NUS Module ES1531/GEK1549 Critical Thinking and Writing : A Review

This is a compulsory module for Engineering Students.


Two parts. First half of the module is about critical reading and writing critiques. Fallacies and how to spot them as well as other flaws in writings will be taught. Putting all these into a critique and substantiating with examples will be subsequently taught. Examples and exercises will be done. Assignment is also a critique writing assignment, where adequate research about the topic needs to be done in order to write a good critique. The department will also conduct a workshop on how to do database searches with the help of NUS libraries.


Very dry part and be prepared to fall asleep. But to score well for this module, the critique should not be taken lightly. Write in a concise manner, bring out your points logically and substantiate with good sources. If your grasp of language isn't that strong, try asking someone to read through your critique assignment for you.


Second half of the module is about writing position papers. A topic will be chosen and a position paper will be written, in groups of 4 to 5. Be prepared to do a lot of research on the topic in order to write a good position paper. Tutor will go through your position paper with you and you will improve on it over the course of a few weeks. It is a little bit like PW Report Writing done in junior college.


The final exam is a critique writing paper, similar to the assignment, except that a few sources will be given to you on the spot, instead of you having to do the nitty gritty research. You will have to write your critique in such a manner that the sources shall play an important role in assisting you to substantiate the points.


A slack module in all, and also a very boring one. Note though learning how to use databases will be very crucial.


THIS REVIEW WAS WRITTEN BY A NETIZEN KNOWN BY THE MONIKER AFORL, A CURRENT NUS UNDERGRADUATE. THANK YOU AFORL FOR ALLOWING US TO REPRODUCE YOUR REVIEW.


The Czar (Site Founder)

Dated 20 August 2014