Critical Thinking Pattern in Argumentation: A Study on EFL Higher Education Students in Indonesia

Abstract

Writing argumentatively is a significant aspect in acquiring knowledge and developing English language skills. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the pattern of critical thinking evident in English argumentative writing of private university students in Makassar, Indonesia. Data were specifically sourced from argumentative essays composed by fourth semester students during the academic year 2022–2023. A qualitative method incorporating content analysis was adopted to obtain an extensive elucidation and examination of the pattern observed in argumentative essays. The pattern was subsequently analyzed to generate an ideal framework for constructing persuasive arguments. The results showed that students who were part of the instructional treatment group outperformed the control group in terms of critical thinking skill as well as the skill to identify and evaluate elements of reasoning. Moreover, the treatment group showed superior writing skills and stronger organization and coherence. The integration of technology resources, such as YouTube, also had the potential to foster critical thinking skills.