Help!! Pretty PLEASE!

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Betty Boop

I'll have a mooch around later, does your university have a little branch of academic 'skills' tutors that you can approach for a one to one with. We can make an appointment and show up with one of our efforts and they will go through it with us.
A lot of it is knowing what your tutor wants as well, they all have their own individual criteria for a 'good' essay.
Are you ok with the referencing procedures too?

Oh yes! Got the Harvard down pat! But what really puzzles me, is if you listen to what the module lecturer wants, then you usually fail! Because they are not the ones who end up marking the dang thing! I got two close calls last semester because I did what the module leaders wanted! It's well confusing!

[AussiePam]

I always found that it is useful to use your opening paragraph to define the question. Make sure you really do understand what is being asked.

It is also a good idea to know roughly what you're intending to end up with, in advance.. This stops the kind of vague woofly essay which meanders on not quite knowing where it's going till it sort of bogs down somewhere.

Writing a brief summary in bare bones point form first can be very helpful. This clarifies your thinking and as you go about your daily other business your subconscious can be ticking over your points - fleshing them out.

Kids in Australia have just finished their final high school exams. There was a loud outcry this year in certain subjects. Students apparently learn stock essays by rote and this year the Board of Studies had hit them with left fielders where they actually had to think for themselves. A good essay writer should LOVE left field opportunities. You can be original and creative.

BUT academic essays are about logically reaching a reasonable conclusion, defending your answer with rigour. If you don't quote directly, put your sources in the footnotes.

Apart from that, keep it brief, to the point and above all simple. Start... argue... and when you've said what you set out to say.. stop.

Knowing who's marking the papers, and the general philosophical direction of the lecturers, tutors, department also helps. As in all good writing - know your target audience.

[G-man]

I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier to help you out again with writing R!
If you still need help just let me know... My gf is also amazing with medical essays in particular... she's definitely mastered the art of kick ass essays
(pretty much anything that involves kicking ass, in fact).

I'll be around later tonight if you still need help.

[Raven]

Thanks you guys! I will PM you with specific questions. Because I really want these last 4 to be good. I get offered to be put on the higher degree w/honours if my average is above 55%. Any volunteers to scrutinise drafts for me? Doesnt matter if you dont understand what I write about, but it helps.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by Raven

Thanks you guys! I will PM you with specific questions. Because I really want these last 4 to be good. I get offered to be put on the higher degree w/honours if my average is above 55%. Any volunteers to scrutinise drafts for me? Doesnt matter if you dont understand what I write about, but it helps.

If you want a read-through and critique of any draft then send a copy and I'll do my best.

[K.Snyder]

Originally Posted by minks

you know all that fancy stuff

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