Critical Thinking Skills for University Success

Academic Skills for University Success Specialization

The University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching
‘Critically evaluating arguments’
In this assignment, you will apply some of the forms of critical thinking and methods of
argument evaluation to one of two short texts on squatting.

1. Choose one of the two argumentative texts on squatting.

2. Analyse the argument in the text. This analysis could be looking at parts of the
argument that are good, and/or parts of the argument that are problematic. You will
need to look in particular at:

• the premises and conclusions the arguer uses

• any logical fallacies the argument might contain

• the arguer's use of claims and evidence

• any biases or assumptions in the argument

• the types of argument used

3. Indicate the parts of the argument being analysed, and your evaluation of the argument,
by using the Comments function in either a word processing application or on Google Docs.

4. Save the document with comments as a .pdf file and upload your assignment.

Marking Criteria

Critical Thinking Skills for University Success Summative Peer Assignment

Doesn’t do this Does this Does this well
OR does this
poorly
Does the learner evaluate the
premises and conclusions of the
argument, or any logical fallacies?
Does the learner evaluate the
claims and evidence of the
argument?
Does the learner identify any
biases or assumptions?
Does the learner identify different
types of arguments?

‘Communication Skills for University Success’ MOOC, University of Sydney Centre for English
Teaching, ©2016