Thursday, 8 December 2011

LITERATURE REVIEW.

A literary review is a text, which aims is to review or critique aspects of an essay, idea or topic. In my  personal case the piece of literature had to be agreed with. So there for I had to look for positive information
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After the topic for review has been chosen, the next and most important aspect of the literature review is the research.

The first point of call is the library , where you can access books, journals, up to date news paper articles, and of course the world wide web. The internet is an endless source of information but it has its flaws. Some of the information on the internet can be falsified or discredited so be careful. Make sure your research is coming from a very credited data base.
  
This is a  key aspect of researching for essays or reviews because the more essays or books you read on a topic, particularly with differing overall opinions, the more balanced and well rounded the review or essay will be
After all research has been done and sources read, it is important to plot out your  review, marking sure that you have your introduction, body of text, and your conclusion..

All written work should be drafted numerous times before being submitted, this is important because it means the work is concise and should be well argued.

Last but not least remember to reference all of the quotes or articles fully and properly according to what ever reference source is required by your collage. 

Monday, 5 December 2011

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

 
Emotional  intelligence is primarily the ability to identify, assess and control your own emotions and identify or assess the emotions of others.Those who are emotionally intelligent usually are quite self-confident and understand their own emotions thoroughly. This is seen as one of the forms of intelligence within the theory of multiple intelligences..

People with emotional  intelligence might be characterised by their extroverted nature and by their sensitivity or awareness of the mood or emotions of those in their presence Which is a major trait for anyone to posses, but can be very effective tool to have particularly for those working in the social care setting , helping them to interact at high personal level the with people around them.

An ability to tactfully gauge another’s sensitivities is a highly valuable skill in public life, particularly suited to those who perhaps wish to be social workers or teachers. Emotional intelligence is often a trait possessed by leaders, who may inspire and guide people because it allows a strong or influential communicative ability.

These aspects of emotional intelligence are highly desirable within academic study because an emotionally intelligent person would often be concise, confident and present well structured arguments. Vital awareness when it comes to meeting people, public speaking, debates, essays or presentations, which may seem daunting but the confidence that arises from emotional intelligence will help profoundly in such cases.

EFFECTIVE NOTE-TAKING.

Note taking, is a key aspect of academic research and study. this is because it helps to
refine opinions when working on essays for instance.
 However  more importantly, effective note taking is a tremendous way in which to learn independent of being taught. The taking of notes is an effective way to concentrate the mind and reinforce what it is we are learning.

Although effective note taking is a highly personalised academic skill it is highly rewarding. For example, some students may rather write the majority of a lecture word for word., in my opinion a non-effective method because you are spending to much time trying to write and not enough time listening.

Another form of taking notes, similar in a way to a journalist, by only writing either every second or third word, or by only writing buzzwords, this form is slightly more effective but in my opinion not helpful in an academic sense.

The third option, which is a form of note taking that is the opposite of taking down every word is where the student writes only single words, to correspond with certain aspects or ideas of a lecture. This I would claim proves most effective when, at a later date, the notes are used for revision or an essay. The fractured notes create an impressionistic overview of the topic, dividing it from the original source.

This in turn, in the academic sense, when working on an essay, forces the writer to fully to investigate the subject.
This is why effective note taking is important, as it helps during revision to fully articulate ones own opinions.
Note taking, is a key aspect of academic research and study. .

CRITICAL THINKING AND READING.

Critical thinking in my opinion is perhaps the most important academic skill, especially with regard to the social sciences. This is because critical thinking allows one to fully dissect and appreciate a particular argument, lecture, idea or essay.  Dissecting the topic in such a way as to form a fully reasoned, logical and balanced opinion, after evaluating all aspects of the argument.
Critical thinking has always been at the forefront of human development, particularly in the areas of philosophy, psychology, politics and religion.

The great minds of any generation, whether it be: Plato, Marx, Freud et al, have all found their truths and ideas as a result of critical thinking and reading of with critical thinking we learn. contemporary and classics works.  Leading us to conclude things for ourselves after all evidence is given, as apposed to taking thing on face value..

Critical thinking and reading are not solely the property of the social sciences, however it forms the basis of experimental physics, chemistry and biology. Where a scientist compiles evidence and conducts countless experiments, the information subsequently gained is then scrupulously analysed. 

This is why I am, of the mind that critical thinking is a vital trait, as without critique, we as race would be simply subservient, accepting all at face value. It is critical thinking and reading that we learn.