Critical Discussion Sentence Starters

A much-debated question is whether…Debate continues regarding the best approach to…To date there has been little agreement on…how best to measure…the definition of…the role of…The issue of X has been a controversial and a much-disputed subject… More recently, literature has emerged that offers contradictory findings about...In the literature on X, the relative importance of Y has been subject to considerable discussion.

The research to date has tended to focus on … rather than …Although extensive research has been carried out on …, no single study exists which ...The experimental data are rather controversial, and there is no general agreement about ... Although there are many reports in the literature on the outcome of X, most are restricted to ... Some evidence suggests that ... although further work using … is required to confirm this finding.

Point:

• Clearly articulate the main argument or topic of the paragraph.
• This will establish the focus and direction of your discussion.

Evidence:

• Provide robust evidence to support your point, evidence can include data, research findings, or quotations from credible sources.
• This will enhance the credibility of your argument.

Explanation

• Analyse and interpret the evidence presented, elucidating its significance and relevance to the point.
• This will demonstrate the depth of your understanding.

Link

• Conclude the paragraph by connecting back to the overarching thesis or by transitioning smoothly to the next point.
• This ensures coherence and continuity in your writing.