Smart Thinking — Skills for Critical Understanding and Writing

Smart Thinking: Skills for Critical Understanding and Writing 2e is a practical, step-by-step guide to improving skills in analysis, critical thinking, and the effective communication of arguments and explanations. The book combines an accessible and straightforward style, with a strong foundation of knowledge. The text treats reasoning as an aspect of communication, not an abstract exercise in logic. The book not only provides detailed advice on how to practice better analytical skills, but also demonstrates how these skills can be used in research and writing. In particular, it emphases how to develop arguments that are coherent and that take account of their audience and context.

Matthew Allen is Professor of Internet Studies. He joined Curtin University of Technology in 1994, working in the then-School of Social Sciences and Asian Languages. In 1999 Matthew established the Internet Studies program and is now the foundation Head of the Department of Internet Studies and the university's first Professor of Internet Studies. He has also served as Associate Dean Teaching and Learning for the Division of Humanities (2003-2005). Matthew has been President of the Association of Internet Researchers (2005-2007), was awarded an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Fellowship in 2008 and was also awarded an Australian Award for University Teaching in 2000. He is currently Chairman of the Library Board of Western Australia, having served on the Board since 2003.