exercises

Self-Assessment: Test It Out #3

CHAPTER 5 Making the Paper Better: Critical Thinking Standards and Socratic Questioning

Revising the Paper: Making It Better

The Standards of Critical Thinking

How the Standards Help

Using the Standards Implicitly

Interventions: Enriching Your Paper with Socratic Questioning

Making Socratic Questioning Interventions

Socratic Interventions in Practice: Extended Examples

Writing Longer Papers

Chapter 5: Practice and Assessment Exercises

CHAPTER 6 Making It Flow, Making It Complete: Content, Audience, Communication, and Criticality

Fundamental and Powerful Concepts

Making It Flow: Grammatical Issues

How Grammar Works in Writing

Impediments to Writing Grammatically

Practical Guidelines

Making It Complete

Giving Credit

Taking It Seriously

The Larger Vision and Looking Ahead

Chapter 6: Practice and Assessment Exercises

Responses to Starred Practice and Assessment Exercises

Bibliography

Endnotes

Editorial Reviews

As an English professor who has endeavored to teach composition permeated with systematic, critical thinking for many years, this newest book by Gerald Nosich, Critical Writing: A Guide to Writing a Paper Using the Concepts and Processes of Critical Thinking, has once again supplied me with powerful and practical strategies for teaching. I first met Dr. Nosich at a seminar by The Foundation of Critical Thinking where I was at once captivated by his amazing teaching presentation and sound ideas for the classroom, especially in the area of writing critically with original content. Every time I attend these conferences, I seek out Dr. Nosich's presentations and never fail to be inspired; I always return to my students with more effectiveness in helping them to produce higher-level academic writing. I am preparing my next Composition 1 course with this new book in hand.

I highly recommend this book to all faculty who want their students to learn how to write papers of quality focused on issues of importance. This book stands above traditional approaches to writing in that it emphasizes the importance of reasoning in understanding and exploring issues at the heart of a written paper, and it details the explicit tools of critical thinking relevant to high quality writing. The critical thinking approach so clearly and expertly detailed by Dr. Nosich in this book--in readily accessible language--should be required in all writing courses.

Nosich's approach to using the Paul-Elder framework for Critical Thinking is practical and user-friendly, employing a clear and comprehensive set of tools for strong writing based on sound critical thinking. This well-designed and highly readable guidebook is an outstanding resource for anyone who wants to write well, in any non-fiction genre.

This volume appeals to faculty, students, and others, who appreciate a structured and accessible approach to improving their writing. I especially like Dr. Nosich's unpretentious, conversational tone that keeps readers engaged, and provides practical solutions to the writing challenges they face.

Though good thinking and good writing are intimately connected, textbooks often neglect this important link, focusing either on writing techniques or on critical thinking theories and strategies. Nosich's text fills a gap in the market by offering students and teachers a practical guide for embedding critical thinking into the writing process. Drawing on both his deep knowledge of critical thinking and his decades of experience as a classroom instructor, Nosich offers readers a robust and substantive discussion of critical writing, the act of applying critical thinking concepts, traits, and strategies to research and writing. This text would be a valuable addition to any class focused on cultivating skills in writing, critical thinking, or research methods.

With Critical Writing, Gerald Nosich has filled a gaping hole in the current pedagogical literature about helping students think more critically and then use that thinking to write effectively across disciplines. Many books about this topic provide a prescriptive formula for critical thinking, but most texts do not offer students a way to adapt their thinking processes to their own purposes and individuality. That Nosich provides guidance to both instructors and students with plenty of examples and exercises combined with added emphasis on the crucial role self-reflection plays in all writing sets this text above others in the field.

From the Publisher

This volume appeals to faculty, students, and others, who appreciate a structured and accessible approach to improving their writing. I especially like Dr. Nosich's unpretentious, conversational tone that keeps readers engaged, and provides practical solutions to the writing challenges they face.

Eileen Z. Taylor

Though good thinking and good writing are intimately connected, textbooks often neglect this important link, focusing either on writing techniques or on critical thinking theories and strategies. Nosich’s text fills a gap in the market by offering students and teachers a practical guide for embedding critical thinking into the writing process. Drawing on both his deep knowledge of critical thinking and his decades of experience as a classroom instructor, Nosich offers readers a robust and substantive discussion of critical writing, the act of applying critical thinking concepts, traits, and strategies to research and writing. This text would be a valuable addition to any class focused on cultivating skills in writing, critical thinking, or research methods.

Amanda Hiner

I highly recommend this book to all faculty who want their students to learn how to write papers of quality focused on issues of importance. This book stands above traditional approaches to writing in that it emphasizes the importance of reasoning in understanding and exploring issues at the heart of a written paper, and it details the explicit tools of critical thinking relevant to high quality writing. The critical thinking approach so clearly and expertly detailed by Dr. Nosich in this book—in readily accessible language—should be required in all writing courses.

Linda Elder

As an English professor who has endeavored to teach composition permeated with systematic, critical thinking for many years, this newest book by Gerald Nosich, Critical Writing: A Guide to Writing a Paper Using the Concepts and Processes of Critical Thinking, has once again supplied me with powerful and practical strategies for teaching. I first met Dr. Nosich at a seminar by The Foundation of Critical Thinking where I was at once captivated by his amazing teaching presentation and sound ideas for the classroom, especially in the area of writing critically with original content. Every time I attend these conferences, I seek out Dr. Nosich’s presentations and never fail to be inspired; I always return to my students with more effectiveness in helping them to produce higher-level academic writing. I am preparing my next Composition 1 course with this new book in hand.

Patti Parsons

With Critical Writing, Gerald Nosich has filled a gaping hole in the current pedagogical literature about helping students think more critically and then use that thinking to write effectively across disciplines. Many books about this topic provide a prescriptive formula for critical thinking, but most texts do not offer students a way to adapt their thinking processes to their own purposes and individuality. That Nosich provides guidance to both instructors and students with plenty of examples and exercises combined with added emphasis on the crucial role self-reflection plays in all writing sets this text above others in the field.

Ann M. Pearson

Nosich’s approach to using the Paul-Elder framework for Critical Thinking is practical and user-friendly, employing a clear and comprehensive set of tools for strong writing based on sound critical thinking. This well-designed and highly readable guidebook is an outstanding resource for anyone who wants to write well, in any non-fiction genre.

Kathleen Gibson-Dee