ACADEMIC WRITING AS A MEANS OF DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING

Abstract

In the modern higher education system, the development of students’ critical thinking is one of the key objectives of the learning process. Critical thinking contributes to the formation of the ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make reasoned decisions, which are essential skills for professional activity and social interaction in the context of the information society. One of the most effective means of developing these competencies is academic writing, which involves systematic work with texts, logical structuring of ideas, and the argumentation of positions. Academic writing not only develops the skills of formulating ideas but also stimulates students’ analytical and reflective thinking. The process of creating a scientific text requires students to adopt a critical approach to information sources, assess the reliability of data, and construct their own arguments based on evidence. Thus, learning academic writing is not limited to mastering the technical aspects of writing; it serves as an integrative tool for developing cognitive and communicative competencies, which are fundamental for academic and professional success. Considering the above, the study of the relationship between academic writing and the development of students’ critical thinking becomes particularly relevant, as it allows for the identification of effective teaching methods and the creation of conditions for the comprehensive development of young people’s intellectual potential.