Quick study guide: Writing and Study skills

We asked some study experts for their advice on how to do well in college. Dr Majella Dempsey is course leader for the science and maths education programme at Maynooth University. Kathy Bradley is coordinator of the new UCC Skills Centre. Linda Doran is head of the disability support services in UCC. Peter McGuire is a freelance journalist and former lecturer and adult education tutor in Irish Folklore at UCD.

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting back an essay where the student hasn’t answered the question asked, says Kathy Bradley, co-ordinator of the new skills centre at UCC.

“Look at the question carefully, paying attention to its limitations and to the specific terms used. Don’t just skim the surface but look to go deep and really engage. Discuss every element of the question and have a viewpoint on it.”

Avoid received wisdom.

It might seem, for instance, to make sense to you that Brexit is a massive folly; you might think that it’s obvious that women should have equal opportunities; or you could think that human activity is destroying the planet. But if these form a significant part of your essay, you need to explain why. This is testing your beliefs and ideas; you are in college and are meant to be challenged. And robust ideas will stand up to questioning and emerge stronger. Show that you have done the research, have a level of understanding and can back it up.

“Make sure there is enough evidence in your academic reading to back up the claim,” says Bradley. “If you are just going across the surface and making claims without backing them up, it is just your opinion. Academic rigour draws on other people’s work to prove or disprove.”

Is there a thesis statement?

After that, the UCC Skills Centre encourages students to be clear on what they are saying. “Is there good paragraph structure? Is there a thesis statement?”

Thesis statements are clear and concise summaries of the point or argument in your essay and should usually appear in the first paragraph. Every introduction should have one, says Bradley. “It should ground the reader and show them where they are going. We often advise the students to write the introduction last, when it has become clear to them what they are saying. When you’re writing in the sciences, a literature review (a critical evaluation of the key writings and ideas on a particular topic) is needed.”

Paragraph structure

Paragraph structure is important, says Bradley. “Make a point, use a quote and explain: this doesn’t have to be a direct quote but perhaps one that is paraphrased from an academic writing. Make sure every point you make is academically rigorous and, ideally, comes from more than one source.”

Make sure that you use correct grammar and punctuation. “Spellcheck,” says Bradley. “Take a few minutes at the end to format your essay in accordance with the guidelines issued by your school or department.”

How many references to use?

Most lecturers - including this writer during his time as a lecturer- tell students that they should aim for at least four. But three references from excellent sources (LINK TO: what makes a good source) who all have different points of view is better than nine references from people who all, for instance, come from the right or left of the political centre.

“I would never put a number on how many references a student should use,” says Bradley. “It could take 10 or 15 different readings to get a deep understanding or it could be done in far less.”

How to study:

Lecture notes should be your first port of call. Also refer back to your reading list. “Each article on your reading list is a roadmap in itself and is based on a good bibliography,” says Bradley. “Consider what they are trying to say and how they back it up.”

Look into the Cornell note-taking system which is recommended by many academics and the UCC Skills Centre. This is about taking your lecture notes and, within 24 hours, reducing them down to create a summary. “When it comes to exam time you have your key words and summaries and it is a good way of pulling it all together.”

“Learning is coming to understand yourself as an individual and how you learn,” says Bradley. “Are you a logical learner, or kinaesthetic or audio? Identifying how you learn helps you to maximise your potential, so look at what works best for you. We do a lot of mind mapping with students which helps them to make their learning a bit more visual. XMind.net is the most popular mind-mapping software which helps you to create your information visually.”

Beyond exams

Increasingly, college courses require more than just exams and written assignments, with group work, projects and presentations used more than ever before. This poses challenges for some students and can take them outside their comfort zone, particularly when it comes to working with others and understanding the differing dynamics in various groups. You might not like it, but it does prepare you for the reality of the workplace where you will almost certainly have to work with others.

Tomorrow: Sources