ESSAY
It is of the utmost importance when writing an essay to check the first version of the essay. When writing a draft, your main task is to develop an argument, polish your main thoughts and arrange them in a strict sequence, accompanying them with illustrative materials or supporting data, etc. After writing your first draft, let it sit for a day or two, promise yourself an activity for each day: “I edit my essay,” and then go back to work on revising and improving, with a great mood.
When checking, first of all, pay attention to the strength of your argument. Does the essay you’ve written match your intentions in terms of work structure and analysis? Is it coherent and persuasive? Is enough data used? relevant data? used effectively? etc.
Then (last step) check for style (check spelling, punctuation, etc.) and coherence (content) (by headings and subheadings, format, etc.)
WHAT DO THE EXAMINERS EXPECT FROM YOU?
You apparently want to get good grades for the assignments you complete. At the same time, the writing experience you gain (develop) while preparing essays and other assignments in your master’s course will be of great value to you after you complete it, no matter which of your professional fields you find yourself in. Grades, being the instructor’s feedback to the student, are needed on the one hand to encourage intellectual activity that finds expression in written work as a means of communication, and on the other hand, grades discourage “bad” intellectual work by the student.
SO, WHAT DO EXAMINERS GIVE GOOD GRADES FOR?
For the ability to construct and prove your position on certain problems based on the knowledge you have acquired.
[Remember that in the subjects we deal with, there are no absolutely “right” or “wrong” answers to questions, as there are in physics or mathematics – there are only more or less reasoned points of view. Remember also that you don’t get grades simply for agreeing with your lecturers’ point of view – the examiners expect you to think for yourself, i.e., what you think about it].
When advancing your own position, your focus is on your ability (ability) to critically and independently evaluate a range of data and viewpoints/arguments from others; your ability to understand, evaluate, and connect the key points of any problems and issues; your ability to differentiate (what is more and what is less important); understand analytical approaches and models; differentiate opposing approaches and models and their application to empirical material, discussions of principled issues, and the conduct of development po
Need to write briefly, clearly, and concisely. (Making the most of the limited length.)
- WHAT DON’T THE EXAMINERS LIKE? (WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID)
- the fact that you can’t answer the question.
- Poor organization of your answer.
- Failing to stick to your answer to the main question.
- Using rhetoric (assertion) instead of argumentation (proof).
- Careless handling of data, including overgeneralization.
- Too extensive descriptive part, not supported by analytical material.
- Presenting other viewpoints without stating your own position.
- Repetition is unnecessary.
