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Critical Analysis: Thinking, Reading, and Writing

Targeted reading and use of evidence

With so much to read, it can be difficult to know where to begin, and then to stay on track! This video will help you get to grips with focused, purposeful reading guided by your own ideas. 

If you are unable to view this video on YouTube it is also available on YuJa - view the Targeted reading and use of evidence video on YuJa (University username and password required)

Critical note-taking

It’s important at university level to develop your note-taking skills. This video will help you figure out how to get started.

If you are unable to view this video on YouTube it is also available on YuJa - view the Critical note taking video on YuJa (University username and password required)

Evaluating your sources

All sources can be useful, but not all of them will be reliable. This video will help you better understand what makes academic sources more reliable than others.

If you are unable to view this video on YouTube it is also available on YuJa - view the Evaluating your sources video on YuJa (University username and password required)

Resources

Confused by all these acronyms? Wondering what they mean and how you’re meant to use them? This video should clear things up for you.

If you are unable to view this video on YouTube it is also available on YuJa - view the C R A A P, B E A M , and S P E A R A guide for the perplexed video on YuJa (University username and password required)

C.R.A.A.P. will help you find sources that are reliable enough to use in your assignments and class preparation

B.E.A.M. will help you understand some of the ways in which you can use your sources in your assignments

S.P.E.A.R. will help you understand what to focus on when analysing a source

There are so many aspects of a source to take into account when critically analysing it. As such, it’s important to keep your critical notes organised. These resources provide various templates for organising your notes. 
Use this note-taking table as a prompt when reading an academic source. When you begin reading a new source, save a blank copy of the table to your computer, and fill it out with your thoughts.

The three domains of critical reading helps you to map your critical analysis of a source onto your analysis of other sources covering similar topics, as well as your own ideas. Print an A3 copy of the table for each of your assignments.