Starting Your Dissertation: Think differently

 Before rushing in it is good to spend time thinking about the assignment and what you want to say.

 You may already have an opinion. You may already feel you know the answer but generally an academic work requires that you:

- make an argument supported by evidence

- are aware of and can critique your own opinion

- know the key theories in the area, understand them and can analyse them.

 This pages introduces you to ways of thinking differently such as Critical Thinking

Sometimes visually drawing all you know, think and feel about a topic is a good way to get information on paper.

Mind Maps are ways of doing this which can help you analyse a topic, identify what you know already and what you need to find out.

Sometimes our thinking can get stuck. Creative thinking is a set of techniques that help us change our thinking patterns.

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.