GEL-1.02: Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard English.
Critical Reflection Paper on Segmentation for Target Markets Differentiating from Target Audiences
The idea for critical reflection is to encourage you to dig a bit more on a single topic and give it that personal reflection.
People are often asked to write about a topic and then proceed to regurgitate from books or articles about the topic — but they do not really learn anything unless it actually relates to their own world.
For example, take the topic of cultural communications. While you could write books on the differences between cultures and how they communicate, it would mean more to you personally if you were to write about a situation in which you may need to communicate with someone who, due to their culture, gets very animated when they talk. This might come off to you as being loud and bossy. On the other hand, you might have a situation in which you communicate with someone who simply agrees with you because they don’t like to get into personal disagreements.
When working with people in the business promotions field, how might differences in cultural communications affect your interactions with these individuals? In light of the above examples, reflect on and provide your own examples of how your cultural communications will affect how you approach and interact with individuals from a different cultural perspective.
You must include a minimum of two reference sources: one source from within your readings and one source from outside the course to add value to your reflection. Include two double-spaced, APA-formatted written pages. Include a cover page (not counted in the 2 pages).
Kim Anderson has written “Guidelines for Critical Thinking and Writing: analysis-contexts-discussion-conclusions” that may help you organize your thoughts and writing. These six dimensions may be used for most thinking and writing.
Critical thinking is a lot more than merely following a format for constructing a paper. In addition, you must “challenge assumptions,” and observe “different perspectives,” to name a couple of biggies. It is still all a matter of what and how — the important, elusive dimensions rooted in values and abilities.
The following six parts may be viewed as a rough outline for a research paper. They also constitute the six dimensions that must find expression in any substantial, critical development of analysis and opinion. Not just for research papers — these six dimensions of critical thinking and writing should also be applied when writing a shorter review or contemplative essay.
Shorter texts also need structure, progression, and focus, all of which the six dimensions will assist in establishing. I encourage you to apply these dimensions to any writing assignments, whether a grand research paper, a review, or an essay.
Your work with the material (a novel, a scholarly text, a philosophical treatise, a poem, a film, a saga, or an idea — or two or more of the above) is at the very heart of learning, and will, when pursued conscientiously, transform itself from lesser to greater confidence and ability.
It is therefore important that from the outset, with every writing assignment, you consider the implementation of each of these dimensions of critical thinking. Then, with every assignment, you will familiarize yourself with their dynamic, strengthen your communicative abilities, and make your contribution to critical thinking and writing.
I. Identify the basics of the topic
This is the introduction to your paper. Present the importance of the issue, outline context and potential ramifications. End your introduction with a paragraph providing an overview of the following paper.
II. Analyze the material
Analysis may be employed in different ways using different methods. Define your concepts and discuss your method. Analysis is about examination and synthesis: investigating components, identifying their qualities, strengths, and weaknesses, and connecting those in a coherent manner, demonstrating their relevance and importance for the whole. Always question content and relevance!
III. Address different perspectives
Consider different viewpoints on the material. Never assume a certain perspective to be self-evident and obvious. Different analytical perspectives may reveal different ideas and understandings of the same event or idea. This analytical dimension requires examination and critique of scholarly opinions on your material.
IV. Examine contexts
Identify and assess assumptions and ideological perspectives to be found in historical and social contexts. Interpretation is also conditioned by your own assumptions, cultural, and ideological bias. Analysis and interpretation is ultimately about disclosing and examining such contextually determined points of view.
V. Identify own position
Your own opinion on the material in opposition to those of other sources, may be presented in a particular section, for instance after your objective analysis of the material and your discussion of different perspectives. You may also choose to inject your voice as a discussant throughout your paper. This is most effectively done in an objectifying manner without continuous use of the pronouns “I” and “my.”
VI. Conclusion
Consider the importance of your findings and their implications. Tie all strings together in an overview. Emphasize the qualities and importance of your investigation, and briefly outline directions for further study.
Andersen, K. (n.d.). Some guidelines for critical thinking and writing: Analysis-contexts-discussion-conclusion. Retrieved from http://public.wsu.edu/~kimander/criticalthinking.htm
