AwkwardFetus
6029
23236
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Happy writing!
kingxzenith
How to write an essay.
ChrispyBacon
My college prof. said the best thing to do was to just write everything we know about the topic. It was called the Shitty First Draft.(1/2)
ChrispyBacon
Honestly, it was the best way I had ever encountered writing a paper, and it was so much easier to go back and revise later on. (2/2)
SuperCayce
That idea horrifies me, but I rewrite entire paragraphs several times. The way I write would probably horrify most people.
ChrispyBacon
It's really a way to get rid of the 5 paragraph essay and have more freedom writing.What was hard was deleting lines I liked but didn't need
RADICALFREEDOM
Great for middle school. Horrible for writing papers in the real world.
mistlefoot
How to write an essay: Tell them what your gonna tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them.
Avlonnic
Classic Toastmasters.
canibFrank
This is a helpful guideline. Also works for presentations.
jumblesalejones
Yep
citaria
This advice was given to me by my Dad. Are you my Dad?
TielKiri
I heard this once almost verbatim, but with "said"s instead of "tell"s. My dad thought I'd plagiarized it it was so good (apparently).
gstephens11
*You're. I'm not a fan of being that guy, but I can't help myself on an essay post.
mistlefoot
You can be that guy. I upvoted you for it. And yes, I know the difference....
gstephens11
Back atchya mistlefoot
IFoundOutICanChangeMyUsernameSoNowYoullNeverKnowWhoIWas
I generally find easybib better than citationmachine but maybe that's just me
Daintylu
As someone who struggled with essay anxiety, I think this is a great way to get comfortable with the writing process!
ularg
"You now have a rough draft" Oh, I'm not done? God damnit.
itsrainingtusks
As someone who has written so so many essays, good advice on writing the intro last, but writing an essay before you have a thesis is dumb.
IHearSheDoesCarCommercialsInJapan
A thesis statement should seek to concisely describe the main conclusion. This is hard to do until the research (and some writing!) is done.
PhilTheKhajiit
Without a thesis you're basically making a fancy list of points that pertain to, hopefully, a single topic.
chargeling
I always write the intro first, basically as an instruction to myself. I heavily rewrite it afterwards. (This works better with abstracts…)
canibFrank
Write an outline first. ALWAYS. So much easier to organize your thoughts and turn them into a cohesive paper following an outline. Outline.
muinmuin
Yes! Outline!
LoydeReed
for highschoolers maybe. this shit does not fly in post-secondary. source: i took at least 3 english courses during my undergrad
SlagathorDeb
<-- HS English teacher. Do NOT start your thesis with "In this essay, I argue that..." NEVER SAY "I'm going to tell you about..." Never.
IHearSheDoesCarCommercialsInJapan
In many graduate-level disciplines, the opposite is preferred. Had to train myself to do it this way.
SlagathorDeb
This post sounds like it's for a Junior High/High School level of "standardized" writing. I hope it's not tips for graduate-level writing.
badgerpride
I never wrote my intro first. It's a burger. You gotta cook the meat before toasting the buns
karsar
Word's APA template is perfect if you need APA format.
IHearSheDoesCarCommercialsInJapan
Only if you put in every ounce of necessary information, in the right format, for the right source type, with titles in sentence case.
Lieden
Now do one for a 5000-6000 word Dissertation that you forgot about till a few days before, please. PLEASE.
cakepunching
A dissertation only has to be 5k words? I was terrified (undergrad student) of what I was going to have to tackle
Lieden
It's only 5000-6000 for me because i've had one semester to write it and also am doing pre-production for my animation
kiwikidweetbixkid
My dissertation was 15000 words, would have had to be 20000 if I had written it in English
jumblesalejones
This will stop you totally fucking it up, but isn't going to get you top marks
elizabethhher
what essay allows one to write in first person? in my class, all of our essays have to be in third person, even our argumentation essay..
Rystefn
Yeah, that's pretentious codswallow.
MandatoryBiscuitDivision
started in scientific papers where the observer was not important to what was observed. debunked. See the quantum version of the dbl slit
BitLizard
I hate when teachers put in the stupid "don't use I" rule.
usetheforce123
This is so wrong. Write a thesis, or even a basic idea of a thesis down, then map out relating topics with quotes and refs to support 1/2
usetheforce123
This helps you develop a better, more intuitive argument.
sadwrinkles
i like the milkshake part
SauceBot
Essays are generally scholarly pieces of writing giving the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of an
SauceBot
article, a pamphlet and a short story.
DarkUranium
You forgot one, in the case of book interpretations: writing down what the author thinks is his teacher's opinion, as his own.
captjons
Another lecturer here. My tips: write you conclusion, then move it to the start and use it as your intro. Always include an outline... 1/2
captjons
structure of the essay in the intro. Give the reader a map of where the essay goes, and put signposts periodically in the main body
SnackMasterRanger
great advice for highschool. I got one of the highest scores on a state test. I wrote about selling drugs.
LavChaos
My thesis statement for my highest scoring essay was "Communism would work if people were not such selfish bastards".
SnackMasterRanger
lol mine was something along the lines of "school security cameras would only hinder students, since they couldn't buy they're drugs from me
LavChaos
How'd that go over? I would have had an A+ if they didn't subtract marks for each curse word
SnackMasterRanger
no swearing. I simply played by school rules. got my message across. ya feel? if they wanted to take drug dogs to my locker they could have.
SnackMasterRanger
cuz I did bad shit in highschool man.
HowTheWhat
What? After all this I just have a rough draft?.
hatershadesfordays
If you want an A yes, but if you want if you want a c you can always just turn the draft in. I've done that like a hundred times.
comboverqtpie
Id hate to have your GPA
Ike69
Agreed. If I've learned anything, is that great writer never writes. They re-write.
MonkeyOnATypewriter
I usually spend a long time writing my papers, my drafts are usually better than most peoples (comparing my from classmates) final copies.
switters810
The microsoft citation manager is literally perfect (Switters810, 2016).
T0X1E
Endnote is also quite good for citations. Export citation from any source, insert via word & choose any style.
asharkwithfeet
Endnote is the baseline standard, Zotero is the free alternate. MS citation is virtually useless if you're formatting for journals.
AquaLeaderArchie
I used it in my college papers, had to change maybe one or two things and it was perfect
secondbest
If I find a paper filled with quotes, you're going to have a bad time.
BitLizard
Glad you're not my teacher then.
siriuslypadfoot
In my university career, quotations are a must because let's face it, profs do not want your opinion they want you to gather other's
TehKMatt
My college professors encouraged three or fewer direct quotes, but paraphrasing was ok circumstantially
drlazercatz
But what if I use footnotes, and then put them in the middle of the page the way the Bible does?
SaltyJake
What do you expect when your Prof. requires 10 sources with a minimum of 3 quotes or references each in a 5 page APA paper?
Epicfailgaisensei
But it's supposed to be "totally cool" though!
Doomsday321
You know you've been playing too much undertale when you hear "you're gonna have a bad time" instead of the meme.
EverybodyWantsToBeAnAustronaut
I was pretty sure that is the meme.
Doomsday321
Nah, before undertale, "you're gonna have a bad time" was from south park with the ski instructor
clem00
You know Undertale has gone too far as a meme when this happens.
Earlkay
This is something that drastically differs subject by subject
secondbest
I'd imagine so. Academic writing in the social sciences uses quotes very sparingly. Obviously, they do paraphrase with proper attribution.
SuperCayce
What if I found, like, two or three times the number of sources I was supposed to have? Hypothetically, of course.
secondbest
I would want you to paraphrase the argument of the author with proper reference to the author. Hypothetically, of course.
SuperCayce
I can do that. Thank you! Ya know, hypothetically...
PrincessNausicaa
As someone who marks essays, explain why the quote supports your argument (or why it's wrong). Don't assume your reader will work it out.
justmandythings
agreed (am english teacher). i use PIE format for paragraphs. point, illustration (quote), explanation.
PrincessNausicaa
Yes! And the illustration doesn't always have to be a quote - that sometimes loses them!
dasgreasypaws
My English professor gave us a formula for using quotes: Quote + explanation + analysis and application to personal paper. Works every time.
Croso
As a person who understands American English and context, that's exactly what he's saying.
keyserv
Yes, that's why this is the last thing mentioned in the section regarding quotes.
BitLizard
I always thought that was obvious
PrincessNausicaa
I've taught everything from school-aged kids to masters students and it's shocking how many people forget to do this!
EmmyCD
I wish my students would remember to do this!
yampa
You also have to abide by several rules whether APA or MLA. Learn the essentials, and move to helpers such as Purdue Owl.
scarywaffles97
Always introduce and explain your quote.
yampa
This is general knowledge you learn in the first two composition classes in college. I learned by trial and error the points made in the OP.
PrincessNausicaa
I've taught everything from school-aged kids to masters students and it's shocking how many people forget to do this!
[deleted]
[deleted]
mrpopos10
Simple people need formulas like this - helps to cut down on active thinking
secondbest
Great ideas always benefit from clarity. Only flimsy scholarship needs to obfuscate.
Earlkay
I've always been told to write essays as though the person reading them knows nothing. So far it's gone incredibly well.
TheLadyNym
Yeah, fuck clarity, if it makes sense to me, who knows this paper best, everyone else should just "get" it, right?
PrincessNausicaa
The most frustrating thing about marking is when you are sure that the student knows what they are talking about but you can't award the 1/
PrincessNausicaa
marks because they haven't shown they know what they are talking about. As their work develops, a student should be able to reason 2/
PrincessNausicaa
through what's in their heads instead of just stating something as fact which they haven't proved (and if it's so obvious it doesn't 3/
PrincessNausicaa
need proof it has no place in your essay!) 4/4
slagath0r
This is helpful thanks!
PrincessNausicaa
You're welcome.
tiomela
I've been using this method for my students: Point (What are you trying to say with the quote) Evidence (Quote goes here) Explain (1/2)
tiomela
2/2 THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!! Explain is the "so what?" Why should I care? Explain why your quote proves your point.
Embizzle
Also, your thesis is stronger without I statements. Don't say, "I argue that x equals y because..." Just state it: "X equals y because..."
gstephens11
Depends. In certain fields, you can say 'I' (pretty much only in the thesis and conclusion). Just don't over involve yourself (1/2)
gstephens11
by making statements like "that's why I think that..." or "I believe...". Stating "In this work, I argue for the validity of..." is fine
cousteau
I? Who is I? Who is we? Essays should be written in impersonal form.
Nietsallinav
I disagree, if they want you to write it like a Wikipedia page, they shouldn't bother. The writer should be a part of their papers.
tiomela
I tell my students the reason we don't say "I" in papers, is because it is redundant. I know it's you - that's why you put quotation marks
stillsearchingformycostello
Really depends on the level and the class. In philosophy papers, "I" is often encouraged. In English papers, not so much.
yampa
So many rules, right?
yampa
Excellent advice.
DarkUranium
For thesis...es? ... thesodeii, the former's not even allowed around here. The best you can do is "we", if you really must have that.
thatunluckyguy
Depends on the topic, in some cases I've found that using the "In this paper, I argue..." method is the most effective
Taikwin
I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say, but if it helps - the plural of thesis is theses.
DarkUranium
Not anymore it isn't!
Fulliron
Martin Luther begs to differ
gstephens11
Yep, at least two sentences of how the quote supports your thesis, along with an explanation of the author and context it comes from
thisisbananais
thank you. this is key. We want u to show us what you know.. its not about us figuring out your point
Snozles
To help me in the year to come (dot)
F0rger
This is terrible advice unless you're in 9th grade. These essays will be formulaic and uninspiring while technically meeting the criteria.
QuietScreaming
As an English teacher, I'm happy if students can write a basic essay like this. "Inspiring" is usually out of the question in HS writing.
helpidontknowmyname
7th and 8th graders need to learn basic formula. They don't know where to begin. This approach would work for beginners.
BitLizard
This would be acceptable for some college English classes. Not just grade school.
CatSiddhartha
The advice is evidence, citations, intro, conclusion, and body paragraphs. That's bad? One would use this advice through a Ph.D.
Meloncov
(3) The rest seems fine to me.
Meloncov
The advice on conclusions is pretty elementary (a good conclusion should be more about synthesizing your arguments than repeating them) (1)
Meloncov
(2) "In this paper, I'll argue" is pretty awful, and turning the assignment directly into an outline is unlikely to work at higher levels.
OsakaHugger
Todays school system teaches quantity over quality; pass with a passing grade. Formulaic essays is the only way to finish all your essays.
BitLizard
This. Fuck everyone who's saying things like "this is only for X grade". People have to start somewhere.
TheRinzler
What do you mean "only for X grade" - Sincerely HS Senior
HatOnAShelf
He means people are saying that you can't use this method past
NotHarrison
I think all essays should follow this basic formula. This was only a rough draft, after all
MicheeKat
True!
MicheeKat
Even terrible for 9th grade. Credentials: I teach 9th grade English.
cjmurv
This is a good scaffold to build fundamentals, from which you can become more comfortable. You know what scaffolding is, as a teacher, yes?
MicheeKat
Yes, but as I teach honors students, my expectations are high than this. The use of fist person is a definite no-no
cjmurv
Oh fair enough! That elaboration makes sense. You can use first person, but only in limited styles (1/2)
cjmurv
(2/2) and that's just me being nitpicky in 140 characters aha
GMoneyy
Maybe if they are uninspiring enough they'll stop assigning them.
Sommelo
Well, there are tons of people who have trouble with even the basics. I'd say this is a decent starting point to expand from further.
fnordy
No offense, but if the student and teacher aren't inspiring each other, only one of those two need to worry about it.
F0rger
75% at best.
Blasphyx
Who the fuck cares, isn't the grade all that matters?
[deleted]
[deleted]
TheLadyNym
Well, that's because you're in 10th grade and don't have the perspective of more advanced writing yet.
BitLizard
Get off your fucking high horse and go fuck yourself. Jesus fucking Christ.
TheLadyNym
Haha thank you for your input. Not on a high horse, it's just the truth. At 15 you don't understand why this is bad advice.
eatmyass121
^
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
The vast majority of people who are writing essays are in 9th grade up through college. Shorthanding essays is a survival skill.
CthuluIsMyHomie
Or, instead of just learning the formula, you could learn to express yourself in writing; which is the only value in essays for most of us.
Cypheri
As someone who writes fiction as a hobby, essays are NOT a good way to express yourself in writing for many people. I couldn't stand them.
CthuluIsMyHomie
Didn't day I liked them, but it's a useful skill nonetheless (writing to convert information; not 5 paragraph essay formulae)!
Cypheri
I get that it's useful, but that doesn't mean that someone who prefers following the formula to pass can't express themselves in writing.
Earlkay
Just because something is formulaic doesn't mean it has to be dull just make sure every point has "idea, evidence, opinion" and you're gold.
thatkanjikid
My teacher would be livid if we started our thesis with "In this essay..."
gstephens11
Just don't say something like, "In this essay, I argue that socialism is wrong". You have to say why your argument is unique (1/2)
gstephens11
Like, "In this essay, I argue that socialist ideology is faulty based on a its assumption that economic virtue is based on ethics." (2/3)
gstephens11
This formula is clear, concise and offers a unique statement about your work. It makes the essay easier to analyze and critique academically
iam8bitPDX
You've only ever had one teacher your whole life? And will only ever have the one?
JoeBudget
Must be homeschool.
thatkanjikid
I was talking about my current English teacher :)
iam8bitPDX
An N=1 anecdote does not invalidate the advice. =)
Earlkay
I've actually been told by a number of lecturers that they prefer it. Having to read so many essays it's nicer if everything's obvious.
captlush
Yeah it's redundant. Find a way to not have to start the sentence that way. It's not hard.
TehKMatt
Or use personal pronouns
wizardboy24
It depends on the instructor. I had an upper level English professor who didn't care. She said that that rule is slowly changing.
TehKMatt
My major wasn't English and tended to rely on other perspectives more than not. I didn't mind too much as if been writing that way since HS
TehKMatt
I'd not if.
Corrodias
Make me.
GreenAnarchist
Or ever use a personal pronoun. GRRRRR.
wizardboy24
It definitely depends on the teacher. I had one who didn't care (and it was an upper level English class). She said the times are changing.
GreenAnarchist
It depends on what you're writing about. An essay is usually summarizing info. You writing it isn't significant, and not credible.
GreenAnarchist
Unless it's an opinion paper.
wizardboy24
A lot of my upper level papers are argumentative papers. You're arguing that character x did thing y based on evidence z.
GreenAnarchist
Even then, using personal pronouns should be used to a purpose, such as establishing credibility or recalling an anecdote.
GreenAnarchist
For example, saying "I examine these characters" is pointless, as it's the examination that matters, not you doing it.
IHugTrees
It's totally academically okay at the university level. Expected, in some subjects (law, humanities, etc.).
magamilk
I've never had a professor that did anything but grade down when an essay contained phrases like that
Atharaenea
Engineering too! All my research papers start that way, or something similar. We also use headings for Into, Question, Results, Conclusions
IHugTrees
Science papers are often written in that format. I wouldn't call a journal article an "essay" for that reason, so I didn't mention it :)
IHugTrees
Though science papers are written Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion/References format (close enough!)
RenamedUser
It's technically ok, but not exactly interesting. A moving essay needs reader interest. An informational essay needs clarity. Source: school
alreadyfamous
She would also be livid if you used the word livid
Statboy78
In my class, that phrase drops a letter grade. That'll learn 'em.
ImaSnow
Had a professor yell at me in front of class for doing that. Needless to say I'm about to graduate and it's never happened again.
Terminology
"How to write an essay: ages 16 and below", maybe.
OneFroToRuleThemAll
16? If I wrote an essay in this basic form in my class id get a D at best. Maybe 13. (im 16)
Earlkay
I've used the same format from GCSE to MA it's the content and language that changes not the form. Burger essay fo lyf
CatSiddhartha
Majority of high schoolers in the US cannot write in this basic form. This is a good start for anyone.
1250
Where do you live? Kids years younger can easily follow this.
GhoulsNightOut
Yeah I was taught this format in 6th grade I think.
CatSiddhartha
Younger students can absolutely understand this. And yet many high schoolers do not, or rather did not learn this.
StuartReid
Hey, it's a start for some/most/probably all.
MoreCowBellBaby
1/?Jesus H. Christ they give us no direction for our essays, we havent learned jack shit. In the past 5 years of dedicated english classes
MoreCowBellBaby
2/?I have been in, we havent learned anything since the damn second year. Thank god Im a competent speaker and can just convert that to
MoreCowBellBaby
3/? writing, otherwise I would be up damn shit creek. If you care to know what we have been doing 80% of the time in the mentioned 5 years
MoreCowBellBaby
4/? we have been "analyzing" "classic" books. I mean damn teach, and the end of the day, what in the hell does it matter why Mr. Author used
MoreCowBellBaby
5/? this particular description for the city? At the end of the day does it make a rats fuzzy ass? Hell no! Teach me how to write
DavidBrooker
How I write academic papers (from a Ph.D. candidate): Assuming you're at the paper-writing stage the number one thing is the conclusion. 1/n
DavidBrooker
Conclusions are the reason the paper exists. I'll seriously spend 75% of my time writing and re-writing the last four sentences. Then, I 2/n
DavidBrooker
need to frame the results? The introduction is normally the quickest. What context is required to appreciate the work to follow? 4/n
DavidBrooker
Optional: in addition to the necessary citations for the introduction, I will now add worthless citations to people that will be upset 5/n
DavidBrooker
I work backwards: what discussion do I need to frame my conclusions, what results do I need to frame the discussion, what methods do I 3/n
DavidBrooker
if their name isn't mentioned. This is helpful for peer review. Then the abstract. Lastly, I spend a few hours thinking of a sexy title. 6/6
BitLizard
THANKS TUMBLR.
Lambdafish1
How to write an essay: due tomorrow? Do tomorrow
YouJustActivatedMyTrapCard
More like how to fail your essay. You think we can't tell who wrote this nonsense twenty minutes before it was due?
Worldsapart
All these "A" papers say otherwise. But then again, I was an engineering student, of course I was smarter than all my English teachers... :P
YouJustActivatedMyTrapCard
Keep telling yourself that .
Lambdafish1
How can I do an essay before that point if I'm on Imgur?
YouJustActivatedMyTrapCard
Time management, son.
Nova225
Sometimes yes. I wrote one through an all nighter and got an almost perfect A. One or two grammar errors threw me off, and that was it.
YouJustActivatedMyTrapCard
It's definitely not impossible to pull off. I don't care how much time was spent on it; I care about the product. But usually it's evident.
siriuslypadfoot
As a fellow procrastinator, I always write my A work the night before. Hello all nighter filled with 17 pages.
gutclusters
As a realist, say whatever you got to say to yourself to feel better about how much you procrastinate. Keep doing you, my friend.
siriuslypadfoot
Hahaha thank you. I do well with the pressure and my grades are pretty good, but if I didn't I'm sure they would be better.
Lambdafish1
Yay for caffeine filled study nights :D
Mugenthesamurai
A for achieved, yay. But only barely achieved
ShdwRrw
I've gotten quite well versed in letting work pile up and cranking it out at in one go. I once had to stay up five nights in a row to do it.
russiandobby
Did that one time, wrote 10 pages in one night, got a B+, but shhh dont tell my teacher
lurkingpuppet
Words to live by
Kittenykat
"Procrastination" is just another word for "Patience"
was821
I like that
giftkartoffel
1 The conclusion one is terrible advice. Your reader is unlikely to be so dense that they need you to restate what you just said. Instead
Meloncov
Depends on the type of essay. If you're trying to get your audience to remember a large amount of stuff, repetition is a good idea. (1)
Meloncov
(2) Talking about "why" might sometimes work, but I'd normally put that in an introduction. For most academic papers, I'd suggest (2)
Meloncov
focusing the conclusion on synthesizing your arguments, making explicit how they relate to your thesis.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
The context is obviously a grade school essay or essay for non lit / lang class so ^^ is exactly what the teacher expects out of students
armenite
What I expect and what I hope for are very different things.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
While what you're saying is a better way of writing an essay it's lost on such a context since no one but Teach or Prof will read it.
giftkartoffel
What? This is what college profs are expecting. So the earlier it's taught, the better.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
Unless you're in a lit class they don't bother deducting points for how you actually write something, just what's the actual content in it.
giftkartoffel
Sorry, but you're wrong. I am a writing tutor in a university wide writing center & they most certainly do care. How you write is HOW you
giftkartoffel
Present your content. If you write poorly, it doesn't matter how good your ideas are, bc you won't be able to effectively communicate them.
giftkartoffel
No, it's not. You shouldn't restate your argument in your conclusion. Early habits stick with you so the earlier ppl learn the right way...
[deleted]
[deleted]
LadsActionNews
this is the way i and most people i know were taught to write essays in school. if you didn't do it this way, you got a shitty grade.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
It is. This is exactly what high school teachers want in essays. It's simple, dumb, and easily graded for how well someone sticks to prompt.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
Part of the reason is that with all the essay happy classes out there these days, KISS reigns supreme. Keep It Simple, Stupid.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
Grade School and even many of the entry level college courses these days is built for quantity of work instead of quality.
WhatTheHellAreYouTryingToTellMe
Being able to short hand out an essay in record time might make for bad essays but it makes for faster work and keeps the same grades.
giftkartoffel
2 try to answer "So what?" You've given your argument and evidence, now conclude by telling the reader why your argument was important.
CatSiddhartha
That's if you are writing an argumentative. This is a general paper.
giftkartoffel
No, restating is basically always a poor move when you are writing. Conclude with something that won't demean or condescend to your reader
CatSiddhartha
Dependent on audience. If one's writing in a journal for an academic community, sure. If one's demonstrating knowledge for a grade, restate.
giftkartoffel
If you want to write poorly, then sure.
giftkartoffel
3 For some essays you can conclude by saying how things might change in the future, but conclusions should be about the significance of
giftkartoffel
4 what you've said. However, if you write in the way above, your "conclusion" may work really well as your intro! DON'T JUST RESTATE!!
thedarjeelingunlimited
My lecturers literally gave us a marking scheme that says to restate our arguments in the conclusion.
giftkartoffel
I'm sorry they required you to write like that. It's one of the worst ways to conclude
LezgoNecro
Academic editor here. Consider conceding weaknesses in your argument and setting forth how they might be resolved through further analysis.
katgizmo123
Also for conclusions it's hard to write out a full paragraph on what you just said so I always put the other sides argument then explain why
katgizmo123
One should be against it or why mine was better
secondbest
This is solid advice.
thatsagooddog
My supervisor reads the abstract, then the conclusion, and if he's still interested, the whole paper. Now I do too. I know essays are (1/2)