Write the Characteristics of Critical and Analytical Writing

Characteristics of Critical and Analytical Writing Standards of critical thinking are the measures based on which we asses whether a person’s thinking process is critical or not. Based on these benchmarks we judge the quality of a person’s thinking process. The following are the criteria for critical thinking: ¾ Clarity (Avoidance of vagueness) The most essential feature of critical thinking is the ability to communicate, in speaking or in writing, what we think with clarity. Being clear is necessary for effective communication. Vague or obscure expression of thought prevents proper communication. To attain clarity, we must have • A sense of the audience: An awareness of whom we are going to address helps us in choosing the right language and the right method for communicating our ideas clearly • Context clarity: The context in which we present our topic is also a decisive factor in achieving clarity • Conceptual clarity: This is one of the most important requirements in achieving clarity. Only when we are clear about what we are going to say, will we be able to present it clearly. So a proper understanding of the concept or the topic results in clarity. Clarity must be attained in two ways. First we must be clear about what we are going to say. Second we must use a suitable method so that we are able to communicate our ideas to our audience. To attain clarity • We must understand and present the topic clearly • We must be able to explain it. • We must be able to give examples and illustrate. • We must be able to see in advance the difficulties that our audience might have in understanding the topic. • We must be able to simplify our arguments by using different words (rephrase) • We must say only those things about which we are clear. • We must encourage questions, suggestions and discussion from audience.

 Impediments to clarity • Accepting or believing things without thinking. • Lack of a sense of intellectual responsibility • Prejudice • Strong emotional influence ¾ Accuracy Being true to facts is being accurate. Accuracy is essential especially when we are dealing with quantitative judgments (related to quantity). Clarity and accuracy are related, but not the same. ‘Global warming results in weather change’ is a clear statement but not accurate. To attain accuracy this statement has to be supported by evidence, justifications and facts. To attain accuracy • We must judge and analyse the credibility and reliability of the source of information. • We must be open to doubt and be ready to change our beliefs if they are wrong. • We must stop believing in what we wish for as true. • We must examine the accuracy of our beliefs by comparing different sources of information. • We must be open to the doubts and suggestions of our audience. • We must give the necessary support and explanations for our arguments. Impediments to accuracy • Lack of enough sources to compare and judge for accuracy. • Feeling comfortable with our old beliefs leading to unquestioning attitude. • Generalisations made on the basis of emotional influence. • Influence of culturally or socially held beliefs which are not supported by evidence. • Strong influence of print as well as electronic media. ¾ Precision When we become more specific without leaving any minute relevant detail related to the claim, we achieve precision. Clarity, accuracy and precision are related. For example, when a patient tells the Doctor that he is suffering from fever, his statement is clear. When he says that he has been suffering from fever for the last three days, his statement is accurate. But when the doctor asks the patient to keep a temperature chart, he is demanding precision. Precision is relative and context sensitive. To attain precision • We must support our statements with as much details as possible. • Lack of specific details must be avoided. • We must be very careful while gathering details from different sources. • We must take help from our audience to locate places that need further explanation and invite doubts and suggestions from them.

Impediments to precision • Lack of proper training or special skills needed to gather specific details. • Considering things as a whole that prevents us from going into the specific details. ¾ Relevance When writing or speaking critically, we must include only those details that are relevant or important to the issue. To attain this we must understand that the things that are important for us may not be important for the topic. So we must be able to set aside our personal interest and concentrate on the topic. Also we must understand that in critical thinking what matters is not the quantity but the quality of our writing. It is a misconception that the more we write, the better we write. To attain relevance • We must always keep in mind our main topic and see how the details that we gather are related to the main issue. • We must review our course of thinking. • We must list out all the main points and the sub points. • We must use summaries, outlines and concept maps. • We must consider what our audience takes to be relevant to the issue. Impediments to relevance • Our belief the more we write or the more we say, the better is our handling of the problem. • Our emotional attachment with certain aspects of the problem. ¾ Depth A detailed analysis of the underlying structures of an issue results in attaining depth. In critical thinking we must not stop our analysis with a superficial approach but we must go into the core of the problem. To attain depth • We must make a thorough analysis of the problem. • We must be prepared to face the complexities that arise while making such an analysis. • We must use our analytical ability. Impediments to depth • Our feeling of comfort in simplicity. • Laziness which prevents us from the hardwork needed for attaining depth. • Fear of complexities. ¾ Breadth When we consider all the relevant aspects and the various perspectives of the problem we attain breadth. To attain breadth • We must ask our audience to offer alternative approach on the issue being discussed. • We must be as exhaustive as possible