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School of Politics and International Relations

Critical Thinking and Writing for SPIR
Successful completion of your Masters programme requires that you are able to effectively develop and apply a range of academic communication skills. You could try to figure this all out as you go along, or you can receive bespoke guidance, which will help you make more productive use of your time, improve your scores, and increase effective engagement. 
This module will guide you through the key aspects of effective academic communication, critical thinking and preparation for Dissertation Writing, by focusing on a range of skills that are necessary for academic success: 
  • Analysing task instructions – deconstructing essay titles and devising and justifying original research questions
  • Reading and researching critically – analytical writing over descriptive writing
  • Planning, structuring and organising your response to the set task, maximising task fulfilment and highlighting innovative and original critical analysis - boosting your VOICE
  • Understanding and following academic conventions. Using your referencing system consistently and accurately as part of your ability to avoid plagiarism. 
  • Writing in a tone and style appropriate for this domain of discourse
  • Meeting the expectations outlined in the marking criteria so that you achieve the grades you  deserve
  • Developing an effective research question and meaningfully occupying that research space and preparing a research proposal
Critical Thinking and Writing for SPIR is a non-credit bearing, 10 week programme. The module runs in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. 
There is no coursework, but you are encouraged to share, and receive feedback on, work you are producing on your parallel degree programme. 
In Semester A of 2024/25, there are two available time slots for this module. Please check Mysis, searching for EAL7821A and EAL7821B for details.

Critical Thinking and Writing for Politics [PDF 86KB]

Dissertation Writing for Politics [PDF 27KB]

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