DISCUSSING FEATURES OF THE CRITICAL THINKING ESSAY FORMAT

A critical thinking essay is intended to help the students develop analytic skills while at the same time creating sound arguments. Unlike in the narrative and review essays, the critical thinking academic papers require the students to add their thoughts, try contemplating the meaning and also add value to the particular text as they analyze the important issues. The professors and supervisors grade papers of this type based on the writing skills and ability of developing thoughtful, coherent arguments. The following are some important tips for essay writing you need to know.

• Select the topic:
  Most college supervisors require the students the students to write some critical response to essays, opinion pieces and literature. If the paper is in response to something you have read, you need to carefully read the piece and outline the main points. You should then select some specific idea or argument in order to analyze the paper. If allowed to select the topic, ensure you choose which can easily be summed up in the basic arguments. Choose single philosophy or argument which can be exhaustively analyzed in the academic paper.
• Develop thesis:
  The thesis is imply the central argument in your paper. The rest of the paper must be based on the thesis. If the thesis is strong, it gives some specific information about the main idea or topic you want to address the primary arguments. Ensure you provide the main reasons for the arguments that you advance, and also, when responding to the text, provide some brief statement about the arguments by the author.
• Outline the paper:
  Outline the paper and this should be done while focusing on the arguments which support the thesis. Ensure you draw upon the evidence if the paper requires that you research. If the paper is simply analytical, you have to provide some logical arguments in favor of analysis or point to which you respond to. When comparing works of literature, you should try listing down the differences and similarities in the outline. Avoid getting in to emotional ploys and tangential points. You should stick to the arguments and evidence that you feel is the most compelling in support of your paper.
• Draft the main body of the paper:
  When responding to text, ensure you summarize your main arguments in your paper’s first few paragraphs. When developing argument on its own, prepare outline of the ideas in the first or two paragraphs. Each subsequent paragraph should be devoted to piece of evidence or distinct argument in favor of the main point in your paper. In doing this, anticipate the possible objections. Also ensure you outline all the possible criticisms which others may propose against your argument. Counter these criticisms by explaining why they do not apply.
• Conclusion and recommendations:
  Add concluding paragraph which summarizes the arguments. In the conclusion, recommend future research if need be, and also point out unresolved issues if any.