Understanding Analytical Skills

What does "analysing" involve according to the learning material?

• Building your own arguments

• Judging the validity of elements

• Reading the work of others and breaking down their arguments

• Taking facts and using them in another context

What is "synthesising" as described in the document?

• Judging the validity of elements

• Building your own arguments, drawing upon the work of others

• Taking facts and using them in another context

• Reading the work of others and breaking down their arguments

How is "applying" defined in the learning material?

• Reading the work of others and breaking down their arguments

• Building your own arguments

• Taking facts or ideas and using them in another context

• Judging the validity of elements

What does "evaluating" mean according to the document?

• Building your own arguments

• Judging the validity of elements of an argument

• Taking facts and using them in another context

• Reading the work of others and breaking down their arguments

What does it mean to "compare"?

• Make clear the meaning of something. This might include giving a personal judgement.

• Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the difference between them.

• Point out similarities and differences between two or more views. This might involve coming to a conclusion as to the preferred view.

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.

What does it mean to "contrast"?

• Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the difference between them.

• Give an overview of the general principles and/or main features of a subject, omitting fine detail.

• Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached, which might include response to possible objections.

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.

What does it mean to "evaluate"?

• Make clear the meaning of something. This might include giving a personal judgement.

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.

• Give an overview of the general principles and/or main features of a subject, omitting fine detail.

• Point out similarities and differences between two or more views. This might involve coming to a conclusion as to the preferred view.

What does it mean to "interpret"?

• Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached, which might include response to possible objections.

• Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the difference between them.

• Make clear the meaning of something. This might include giving a personal judgement.

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.

What does it mean to "justify"?

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.

• Make clear the meaning of something. This might include giving a personal judgement.

• Give reasons for decisions or conclusions reached, which might include response to possible objections.

• Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the difference between them.

What does it mean to "outline"?

• Point out similarities and differences between two or more views. This might involve coming to a conclusion as to the preferred view.

• Give an overview of the general principles and/or main features of a subject, omitting fine detail.

• Set two views in opposition in order to highlight the difference between them.

• Access the value of something, which might include offering a personal opinion.