BobJens
New member
After two and a half years at university, I still find myself grappling with the fundamentals of crafting a strong essay. The guidance I've received has often been contradictory: I was instructed to avoid the first person entirely, only to be told it was preferred in another module. My writing style, which earned high marks last year, was suddenly criticized in the same subject for being "too journalistic," all within a single semester and without any conscious change on my part.
I've proactively sought help, messaging tutors for advice and diligently incorporating their feedback, only to be marked down for not answering the question directly. I've attended my university's writing centre lectures and pored over their guidebooks, implementing their recommended strategies—like crafting clear thesis statements and using linking sentences—just to have those very techniques highlighted as shortcomings in my submissions.
Despite having written nearly a dozen essays, I still can't confidently distinguish a decent draft from a mediocre one. The entire process has become incredibly frustrating and demotivating; it feels like I'm assembling a puzzle without a clear picture, only to be told the final product isn't right.
I would be very grateful to hear from others about their personal essay-writing processes. How do you ensure you're on the right track? Are there any particular resources or strategies you've found indispensable?
I've proactively sought help, messaging tutors for advice and diligently incorporating their feedback, only to be marked down for not answering the question directly. I've attended my university's writing centre lectures and pored over their guidebooks, implementing their recommended strategies—like crafting clear thesis statements and using linking sentences—just to have those very techniques highlighted as shortcomings in my submissions.
Despite having written nearly a dozen essays, I still can't confidently distinguish a decent draft from a mediocre one. The entire process has become incredibly frustrating and demotivating; it feels like I'm assembling a puzzle without a clear picture, only to be told the final product isn't right.
I would be very grateful to hear from others about their personal essay-writing processes. How do you ensure you're on the right track? Are there any particular resources or strategies you've found indispensable?