EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN CRITICAL THINKING AND ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING SKILLS

Abstract

Abstract: This present study aimed to examine the link between critical thinking and argumentative writing skills. This research dealt with quantitative design in the form of correlation and independent sample t-test. This research was conducted in the 4^th English Department students at University of Islam Malang with 30 English students participated. The data were obtained by applying two instruments: Thinking Skill Assessment Oxford 2014 (focused on assessing problem skill and critical thinking skill including the ability of students to comprehend an issue) and argumentative writing test. Based on the result of this study, it showed a contrary result that stated there was no link between critical thinking and argumentative writing skills with the p-value calculated by Pearson Product Moment Correlation was (.065 > 0.05) and the correlation coefficient was .341. Another result showed that there was no significant difference between critical-thinkers and non-critical thinkers on argumentative writing skill with the p-value calculated by Independent Sample T-Test was (.067 > 0.05). Those results might be caused by various factors such as the lack of critical thinking skill, improper teaching design especially in critical thinking, the difficulty level of the critical thinking skill questionnaires, and the carelessness of the participant in doing the test of critical thinking.

 

Kata kunci: Critical Thinking Skill, Writing Skill, Argumentative Writing