writing horrible essays!

waterfaerie

Not sure if this is the right place to put this, but what do people think about using lecture notes to write an essay? I take really good notes, I mean word for word what the lecturer said. I'm writing an awful essay at the moment, and I've read the other stuff you're supposed to read but there's just so much in it. So far what I've done is typed up exactly what it says in the notes I took in lectures. Do you think this is ok? It does say everything should be in your own words, but technically, I took the notes myself as I listened!

Rb

Go for it.

scuba steve

ya go on shur

waterfaerie

rb_ie wrote:

Go for it.

Ha ha!
I like the link in your signature, it's actually a religion essay i'm writing!

0utshined

You shouldn't expect to get away with that. I would imagine your lecturer will recognise his own idioms and phrases.

I'm not a big fan of writing essays or documents but over the years I think I've got a lot better at it. What I find works for me is opening up notepad and putting a different thought or idea or something you want to mention on each line. Come back to this over a few days if needs be. Once you've done that organise each of these ideas into different sections.

I find I'm usually able to write at least 2-3 sentences about each thought and when I have them in the relevant section I go over them again to make sure it flows correctly.

Best of luck with it anyway.

projectmayhem

are you studying english, journalism or what? i'd assume so since you're writing an essay... if you are, isn't the point of such a course to write your own material?

waterfaerie

projectmayhem wrote:

are you studying english, journalism or what? i'd assume so since you're writing an essay... if you are, isn't the point of such a course to write your own material?

I'm actually studying primary teaching, and the essay is about religious studies. Considering I don't agree with organised religion, I'm finding it quite difficult! They don't want us to come up with our own material. In fact, they don't want us to do any other research, but just use all the material they gave us. It just says not to quote directly from those and that it should be in your own words, but what I'm writing is based on lecture notes I took, not the material they gave out to us, which is much the same as what the lecturers said only really drawn out and full of obscure words I don't understand.

raheny red

What exactly is your essay on?

I'm actually in a religious college at the moment (Mater Dei Institute, Drumcondra).

Yeh sure use your lecturer's notes, my lecturers actually tell us we can use his/her notes from class!

How many words does your essay have to be??

Dave!

Go for it! I'm sure they won't remember word for word what they said in a lecture 2 weeks ago! Just don't make it TOO obvious: omit obvious distinctive phrases, etc.

waterfaerie

raheny red wrote:

What exactly is your essay on?

It's 2,000 words, "are religious studies a help or a hindrance to living the christian life?"

LundiMardi

waterfaerie wrote:

It's 2,000 words, "are religious studies a help or a hindrance to living the christian life?"

dear god, you're living my nightmare... stupid ****in RE

raheny red

If you don't mind me asking, what college are you in?

Believe me there are a lot worse essays in RE than that, that essay ain't that difficult really!:eek:

Rollo Tamasi

you may already be aware but www.scholar.google.com for journals and professional articles on EVERYTHING!
I use it quite often, that and the footnote button in word. Lecturers love references...altough you did say it has to be your own thoughts.......one word girl....PLAGURISIM!

projectmayhem

waterfaerie wrote:

I'm actually studying primary teaching, and the essay is about religious studies. Considering I don't agree with organised religion, I'm finding it quite difficult! They don't want us to come up with our own material. In fact, they don't want us to do any other research, but just use all the material they gave us. It just says not to quote directly from those and that it should be in your own words, but what I'm writing is based on lecture notes I took, not the material they gave out to us, which is much the same as what the lecturers said only really drawn out and full of obscure words I don't understand.

ah i see. happy copying then!

stevenmu

erm... why not think about the topic, form an opinion on it, and write about it ?

Isn't that how essays are supposed to be done ?