EDED21005 Presentation Skills for Arts Administrators

This course applies the principles of critical thinking to the writing of academic assignments and papers. Reflective writing is defined in terms of problem solving and critical inquiry. The relationship between critical thinking and critical writing is assessed. Students learn how to structure academic papers by way of an introduction, argument, background, evidence, synthesis, analysis and conclusion. The formatting of written assignments is detailed including headings, sub-headings, quotations, citations, the APA referencing format and the bibliography. Students practice writing university level assignments by clearly stating a position or argument, placing the position as the focus of the paper, drawing a logical conclusion, clearly explaining definitions, clear and concise writing, stating and defending assumptions, determining a well-informed position, identifying credible sources, making reasonable generalizations, hypotheses and predictions, positing alternative views, making fair and open-minded statements, convincing the reader, and checking for errors in reasoning. The course aims to provide a solid reference base for writing critically and reflectively in post-graduate studies for the attainment of the Graduate Certificate and to apply that writing to the construction of arguments and their resolution.