Essays- how are they different?

Hi all,

I have a 2000 word essay due next week. I have the first draft (at 2400 words  ) done, but I am curious- what is the differences between US and UK style?

I have heard that UK and USA writing styles are different, but not how, so I want to see if any of the seasoned students know. My awesome tutor has promised to look over my draft, and I am going to visit study support too. Any other tips?

Hi Sprigged,

I'm (slowly) working towards a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University. I have also taken various courses at the University of Teesside. Both experiences have led me to believe that the most common aspect in the essay writing is this: not many know how to bloody write an essay. This goes for course lecturers and tutors as well, although my current OU tutors seem quite with it! I find that grammar and punctuation leaves much to be desired. I even found this when I was on a 30-day teaching placement at a secondary school. The teachers were, at times, just as bad as the students!

I have always been pretty darn good at English, grammar, and punctuation and know what I'm talking about. I'm a secretary and I get through loads of minutes, and reports and the grammar and punctuation is absolutely atrocious. It really is a pet peeve of mine.

Other than that, there isn't too much difference, although I'd check your university's policy on writing essays. Some have a set style, while others do not. Some even use the Harvard style, which is what I grew up on in the States. Oh yes, another thing is what British people call the different punctuation marks, which I think -- and not to be offensive -- but I think it was made to be easier for compulsory school, a sort of "dumbing down". Be prepared to hear speech marks or inverted commas used in reference to quotation marks and an apostrophe. Another pet peeve!

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. 

Mel

How strict are professors on spelling, especially British spelling?

I've reconfigured MS word so that it checks for British spelling, but I'm worried I might slip up on a few words.

make sure to stick to the 10% guideline our university is quite strict on that ...don't go under or over 10% the required word count it can cost you a grade!!

I was always taught not to say things like "this essay will outline the blah blah blah" and I've gotten points taken off for not doing that!  I was told to construct your introductory paragraph with the last line or two being your thesis statement and then following that you PROVE your point.

I would have failed in the states if I had said "I propose" or "I would submit"!  We were told to speak with the language of authority!

I don't know if this is just my professors or what, but it was a shock to me.

I've not found tutors/professors to be too strict, especially if they know you're American and therefore will have a few slip-ups. Reconfiguring Word's spell check facility to the British spelling is quite helpful. I think the main spelling difference is: practice vs practise, colour vs color, criticise vs criticize, check vs. cheque. Things like that. I can not, for the life of me, will myself to spell tire the British way (tyre) or jail (gaol), although I've seen both variations of the latter more frequently now. If you're unsure about the spelling of a word, just consult a printed dictionary. I don't trust Word's grammar or spelling check very much.

Alicia made a point that I'd forgotten as well. Stick to the word limit. They're quite strict on that. Most universities allow either 10% above or under, which is helpful in some cases!

You're quite right, Trillian about how they say to write your essay over here. I was taught the same as you so it's hard to get used to when you've written the same way for years!

Hi Sprigged,

I'm (slowly) working towards a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University. I have also taken various courses at the University of Teesside. Both experiences have led me to believe that the most common aspect in the essay writing is this: not many know how to bloody write an essay. This goes for course lecturers and tutors as well, although my current OU tutors seem quite with it! I find that grammar and punctuation leaves much to be desired. I even found this when I was on a 30-day teaching placement at a secondary school. The teachers were, at times, just as bad as the students!

I have always been pretty darn good at English, grammar, and punctuation and know what I'm talking about. I'm a secretary and I get through loads of minutes, and reports and the grammar and punctuation is absolutely atrocious. It really is a pet peeve of mine.

Other than that, there isn't too much difference, although I'd check your university's policy on writing essays. Some have a set style, while others do not. Some even use the Harvard style, which is what I grew up on in the States. Oh yes, another thing is what British people call the different punctuation marks, which I think -- and not to be offensive -- but I think it was made to be easier for compulsory school, a sort of "dumbing down". Be prepared to hear speech marks or inverted commas used in reference to quotation marks and an apostrophe. Another pet peeve!

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. 

Mel

Hi
How did you do with TMA02/03? Im totally putting off TMA04. I just have it set in my mind that its boring!!! I cant seem to get motivated and my tutor has been MIA for a few weeks!
Ricki

I was always taught not to say things like "this essay will outline the blah blah blah" and I've gotten points taken off for not doing that! I was told to construct your introductory paragraph with the last line or two being your thesis statement and then following that you PROVE your point.

I would have failed in the states if I had said "I propose" or "I would submit"! We were told to speak with the language of authority!

I don't know if this is just my professors or what, but it was a shock to me.

I was taught the same things...

but as I went on in University land it changed...

Speaking as a former journal editorial assistant.....This is pretty standard academic writing practice in the USA and UK.  Once you get over the 5 paragraph essay format from US High School and early University years it does switch over.  The point being that the longer your papers get and the more involved and subject specific, your reader needs to know right away if there is anything of value in your piece.  So you have to pretty much give in your intro paragraph:   what you are proposing (usually using the lovely one, this author, this study instead of I), what your hypothesis is and just why does the reader care ie what contribution are you aiming to make.

If I don't see these these in a peer reviewed article I don't bother going through all 20+ pages.  I should be able to  get your main points from just reading the intro and conclusion.

It might help to check out some of the academic peer reviewed journals in your field to see what they expect.  Especially if that's the standard your tutors are using to grade you by.

Also my university requires that my doctoral thesis and any work follow the norms of British Academic English and punctuation.  So my husband reads/will read anything I hand in.

It's not wrong... it's just different.


One (it's like the royal we isn't it?) also must endevour to find a balance between the very passive voiced academic paper and the active voice that keeps people interested. 

Oh and make sure you use whatever citation system your department or even your professor likes. This alone can send academics into a tizzy.

Thanks vnicepeeps!  I have downloaded some of a specifically annoying professor's  published journal articles to see what he is expecting.  Fortunately, my essays, though graded, are non-assessed and my first year doesn't count towards my degree grade.  I've got a little while to adjust.   

Thank you everyone! I went to study support today, and they helped me alot. I highly reccomend it.

Now to edit...My essay creeped up to 2600 words!   I could write a book on this.

Hi
How did you do with TMA02/03? Im totally putting off TMA04. I just have it set in my mind that its boring!!! I cant seem to get motivated and my tutor has been MIA for a few weeks!
Ricki

Hi Ricki,

I made Cs on both papers, which was actually better than I thought I did. I know I could have done better, but I've been sick for the past few months with some flu/asthma thing that I couldn't be bothered. However, I made a 72 on my first Approaching Lit TMA, so I was quite chuffed with that mark (definitely not what I expected!).I'm still finding it hard to motivate myself with things in general though.

I'm in agreement - it's a bit boring! I'm still debating on doing TMA04, but I'm more leaning towards NOT doing it and starting on TMA05, then 6. I've got a friend coming over from Florida and he's staying almost a month. I'm taking time off work to be chauffeur and tour guide so I've got to get on top of everything!

Mel x [/color]

Hi Ricki,

I made Cs on both papers, which was actually better than I thought I did. I know I could have done better, but I've been sick for the past few months with some flu/asthma thing that I couldn't be bothered. However, I made a 72 on my first Approaching Lit TMA, so I was quite chuffed with that mark (definitely not what I expected!).I'm still finding it hard to motivate myself with things in general though.

I'm in agreement - it's a bit boring! I'm still debating on doing TMA04, but I'm more leaning towards NOT doing it and starting on TMA05, then 6. I've got a friend coming over from Florida and he's staying almost a month. I'm taking time off work to be chauffeur and tour guide so I've got to get on top of everything!

Mel x

Hi Mel
I just cannot get my head around TMA04! I wish I didnt have to do it but I did VERY poorly on my TMA02. I did pretty well on the last one though. Anyway I cant afford to let this TMA pass. I have to do it and get at least a C. 
I just requested an extension. She gave me 21 days. I hated to ask but I just dont get it at the moment!
Ricki x

Hi Mel
I just cannot get my head around TMA04! I wish I didnt have to do it but I did VERY poorly on my TMA02. I did pretty well on the last one though. Anyway I cant afford to let this TMA pass. I have to do it and get at least a C. 
I just requested an extension. She gave me 21 days. I hated to ask but I just dont get it at the moment!
Ricki x

Hi Ricki,

Good luck on TMA4. I've had a look at the other TMAs just to see if they are comprehendible. I think they seem a bit easier than this one. Don't worry about asking for an extension. I hate asking for them, but I had to ask both tutors for an extension on TMA1 and were generally quite nice sympathetic about it. I did the same for my A210 TMAs (thankfully my tutor lets us email them to him to save time!). I've opted out of TMA2, but the rest seem fairly doable.

Mel x[/color]