EL2010:03
Effective Writing 2: Analytical Thinking
Townsville
Prerequisites: At least 12 units of level 1 subjects or permission of HoS
13 lectures, 20 hours workshops. Second semester.
Staff: Professor P Pierce, Ms R Dunn.
This subject will develop the generic skills of analysis and critical thinking as well as the written and persuasive abilities of students. Seminars will introduce students to logic through practical application; problematic texts from newspapers, politics, academic articles and popular opinion will be dissected to identify the underlying fallacies and reasoning patterns. A debate will help students extend their verbal faculties and train them to provide fast, yet accurate and sound responses to challenges. Feedback from written assignments will encourage a precise and concise writing style and the ability to argue clearly and persuasively for a particular point.
Learning Objectives:
- develop the generic skills of analysis and critical thinking;
- identify flawed and sound arguments;
- encourage precise and concise written and oral expression;
- provide a grounding in logic which can be developed in the specifics of individual professions.
Assessment by two written assignments (40%); oral participation (30%); examination (30%).