AS Critical Thinking for AQA

AS Critical Thinking for AQA is the definitive textbook for students of the current AQA Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabus. Structured very closely around the AQA specification, it covers the two units of the AS level in an exceptionally clear and student-friendly style. The chapters are helpfully subdivided into short digestible passages, and include: intended learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter student exercises at the end of each section with a 'stretching activity' for more advanced learners exam orientated questions key point summaries at the end of each section cross references. In line with the AQA specification, there is a heavy emphasis on more imaginative forms of source material, for example, music, film, artwork, historical documents, adverts, moral dilemmas and scientific debates, as a means of illustrating key points. A great deal of emphasis is also placed on 'live' or 'real' arguments, taking topical examples from the world of science, politics, entertainment and sport. The book is accompanied by a companion website with extensive resources for both instructors and students.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; 1: Foundation Unit; 1: Reasoned argument; 2: Areas of discourse; 3: Claims; 4: Analysing and interpreting arguments; 5: Assumptions; 6: Evaluating arguments; 7: Considering consequences; 8: Additional evidence, counter-examples and analogies; 9: Ambiguity, vagueness and clarifying terms; 10: The use of persuasive language; 11: Flaws; 12: Drawing comparisons and contrasts; 13: Presenting your own arguments; 14: Unit 1 exam guide; 2: Information, Inference and Explanation; 15: Presenting information/evidence; 16: Numerical and statistical reasoning; 17: Patterns and correlations; 18: Plausible explanations; 19: Drawing safe inferences; 20: Unit 2 exam guide

About the Author :
Oliver McAdoo is Head of Critical Thinking at Godalming College. He is part of the team that helped develop the new philosophy specification for the exam board beginning in 2009. He has also created specimen assessment material for this new specification. He is senior examiner and scrutineer in philosophy and co-author of the official exam board textbook.

Review :
'I am very impressed; it has good clear explanations and signposts the expectations of the examination. I think the author has done a particularly good job of linking the arguments in to other disciplines such as the examples from Philosophers, Psychology and Law. I would fully recommend and use the text.' - Tara Baker, Head of Religious Studies, Peter Symonds College 'I think it is appropriate, clear and well-written. The arguments chosen are interesting and accessible, and the activities are excellent.' - Cressida Tweed, Woodhouse College, Finchley