Essays,how dou you handle it

slummymummyof3

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Now I don't agree with doing references that way - I think it breaks the flow.

Referencing takes ages to do and you can be lulled into thinking 'Ah, only the referencing left to do' Never underestimate how long it will take - it can take a couple of hours!!!!

Oldernotwiser

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

Referencing takes ages to do and you can be lulled into thinking 'Ah, only the referencing left to do' Never underestimate how long it will take - it can take a couple of hours!!!!

But it doesn't take any more time if you do it at the end and it's easy to lose the thread of your argument and the flow of language if you have to keep stopping as you go along.

Different things work for different people.

juno

I do my in text references as I go along, and then write my reference list at the end. so I'd write:

People on benefits are all scroungers (Daily Mail, 2010).

And then sort the long reference later - it's easy to either skim read and see the references, or do a find thing on Word for brackets as I only use them in referencing.

Mankysteve

In my case i don't handle essays very well. while I can write a decent enough one I'm far too lazy.

I use a referencing software it helps alot. I'm currently using zotero which is Firefox plug in help lots.

WolfSong2000

I usually put 3 headings - intro, main body and then conclusion, then put down bullet points of the things I reckon I will want to cover below those headings. I'll then re-arrange the bullet points if necessary to improve the structure and lastly I will expand on the bullet points. Then leave it alone for a few hours/days before going back to it to check it makes sense .

glampam

Get the books "The Student Nurse Handbook" by Bethann Siviter, it has a plan on how to tackle nursing essays and lots of hints. I wish I'd had it in my first year. Good luck with your assignment.

Renya

Plan, plan and plan some more, I write out bullet points of each paragraph and the points I'm going to make in each of them.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, a lot of colleges and unis have places you can go to get some help or feedback.

ThinkingOfLinking

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

Do your Harvard referencing as you go along as it is far more time consuming than you imagine (and make sure you refer to your student handbook to ensure you are doing it correctly!!)

You might find it easier to give yourself sub-headings as little pointers which you can remove later.

Ensure you refer back to the marking criteria so that you ensure you are covering everything. Most importantly - PROOF READ to pick up any errors (do not rely on spell checker etc on computer)

Do not make sweeping statements - you must back thing up with evidence! Make sure you have at least 6-8 references.

Exactly this. BTW I am 25 and in the middle of doing my first ever essay too so I know what you're feeling.

ali-t

I colour code everything which might sound like a time wasting strategy but honestly its not. I sort all of my reading into themes and colour code each theme e.g. patient care, hygiene, medical treatments, diagnosis etc and go through my reading marking in the margin in each colour the theme.

This means I write each section as a mini chapter so set myself smaller targets than 6000 words as each section might only be 300. If I get bored or stuck I can start another section and then I join them all up at the end. I then score out each bit of text as it is used and the essay is done in no time.

It is a strategy that might not work for everyone but I am now writing a 15000 word dissertation for an MSc and it hasn't failed me yet!

Good luck

ThinkingOfLinking

ali-t wrote: »

I colour code everything which might sound like a time wasting strategy but honestly its not. I sort all of my reading into themes and colour code each theme e.g. patient care, hygiene, medical treatments, diagnosis etc and go through my reading marking in the margin in each colour the theme.

This means I write each section as a mini chapter so set myself smaller targets than 6000 words as each section might only be 300. If I get bored or stuck I can start another section and then I join them all up at the end. I then score out each bit of text as it is used and the essay is done in no time.

It is a strategy that might not work for everyone but I am now writing a 15000 word dissertation for an MSc and it hasn't failed me yet!

Good luck

Again, I do this too.