INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL WRITING & SEMINAR IN NURSING

LECTURE NOTES COMPILED BY Nr. KURE M.A.

CONTENTS

UNIT I: INTRODUCTION

 Nursing Resume
 Position Paper
 Health History
 Nursing Note
 Nursing Care Plan
 Nursing Report
 Case Study
 Nursing Literature Review
 Critique Article
 Narrative
 Scholarly Report
 Charts-Fluid balance, Seizure, TPR, etc.

UNIT II: CONCEPT OF SEMINAR

TYPES OF SEMINAR PAPER:

 Empirical
 Conceptual
 Theoretical
 Review

UNIT III: DEVELOPMENT & VALIDATION OF SEMINAR PAPERS

 Selection of Seminar/Project Topic

 Components of Seminar Paper
 Critical Thinking/Critical Thinking Skills
 Public Speaking
 Presentation of Seminar
 Application of ICT &Audio visual Aids in Seminar Presentation
E.g. Power point, Projectors, etc.

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 UNIT IV: ETHICAL& LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN SEMINAR PAPERS

 Principles of writing a good Seminar Paper

 Crediting Sources of Materials
 Referencing in Paper Presentation
 Citation of Authors
 Plagiarism & types of Plagiarism
 Legal Implications of Plagiarism
 Prevention of Plagiarism

UNIT V: SEMINAR PRESENTATION FOCUSING ON MEDICAL-SURGICAL

NURSING (GROUP PRESENTATIONS).

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 WHAT IS PROFESSINAL WRITING?
Definition of Professional Writing

Professional writing is a style of written communication used in a workplace environment that

allows professionals (e.g. businesspeople, professors, doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc.) to make
informed decisions (Taylor, 2021).

Professional writing is a style of writing that is clear, concise, and seeks to convey information
and ideas quickly in a professional setting

Professional writing typically has a formal tone and differs from written text that is considered
literary or artistic, which generally seeks to convey a philosophical truth. It allows professional
to communicate ideas and information to each other irrespective of their specialties.

Purpose of Professional Writing

The general purpose of professional writing is to convey information to readers within a

workplace context. The specific function of professional writing can be one or a mixture of the
following, depending on context:

 To encourage action
 To instruct
 To persuade
 To inform
 To affirm shared goals

What are different types of professional writing?

1. Business letters

A business letter is typically used to convey company information. A business letter can be as
short or long as the writer needs. The recipient’s address must always be included in a business
letter, and it should also include who is writing the letter. Finally, the body of a business letter is
where you write your main message.

2. Emails

Email writing is the most common type of business communication. Emails can be used to
communicate with employees or customers, share information, provide instructions on how to
use a product or service, or serve as an informational marketing tool.

3. Reports

Reports are documents that archive and communicate information, record incidents, or finalize
projects and recommendations.

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4. Newsletters

Newsletters are a powerful tool that can be used to improve the business’s credibility and
authority. Newsletters are means of communication to an audience or clients; newsletters can be
brief, punchy, and simple. You should maintain interest by keeping it brief, but you must also
keep it interesting.

5. Memos

Memos are short and to the point, brief, easy-to-read type of professional writing used within
organizations to communicate information. When writing memos, keep the last paragraph
actionable so that readers will take appropriate actions after reading the message (such as signing
up for an internal email list or an event).

6. Press releases

Press releases are a great way of communicating goals and services of an organization, company,
products, events, or policies to the public. They can be used to get people’s attention and share
information about the organization with a broad audience.

7. Meeting agendas

A meeting agenda is a list of items and the timing for a meeting. The goal is to identify the
meeting’s goals and discuss topics. A clear, well-written agenda can help individuals stay on
track at meetings.

8. Resumes and cover letters

A cover letter is an introduction to a resume, and it can be up to 400 words long. A good way to
tie experience in with the job description is by mentioning the skills that an individual has
specifically listed in the job description. It should also include a mention of how the individual
meet the qualifications for the position.

9. Handbooks

Handbooks are a great way for employers to outline strategies for thinking, writing, and acting.
They can be valuable to both the employer and employee because they set out rules that should
be followed. Handbooks protect employers against claims, but they also help managers build an
ethical framework in which employees work.

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 Nursing Resume

A nursing resume is a document highlighting your nursing skills, formal education, and
relevant experience. It can also include the license type and number.

Individuals use resumes to apply for jobs, schools, awards, grants or other professional
opportunities. Resumes typically include: contact information, work experiences, education and
skills. They might also include an objective that briefly summarizes one’s primary experiences
and skills while also indicating areas of interest in the specific position or award.

When applying for nursing jobs, it's imperative to capture employer’s attention right away. One
way to do this is by having a resume that stands out. The key to getting their attention is to create
a summarized resume that quickly highlights all relevant experiences and skills.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) and resume can be used interchangeably, compared to resumes, CVs
typically provide more information about a candidate, such as their publication history and
awards, and they are often associated with academia, research and sciences. CVs are also usually
longer than resumes, although the exact length depends on a candidate's professional and
academic history and experience.

Guide to writing a Resume:

1. Name and address/contact information

2. Include a professional summary.
3. Add work experience.
4. Include educational qualifications.
5. List relevant skills (Soft and hard skills)
6. Explain relevant achievements and awards.
7. Use a business format (a summarized format)
8. Include keywords (such as ‘Skilled’, ‘Proficient’, Excellent’)
9. Review relevant samples of Resume before writing
10. Select an attractive Template.

Position Paper
A position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is
to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and worth listening to. Ideas that are being
considered need to be carefully examined by choosing a topic, developing an argument, and
organizing this argument into a paper. A position paper is also known as expository or
argumentative essays.
Purpose of a position paper
The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that writer’s opinion is valid and worth
listening to. Its aim is to:
 To state an organization's policy,

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  State the position of an organization, or
 State an individual or organization’s philosophy about a subject.
Steps in Writing a Position Paper
1. Introduction
2. Counter Argument (i.e. other’s view point the writer is counteracting)
3. Writer’s arguments-in points (Give points with proofs, facts or evidence)
4. Conclusion (Restate argument and provide plan of action)
Health History

A record of information about a person’s health which include information about allergies,
illnesses, surgeries, immunizations, and results of physical exams and tests; it may also include
information about medicines taken and health habits, such as diet and exercise (National Cancer
Institute, 2023).

Purpose for Obtaining Health History

 To understand the overall state of health of the patient

 To determine if the history is related to any acute complaints presented by the patient
 To guide the health personnel towards a diagnosis
 To gather information that will help in preventing potential harm to the patient during
treatment in the case of allergies
 To avoid duplication of care by administering or prescribing a medication the patient has
previously taken.
 It may indicate a need for further investigation of patient complaints
 Family history may help in risk-stratifying of patients with conditions that are genetically
linked (e.g. Diabetes, Hypertension)

Components of a Comprehensive Health History

 Demographic and biological data

 History of Presenting Illness
 Past Medical History
 Family History
 Obstetric History (for women)
 History of immunizations (where applicable)
 Nutritional Status
 Allergies
 Medications
 Investigation Results
 Psychological Well Being

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Procedure Steps in taking Health History:

Step 01-Introduction

Introduce yourself, identify the patient and gain consent to speak with them. It is also important
to ask for the patient’s permission to take down notes.

Step 02 - Presenting Complaint (PC)

This is what the patient tells you is wrong, for example: chest pain.

Step 03 - History of Presenting Complaint (HPC)

Gather as much information as possible about the specific complaint.

Sticking with chest pain as an example you should ask:

 Site: Where exactly is the pain?

 Onset: When did it start, was it constant/intermittent, gradual/ sudden?
 Character: What is the pain like e.g. sharp, burning, tight?
 Radiation: Does it radiate/move anywhere?
 Associations: Is there anything else associated with the pain, e.g. sweating, vomiting.
 Time course: Does it follow any time pattern, how long did it last?
 Exacerbating / relieving factors: Does anything make it better or worse?
 Severity: How severe is the pain, consider using the 1-10 scale?

The SOCRATES acronym can be used for any type of pain history.

Step 04 - Past Medical History (PMH)

Gather information about a patient’s other medical problems (if any).

Step 05 - Drug History (DH)

Find out what medications the patient is taking, including dosage and how often they are taking
them, for example: once-a-day, twice-a-day, etc.

At this point it is a good idea to find out if the patient has any allergies.

Step 06 - Family History (FH)

Gather some information about the patient’s family history, e.g. diabetes or cardiac history. Find
out if there are any genetic conditions within the family, for example: polycystic kidney disease.

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Step 07 - Social History (SH)

This is the opportunity to find out a bit more about the patient’s background. Remember to ask
about smoking and alcohol and if they use any illegal substances, for example: cannabis,
cocaine, etc.

Also find out who lives with the patient, the patient may be caring for an elderly parent or a child
try to ensure that they are not neglected should the patient be admitted/remain in hospital.

Step 08 - Review of Systems (ROS)

Gather a short amount of information regarding the other systems in the body that are not
covered in your HPC (e.g. CVS, GU/Renal, Endocrine, Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, GI
Systems).

Step 09 - Summary of History

Complete your history by reviewing what the patient has told you. Repeat back the important
points so that the patient can correct you if there are any misunderstandings or errors.

Step 10 - Patient Questions / Feedback

During or after taking their history, the patient may have questions that they want to ask. It is
very important to respond to the questions correctly; any question that cannot be answered
should be referred to a senior colleague, don’t give them any false information. Thank the patient
for cooperating after completing the history taking.

Nurses Notes

What Are Nurses’ Notes?

These notes are the formal documentation that nurses make when charting, based on the
notations and scribbles nurses gather during a patient visit.

Keeping thorough and accurate notes is very important for maintaining effective communication
between nurses and the health team; also, if a malpractice case is ever filed, these charts will be
used by the legal team involved.

Example:

“When I walked in the room, the patient was blue and having trouble breathing. I called the
doctor and started CPR. Then the team doctor on call arrived” (Tomaselli, 2022).

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‘‘While checking the vital signs, patient vomited, content of vomitus includes previous ingested
food and brownish secretions about 50mls. I cleaned patient up and informed physician on call’’.

Tips for Writing Excellent Nurses’ Notes

 Be concise
 Read other nurses note be familiar with how to write yours
 State the facts not your opinion
 Get guidance from an experienced colleague
 Chart shorthand at the point of care before reporting e.g. (9/10 pain level/Pentazocine)
 Chart patient’s information immediately after each visit to the patient’s room/bedside.
 Note patient’s responses/tolerance of procedures and care
 Describe observations e.g. “color pink, swelling to lower extremities, pain 4/10.”
 Never speculate-write exactly what the patient feel or say
 Always chart adequate, concise and accurate information.

What is Nursing Report?

A nursing report is a document that nurses hand over to others at shift change to give a
detailed information about the patient's conditions. It can also be used as an evidence during
a legal investigation (Academic Writers Bureau, 2019).

Reports may be oral, audio or written form of documentation.

The common types of nursing reports include:

· Change of shift reports

· Telephone reports
· Family member reports
· Incident reports
· Legal reports.

Importance of report writing in Nursing

 Good report saves time

 It improves the quality of care
 It enhances continuity in care
 It prevents the chances of duplication of care end efforts
 It minimizes error in medication/other treatments
 It helps in maintaining efficiency in patient’s care and ward management
 It saves the nurse from embarrassment and enhances confidence in service delivery

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  It boosts patient’s confidence in service delivered
 Report provides security and serves as a legal document in the court of law.

What is a Case Study?

A case study is an in-depth analysis of an individual patient. In the realm of nursing, case studies
focus on specific patients and provide information about their symptoms, their medical history
and their diagnoses.

Writing case studies is considered a useful learning tool; it fosters learner-centered learning as
well as critical thinking skills in the student. It also forces students to reflect on the assessment
and entire course of treatment for a patient, ranging from obtaining important information/health
history to diagnosis and treating of the medical/surgical conditions.

How to Write a Nursing Case Study?

1. Collect the bulk of data available about the patient.

2. Read literature about the diagnosed condition.
3. Focus on the individual patient and their symptoms.
4. Describe the situation and outline its development in time.
5. Analyze the actions medical personnel have done.
6. Conclusion and final summary of the patient.
7. References/Bibliography.
8. Appendices.

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of published information on a

chosen subject area. It can also be referred to as a summary and analysis of research published on
a specific topic.

Conducting a literature review demands a thorough examination of a body of literature that has
been research and published that is relevant in answering the research question. Forms of
Literature reviewed includes; scholarly journals, scholarly books, authoritative databases-such as
PUBMED, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Science Direct, GOOGLE Scholar, etc. and other primary
sources.

Steps in conducting a Literature Review:

1. Choose a topic
2. Review the guidelines provided for the assignment intended
3. Search for relevant articles
4. Read and evaluate the articles

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 5. Synthesize the literature
6. Summarize and discuss the articles in your writing
7. Identify gaps in the current research on your topic.

Critique Article

An article critique is a form of academic writing that provides critical evaluation through
intensive analysis of an article, which involves giving a brief summary of the article. Reading an
article critique helps an audience to understand the key points of the article, and the author’s
ideas and intentions. It indicates the perceived success of an article and analyses its strengths and
weaknesses.

An article critique has to be written in formal language and using a structured format. It should
consist of an introduction, several body paragraphs and a conclusion. Though the general pattern
is similar, some formatting styles have certain specific guidelines for writing an article critique.
It is important to study how to write a critique properly and to be sure of what each formatting
style requires. To be able to write an effective critique, writers must also have a full
understanding of the topic they are analyzing.

The main purposes of writing an article critique are to:

 Describe the main ideas and what the author wants to express
 Analyze each important and interesting point and develop an explanation of the article
 Interpret the author’s intention
 Summarize and evaluate the value of an article, stating whether you agree or disagree
with the author, with supporting evidence.

Steps involved in writing an article critique:

1. Read the article for the first time to understand its main ideas. If unsure whether it is
understood clearly or not, reread it.
2. Once you feel you understand what the article is talking about, read the article again and
make notes as you go. If you find any interesting sentences or paragraphs that you think
should be discussed, you should quote them as evidence to support your discussion.
3. From your notes, analyze and discuss each important point. You can give your comments
and opinions at this stage.
4. Summarize and provide a conclusion regarding whether you like or dislike the article.
Support your ideas with the evidence you found.

It is important to Note that:

 Although called a ‘critique’, an article critique does not only give critical and negative
feedback on an article. A good critique should include both positive praise and negative
criticism for a particular work.
 Use direct quotations of the author’s work where appropriate to avoid accusations of
plagiarism.

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  Write the critique in the third person.

Scholarly Report/Article

Scholarly reports or articles are written by researchers or experts in a field in order to

share the results of their original research or analysis with other researchers and
students. A scholarly article is written on a specific topic of original research for a specific
audience (other researchers in that field). Generally, a scholarly article is published in a peer
reviewed journal.

It typically details an original study and the results obtained. It should provide insights into
the relevance of the study to the field of study. Alternative names for a scholarly article are a
scientific manuscript, a journal article, an academic article, a scientific paper, a scholarly
journal article, or an academic journal article.

Tips on how to write a scholarly article for publication:

 Make a template for all future manuscripts.

 Learn what to include and what NOT to include in each section.
 Don’t repeat yourself even if it is written in a different way.
 Start with the Methods section.
 Write the other sections in this order: Introduction, Results and Discussion, Conclusions,
and then the Abstract.
 Gather the bibliography before you write the Introduction, Results and Discussion
sections.
 Make your figures and tables first. Then, discuss them in order in your Results and
Discussion section.
 Understand that the most successful and well-cited peer reviewed articles not only have
great results but also explain the value of their results.
 Write the Conclusions when you are fresh.
 Write the Abstract last. But, first learn what should NOT be in an Abstract.
 Think carefully about your title.
 Write the shorter sections when you need a break from working on the other longer
sections.
 Reread the entire manuscript when you have written all sections. Add or fill in any gaps
you left. Make sure it flows well.
 If you write in your native language (not English), use simple, short sentences that will
be easy to translate into English.
 Get a good translator if you did not write the original manuscript (paper) in English.
Then, have the paper proofread or edited by a professional editor or at least a colleague.

UNIT II: CONCEPT OF SEMINAR

What is a Seminar Paper?

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A seminar paper is an academic write up that is developed via academic, systematic and
scientific method, and presented before an audience (students, course mates/instructors/tutors,
lecturers, Faculty Committee, etc.)

Components of a Seminar Paper:

A seminar paper is a short piece of writing, usually 1-2 pages in length, concerning an aspect of a
given text. A seminar paper consists of the following elements (in order): cover page, table of
contents, lists of tables, figures and abbreviations (where necessary), main body, list of
references, and appendices (where necessary).

Types of Seminar Paper:

1. Conceptual Review
2. Theoretical Review
3. Empirical Review

Conceptual Review:
The conceptual literature review is meant to categorize and describe concepts relevant to the
study or topic and outline a relationship between them. The main concepts in the research topic
should be outlined and described to create an enlightenment to reader about the variables under
study. It is linked with the concepts, empirical research and important theories used in promoting
and systemizing the knowledge gathered by the researcher in the course of the study.

The process of Conceptual Review includes;

1. Choose a topic: The researcher has to decide on the research topic. This should be based
on researcher’s interest and available resources.
2. Do a literature review: There is need to visit relevant and updated researches on similar
topics to learn from past conceptual review.
3. Identify the important variables (dependent and independent variables) in the study
then use it to generate the conceptual framework.
4. Expand the Conceptual Review by identifying other variables (mediator, moderator,
control variables) that might influence the relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.

Example: Knowledge and Utilization of Antenatal Care Services Among Pregnant Women in
PHC Kakuri Kaduna State.
Concepts: Knowledge, Utilization, Antenatal Care and Pregnancy should be explained in the
theoretical review.
Theoretical Review:
Theoretical review explores theories that expound on the topic under study and which, thereby
help in better understanding of the study in question while at the same time putting forth a

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justification for the current study. It helps to establish what theories already exist, the
relationships between them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to
develop new hypotheses to be tested.

How to Introduce and apply a theory

Name the theory. Discuss the origins of the theory, who developed it, and how it has been tested
and applied. Identify your research question and hypothesis based on the theory. Using the
theory, explain how you expect your variables in current research to relate or effect one another.

The steps are as follows:

1. Identify the key concepts and the key terms from your problem statement and research
questions.
2. List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study.
3. Have a list of theories and take notes on how and where they were used.
4. Review past related literature to find theories related to your research work.
5. Select and apply theory to your research work.

Importance of Theoretical Framework in Research.

1. It provides a theory-driven approach to the current study.

2. It gives the study a well-defined and proven basis of argument.
3. It offers an explanation of the study's significance and validity.
4. It shows where the researcher intends to fill in gaps of knowledge and practice.
5. It provides broader guidelines and a general set of ideas within which a research study
can be fit in.
6. It provides the structure to define how the scholars shall approach the thesis as a whole.

Empirical Review:

An empirical literature review process involves the evaluation of previous empirical studies to
bring to rest a specific research issue. When conducting an empirical review, the researcher
searches for empirical studies in a similar field, to uncover gaps, convergence, and conflicts that
can help to properly identify, describe, and repeat the process.

At times providing all this information in a highly coherent manner is enough, however, some
schools or supervisors may require you to critique the reviewed empirical studies further,
especially by highlighting the strength and weaknesses of the various methodological apparatus,
tools, and techniques adopted by the author (s) of the reviewed empirical studies.

Steps to Writing an Empirical Review

 Decide on a topic
 Highlight the studies/literature that you will review in the empirical review
 Analyze the works of literature separately
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  Summarize the literature in table or concept map format
 Synthesize the literature and then proceed to write your empirical review

What is the difference Between Conceptual Review, Theoretical Review and Empirical
Review?

1. Review the theoretical literature; i.e. find and review the literature that talks
about the theory behind the topic.
2. Review the empirical literature, i.e. find and review the literature that talks
about research that has actually taken place in the real world so it gives solid
concrete evidence that informs the understanding of the topic.
3. Review the conceptual literature, i.e. review the literature about the concepts
underpinning the topic.

UNIT III: DEVELOPMENT & VALIDATION OF SEMINAR PAPERS

Selection of Seminar/Project Topic
A good project topic will make your research and project writing progress very quickly. If you
are able to come up with interesting topics, you have already earned 10% of the overall grade.
The first step in coming up with research topics is to look for research areas that you have
interests in and that which you are capable of handling based on your knowledge and experience.

If you want to conduct a successful research project, it is imperative to pick a good research
topic, regardless of your field or discipline. The topic you choose will influence your research’s
direction and scope, as well as its methods and approaches. It is important to choose a topic that
will allow you to explore your area of interest in-depth and also contribute to the existing body
of knowledge in the field.

The first step to conducting a meaningful and fulfilling research project is choosing a good
research topic. Your enthusiasm and dedication to the subject matter will lead to better outcomes
when you’re passionate about it. Even when faced with challenges or setbacks during the project,
a well-chosen research topic will keep you focused and motivated.

Tips for Project Topic Selection:

 Evaluate the time and resources you have to devote to project and choose a suitable topic
that will fit into your plan.
 Try to focus your topic to a defined issue, avoid vague or too broad topics that may take
too long compared to your available time.
 Pick a topic that will interest you. You should find something in which you have a natural
interest, this will give you the zeal to continue the project.
 Find help from experts to guide in the selection and framing of the project topic.
 If you are not sure how to research your topic, make an appointment with a librarian to
guide on the resources available and how to access such in your project.
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  Beware of topics that change quickly or could soon become irrelevant and try to avoid
such especially new policies that are likely not to last longer.
 Choose topics that solve problems in your community e.g. terrorism, emerging diseases,
economic hardship, etc.
 Be creative to go for topics that have not been covered extensively by previous researchers and
exciting to you and your friends.

Steps to Choosing a good Project Topic

A successful research project depends on choosing the right topic. You’re just beginning a long
and rewarding journey when you choose a research topic. Perseverance and dedication can lead
to research that advances human understanding of our world and contributes to the advancement
of your field. The following steps can provide a guide in Project Topic Selection:

1. Brainstorm possible subject matter

Begin by brainstorming a list of potential research topics that are of interest to you in order to
narrow down your choices. If you have a specific question or topic that you are curious about,
this could be anything from a broad topic that you are passionate about to a more specific
question, that’s the perfect time to write it down. Be sure to take into consideration your field of
study, current events, and any research gaps you have discovered in your area of expertise. Make
a list of any ideas that come to mind, no matter how unrelated or impractical they may seem. As
a result, you will be able to generate many potential topics to explore.

2. Think about your expertise and interests

Identify a topic that corresponds to your interests and expertise. When you are passionate about
your topic, your research will be more engaging and motivating. Make a list of topics you’re
familiar with and topics you’re interested in learning about. The goal is to choose a topic that you
enjoy researching and will keep you motivated throughout the research process.

3. Do a literature review

After you’ve compiled a list of potential topics, review the literature to see what previous
research has been done in the area. As a result, you will be able to identify gaps in the existing
research that you might be able to fill. Gather relevant research articles and papers by searching
academic databases, journals, and other credible sources. Study the literature carefully, making
notes on key findings and areas that have not been addressed. By focusing on topics that lack
extensive research or that have gaps in the existing literature, you will be able to narrow down
your list of potential research topics.

4. Assess the feasibility

Consider factors like data availability, time constraints, and access to research participants or
resources once you have a list of possible topics. You can use this information to determine
which topics may be suitable for your research. Consider ensuring you have enough participants

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for your study if you intend to do a large-scale study that requires a large sample size.
Considering the resources and equipment you’ll need for your research is important if you’re
working within a limited budget.

5. Make your research question more specific

As soon as you have chosen your topic, refine your research question to make sure it is specific,
relevant, and feasible. Your research will be guided, and you will stay on track by doing this.
Good research questions are clear and concise, and they identify the specific problem you’re
trying to solve. You should ensure that your research question is based on existing research and
that it can be conducted within the time and resource constraints you have.

6. Be open to feedback/ Correction

You may benefit from the feedback or correction from colleagues, supervisors, or other experts
in your field regarding the topic and research question you have chosen. You may gain valuable
insights from them or find alternative approaches you hadn’t thought of. Your research question
can be refined further by doing this, and you can ensure that you are on the right track with your
research.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical
connection between ideas. Critical thinking might be described as the ability to engage in
reflective and independent thinking. In essence, critical thinking requires you to use your ability
to reason. It is about being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information.

Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and assumptions rather than accepting them at face
value. They will always seek to determine whether the ideas, arguments and findings represent
the entire picture and are open to finding that they do not. Critical thinkers will identify, analyze
and solve problems systematically rather than by intuition or instinct.

A Person is said to be critically thinking when he or she can:

 Understand the links between ideas.

 Determine the importance and relevance of arguments and ideas.
 Recognize, build and appraise arguments.
 Identify inconsistencies and errors in reasoning.
 Approach problems in a consistent and systematic way.
 Reflect on the justification of their own assumptions, beliefs and values.

Critical Thinking Skills:

 Analysis: the ability to collect and process information and knowledge.

 Interpretation: concluding what the meaning of processed information is.
 Inference: assessing whether the knowledge you have is sufficient and reliable.

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  Evaluation: the ability to make decisions based on the available information.
 Explanation: communicating your findings and reasoning clearly.
 Self-Regulation: the drive to constantly monitor and correct your ways of thinking.
 Open-Mindedness: taking into account other possibilities and points of view.
 Problem-Solving: the ability to tackle unexpected problems and resolve conflicts.

Example of Critical Thinking Skills on a Resume—Nursing

 Evaluated and analyzed cases at hand to determine the priority of treatment.

 Clearly communicated and explained my rationales to doctors and other members of the
nursing staff.

Importance of Critical Thinking:

1. Critical Thinking Is Universal

Critical thinking is a domain-general thinking skill. What does this mean? It means that no
matter what path or profession you pursue, these skills will always be relevant and will always
be beneficial to your success. They are not specific to any field.

2. Crucial for Economic Growth

Our future depends on technology, information, and innovation. Critical thinking is needed for
our fast-growing economies, to solve problems as quickly and as effectively as possible.

3. Improves Language & Presentation Skills

In order to best express ourselves, we need to know how to think clearly and systematically —
meaning practice critical thinking! Critical thinking also means knowing how to break down
texts, and in turn, improve our ability to comprehend.

4. Promotes Creativity

By practicing critical thinking, we are allowing ourselves not only to solve problems but also to
come up with new and creative ideas to do so. Critical thinking allows us to analyze these ideas
and adjust them accordingly.

5. Important for Self-Reflection

Without critical thinking, how can we really live a meaningful life? We need this skill to self-
reflect and justify our ways of life and opinions. Critical thinking provides us with the tools to
evaluate ourselves in the way that we need to.

6. The Basis for Science

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In order to prove scientific facts, we need critical thinking in the world. Theories must be backed
up with knowledge. In order for a society to effectively function, its citizens need to establish
opinions about what’s right and wrong (by using critical thinking!).

Public Speaking and Skills

Public speaking is an important skill in both education and business. Basically, public speaking
refers to the process of delivering a speech in front of an audience. It can simply be seen as the
art or practice of making speeches to large audiences (Collins English Dictionary, 2012).

Historically, it was traditionally viewed as part of the art of persuasion. It probably started in
ancient Egypt, but the first written documents about public speaking can be traced back to the
Greeks and Romans. Today, public speaking has evolved remarkably with the introduction of
technologies such as videoconferencing, multimedia presentations, and other nontraditional
forms.

Types of presentations

There are three types of public speaking presentations: informative, persuasive and entertaining.

1.Informative Presentations:

Informative public speaking attempts to convey information or clarify an idea. e.g. school
presentations, science and technology presentations, business seminars.

2.Persuasive Presentations:

Persuasive public speaking aims at causing a change in the belief, attitude, or behavior of the
audience. e.g. in sales, debates, to a group of peers, political speeches.

3.Entertaining Presentations:

Entertaining public speaking includes storytelling or ceremonial speeches like those occurring
during religious and wedding occasions.

What are public speaking skills?

Public speaking skills are soft skills that showcase how well you can speak and engage your
listeners. Influential public speakers have the power to persuade, inform and educate others. It
helps you sway opinions, motivate others and become a natural leader. Mastery of this skill can
help you advance your career, increase confidence, improve leadership skills, develop
vocabulary and ensure personal development.

Communication: Being able to communicate an idea or thought clearly is an essential skill for
public speaking. A critical element of communication is the ability to control your voice and
speed of talking. If you talk too softly or loudly, the audience may fail to understand your point.

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Similarly, if you speak too slow or too fast, the audience may lose interest in what you have to
say.

Clear articulation: Public speakers with clear articulation lend more clarity to their thoughts
because they have excellent command over the language, use appropriate words and have a rich
vocabulary. Apart from reducing verbosity, clear articulation gives you the confidence to speak
at small and large meetings.

Presentation style: To make your presentation memorable and capture the audience's attention,
start your presentation by introducing yourself or sharing a few industry statistics. Use a joke or
story to inject some humour in your speech. Your presentation style should have the power to
engage the audience.

Confidence: Another essential skill of a public speaker is confidence. Often, even good
communicators who feel comfortable addressing a small audience may lose confidence when
talking to a large audience. Problems like nervousness and stage fright may disappear when you
are confident about your skills.

Passion: Communication becomes easier when you are passionate about the topic of your
speech. Without passion, your communication can fail to educate and inform others.

Ability to connect with the audience: When delivering a seminar or addressing an issue during
a meeting, you must connect with your audience. For creating a connection, assess your
audience's needs. For instance, some people are comfortable with technical terms while others
are not. Some prefer a light-hearted conversation, including jokes and humour, while others may
prefer a professional conversation. Excellent public speakers create an atmosphere that engages
and excites the listeners.

Ways to improve your public speaking skills:

1. Practice speaking

The more you speak with others, the more comfortable you become in addressing large
gatherings. You can practice your speaking skills by enrolling in a public speaking class. Also,
plan what you have to say in advance and read it aloud again and again. Start by reading the
speech to yourself. Then read it in front of your family members or colleagues and ask for their
honest feedback. Make a video recording of your rehearsal so that you can evaluate your
speaking skills and spot any areas of improvement.

2. Focus on your body language

Body language is a nonverbal communication skill that supports your public speaking skills.
When moving on the stage, always keep your shoulder and spine straight and have a gentle smile
on your face. Avoid standing behind desks, tables or chairs when talking to the audience. Use
gestures to emphasize a point and move to different areas of the stage according to the flow of
your presentation. Your facial expression must match the overall energy and tone of your speech.

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3. Work on the tone of your voice

During presentations, your audience can lose interest if you use a monotone voice. You should
practice various voice modulations and try different pitches to draw the audience. Listen to
famous public speakers and understand how they use the tone of their voice to make their
presentations engaging.

4. Practice diaphragmatic breathing

Often, first-time public speakers may suffer from speech anxiety, which results in nervousness
and stage fear. To avoid speech anxiety, practice diaphragmatic breathing as it helps reduce
anxiety and allows better control over your voice, volume and pitch.

5. Make eye contact with your audience

Being able to engage your audience while delivering a speech is an essential quality of a public
speaker. To improve this, ensure you make eye contact with them. Practice eye contact in your
home or office when you talk to your friends or colleagues.

6. Be self-assured

Audiences easily connect with speakers who look confident. When you are self-assured and
confident of your skills, you successfully create an emotional connection that helps in delivering
the right idea or message.

References

Academic Writers Bereau, (2019). Importance-of-report-writing-in-nursing. Available at

https://www.academicwritersbureau.com/blog/407

Medistudents (2022). Steps in Health History Taking. Available at:

https://www.medistudents.com/osce-skills/patient-history-taking

Taylor, V. (2021). What is Professional Writing? - Definition & Explanation. Retrieved from

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-professional-writing-definition-lesson-quiz.html.

Tomaselli, J. (2022). How to write Great Nurses’ Note. Available at:

https://www.berxi.com/resources/articles/nurses-notes/

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