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Abstract Abstract: This article proposes a framework for evaluating critical thinking in the literature review chapters of master’s theses in English. The framework was designed based on theories of critical thinking and students’ written drafts. It is composed of an analytical tool and a set of evaluation criteria. The article firstly explains the design and use of the framework, elaborates on the evaluation criteria of critical thinking, i.e. relevance to the main arguments, rationality of argumentation, depth and width of evaluative arguments, clarity of the main arguments and the completeness of argumentative structure. Based on the findings of analysing 15 drafts written by Chinese master’s students studying in China and the UK, it then discusses the applicability of this framework. The framework can be applied to both teaching and research of critical thinking in academic writing.
Key words: critical thinking; literature review; academic writing; evaluation criteria
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