Taking a position/ Marking an Argument
Critically think about what you are saying or discussing in your essay or academic writing, in terms of three key questions:
 
1)               How relevant is this to the overall debate I am engaging in? (Is there more relevant information available that would help me make my argument/answer my question more effectively? Also, is this the most valid or rigorously produced knowledge or information on this topic (what is its academic value)?)
2)               How does this help me answer or work through the essay/research question for this task?
3)               How does this help me make my argument?
 
In other words, these are the questions you should be asking yourself when you are critically reading and writing your essay or doing your academic work.