English Lit Degree marks

horrorhag

This question is addressed to students studying a BA English Literature degree at the moment.

My average grades are usually 68's but never firsts. my tutor has said that i am capible of a first but im always a few marks off. even when i go through it 10 times with three different people i just never seem to get any higher. does anyone else have this problem?

alwaysonthego_2

Have you asked your tutor what you need to do to bring your mark up?

The_One_Who

The difference between a 2:1 and a first isn't just a matter of a single mark. It's a big jump. You'll need to speak to your tutors to see what it is you're not doing to get the firsts. Firsts will need independent thought, good critical thought and a well-reasoned argument.

Oldernotwiser

I was a good 2:1 Literature student (many years ago when a 2:1 meant something!) and if I read essays that had been awarded a First I had to admit that they were on a different level from my own work. As TWS says, it's not a question of adding on a couple of extra marks but of moving your work up to a different level entirely.

whitfreak

If there is anyone you know getting firsts on essays, see if they will lend them to you for a quick read. Your library/department may have disitations availible but they are a slightly different kettle of fish to standard essays.

See if you can get more specific feedback from your tutor/marker. Double check the mark scheme for silly things like the approved method of referencing/formatting. (Not that that always helps I kept on being told to do it one way then being told to do what I did orgininally. The wonders of physics.)

And keep at it.

Mrs_Money

I would second The OneWho and OlderNot Wiser - I was a "good" 2:1 Eng Lit student and people who achieved Firsts were definitely on another plane! A first needs original ideas, critical, analytical thinking, well thought out argument and WIDE, WIDE, WIDE reading - to bring varying aspects to your work. Good Luck with it!

And I should also add - I had 3 small children and a part-time job at the time - so perhaps that didn't help with my aspirations for a First!!!!

Mike1989

I do agree with those who have said that generally when you read a 2:1 piece of work and then a 1st there is a difference. Not sure if your module forms have this but see if you can find what the breakdown of the marks is on a marking grid. The old forms we used had the criteria that you need to attain to gain a 1st, 2:1 and so on. That might help.

Another possibility is speaking to your tutor and see were they can help you move up a grade. After all, you are paying them 3k or there abouts to teach you, might as well use them

Only other possibility is to see if your university has something that helps students. We have one called wiser which if you go there they will go through essays, presentations etc with you. You can practise doing presentations in front of them and they will give you feedback. Basically its an institution within the university, so maybe see if your uni has such a thing. Were you can go and get advice on work, help you etc.

horrorhag

I have read my friend's first which was badly referenced (ALL my tutors say my referencing is better than theirs), and in my opinion did not deserve a first. As for wider reading, i am also known among the faculty for my high standards and original ideas. the comments my tutors make never have anything negative to say so it hard to understand where i am going wrong.

I guess the thing that gets me most is that i showed up to every class and did lots of work whereas my friend attended two classes and got a first. i just feel like throwing in the towel. i could have stayed at home rather than gone to my classes.

aurora_borealis_2

I got a 1st in Eng Lit :cool: and take on 2/3 MSc students (different subject) to supervise per year. They also tend to gain distinctions.

The main things that determine a 1st is the level of critical awareness and the presentation of a logical, well reasoned, well structured argument.

horrorhag

the thing is, my tutor has many times said i was capible of a first but for some reason i am always a few marks off. i just dont understand what else i should be doing when i do everything they ask. i even see a writing expert every week.

surfsister

which year are you in as I'm in the first year and have heard that tutors don't like giving too many 1sts in the first year as they can't be seen to have improved by the 3rd year.

I know someone who got a top first with a bar or star or whatever they call it and nearly didn't get it as he started at the same level so didn't have any value added for the uni.

Don't despair keep trying!