sweetstudy

Here’s some weapons for your essay writing arsenal!

Hemingway Editor Calmly Writer  The Most Dangerous Writing App Purdue O.W.L. One Look Thesaurus JSTOR Google Scholar

As a cognitive neuroscience major, I read a lot of lengthy academic papers. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having done so many damn readings, it’s that you don’t actually need to read every single word in the paper to understand it. A lot of times, the author will repeat themselves over and over, or offer evidence/explanations that aren’t essential to understanding their argument. Instead, I recommend using the first/last method, which is essentially a guideline to what you should read in order to understand the main gist of an academic paper. 

Any academic paper consists of three structural units: the paper as a whole, the sections/subsections that make up the paper, and the paragraphs that make up each section. The paper as a whole typically follows a certain form: intro/abstract, main argument separated into sections, conclusion. The sections cover one facet of the main argument. The paragraphs provide specific details or explanations for the topic currently under discussion.

The first/last method is exactly what it says on the tin: you only need to read the first and last bit of every structural unit. This means you will read the following as they are presented in the paper: 

abstract, intro, and conclusion

definition of terms, if provided

first and last paragraph of each middle section

first and last 1-2 sentences of each paragraph

The main argument is typically summarized in the intro/abstract, conclusion, or both. The main claim of each section is usually presented in the first paragraph, and the conclusion of the section typically expresses the implications of that claim. Finally, paragraphs will usually start with some kind of topic sentence and end with a conclusion. By reading only these things, you’ll pick up at least 70% of the meaning of the paper, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration. 

If you’d like to bump that comprehension up to 95%, I recommend skimming the paper for italics, lists, and descriptions/summaries of other arguments and reading those things when you encounter them in addition to the things mentioned above. The key to this is to skim for certain cues, and not read every single word. Italics serve as a visual cue, lists are cued by indicators like “first”/”second” or “1)”/”2)”, and summaries of other arguments are typically indicated by copious citations or usage of another author’s name.

Just completed and submitted the final version of my Extended Essay !!! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° 

So I compiled lists of words that I found super super useful in making it easier for me to finish any essay !! Here is a masterpost of some sort with transition words + key vocabs grouped together for easy access as well as an IB IOC ‘cheat sheet’ I used for my english LAL orals last year (though most commentaries follow a similar structure so its generalisable) ~

Good luck with your essays !!!

Happy September, everyone!

As we all get our gears in motion to start a new year, I thought I would share my top tips for scoring the highest marks in English Literature essays. 

(P.S. Lots of these tips are applicable to other subjects too)

1. Don’t write about the character as if they are real

Unfortunately, this is a common error in English Lit essays. It is absolutely imperative to remember that a character is not a person, but is a construct of the writer in order to present an idea or theme. No matter what the question, you should be linking your answer back to the writer’s ideas and theme of the text, even if it doesn’t seem obvious what the theme is on the first inspection of the question. Using the author’s name frequently in your essay will demonstrate that you recognise the character is not a real person - ‘Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a tragic hero, as defined by Aristotle as…’

2. Don’t analyse the plot

Avoid analysing the plot or when things happen in the text. Don’t write ‘When X happens it makes us think Y’. Instead:

Analyse the writer’s use of language, structure and form to create meaning

Do a close language analysis of specific words/phrases, including a sound analysis (plosives, assonance, etc.)

Do a structural analysis of what happens when and why that’s important (Freytag’s pyramid)

Do an analysis of form (stage directions, dramatic monologue, etc.)

3. Keep your answer relevant throughout

You need to be explicitly answering the question - not going off on a tangent nor trying to change the question to suit an answer that you want to write. One way of avoiding this is by starting each paragraph with a topic sentence, summarising what that paragraph is going to be about and how it answers the question. Another method is simply by rewording the question into your answer at the start and end of every paragraph. At least. For greater impact, include synonyms of the word, which can also help with the readability of your answer.

4. Avoid PEE/PEEL/etc. where you can

Thousands of students are taught the same, basic Point-Evidence-Explain (or variant) analytical paragraph structure. If you want to stand out, show academic strength, and achieve the highest marks then you must break free from the chains of PEE! (This also applies for your introduction format. ‘In this essay, I will argue…’ gets pretty dull after reading it 100 times)

For my students, I will be teaching them to write What-How-Why paragraphs:

WHAT has the writer done?

HOW have they done it?

WHY have they done it/is it effective?

This way, your focus is always on why the writer has chosen to use that specific language/structure/form, but it allows you to be creative in crafting your response. Being able to discuss the ‘why’ of literature is the key to unlocking the highest grades. Reading through examiners’ reports this summer has made one thing clear - it is not enough to merely spot linguistic devices or structural features. You must explain why the writer has chosen them and why that is an effective choice (or not).

5. Avoid sweeping statements about context

The main advice here is to only include comments about the context of the text if it adds to the analytical point that you are making. They should not be a bolt-on sentence, but they should enhance your answer.

Further, sweeping claims like ‘All Jacobean women were oppressed by society’ is far too vague. On the other hand, a comment like ‘Lady Macbeth is a disturbing example of womanhood because she denies her gender at a time where the role of a woman was clear-cut, even patriarchal, in Jacobean society’ suggests that you have a greater understanding of how context can influence the writer’s choices.

6. A plan is your best friend

Always, always make time to plan your answer. A method I recommend is, first, circling the key words in the question (character/theme, what you are asked to do, where in the text you are asked to look, etc.). Secondly, write all of your ideas down onto the page, highlighting parts from the extract if you have that in front of you. Finally, select a judicious number of points that you are going to talk about (quality not quantity here) and number the order in which you are going to make them.

If you are writing a comparative essay, each paragraph must start and end with a comparative point about whatever it is you are comparing (characters/themes/etc.) I suggest the following format:

‘X is presented in both text A and text B. However, in A the author uses device 1 and 2 to demonstrate X. On the other hand, in B, the author demonstrates X via use of device 2 and 3.’ Then write one paragraph for each text. Repeat this again for another similarity. And again for a third - if you think that is appropriate.

Click HERE if you want more top tips/resources/essay advice/study motivation!!

Click HERE if you want more top tips/resources/essay advice/study motivation!!

Hey, guys! This last semester I’ve taken a class in academic writing, focusing especially on essays, so I thought I’d share some of the tips I’ve learned :)

Step 1: Preparation

Brainstorm! Once you know what you’re writing about, have a quick brainstorm about what you already know on the subject. It may also give you original content that you won’t find in your research which is great!

Research! It sounds boring & time-consuming but it’s so helpful. Look online, at articles & books, they are all a great source of information. And you can find them all for free at your uni/school/local library! Make sure when you find a source you want to use, you keep it to reference later. I like to bookmark them all in a folder that I can come back to later when I need to reference. 

Organise! All the points you’ve gathered from your brainstorm & research can be put into a simple mind map or list form which helps you plan out where in your essay each point should be placed. This will make the writing process much easier & faster.

Step 2: Write

Topic Sentences Before you write your introduction come up with 3-7 (depending on how long your essay needs to be) topic sentences. These are opening paragraph sentences which introduce your point & relate it to the essays main topic. They don’t need to be used to introduce every new point but are a good place to start & a good warm up for the actual writing of the essay. 

Introduction The introduction is very important, it gives the reader a taste of what the essays going to be about, the writing style & introduces the main topic. It should be concise yet give enough information to give the reader a real grip on what they’re about to read. It should include your thesis, a strong sentence which sums up the main point. I also like to make introductions somewhat thought-provoking, to allow the reader to create their own ideas on the subject but this depends on the subject, sometimes you’re going to want to be more definite.

Main Points The main body of the essay should explain or expand on your topic. It’s a chance to get your points across, show the reader what you know. Every main point should get its own paragraph(s). Each paragraph must have a reason to exist; it should relate to the main subject, develop the point and fit in with the overall flow of the essay. Also, make sure a paragraph only deals with one point/idea! Otherwise, it may get too confusing!

Conclusion Your conclusion doesn’t have to be long & don’t use it to list your points. It should be a nice, solid end to your essay that leaves the reader with an impression. Also, it’s best not to put in a new idea in the conclusion, just use it as one of your main points instead!

Step 3: Check

References Don’t forget those annoying references. They’re a pain but it’s better to have them done. Make sure you’re using the right referencing style for your institution! A quick google search can easily help with any problems you may have! 

Proofread  This is something I hate doing but is actually so important. Errors in an essay can sometimes stand out more than the good points and can lower the standard of the essay. Make sure you read & reread!  I personally hate rereading my own writing so I use Grammarly as much as I can. Grammarly is a free automated proofreader which corrects as you type. It underlines any errors and when you click on them it gives you corrections (which also helps you learn & fix your common mistakes for yourself!). It’s available for Chrome, Microsoft Office, Windows etc. I’ve honestly found it so helpful for proofreading & really believe it helps me improve errors I wouldn’t have noticed myself. 

Plagiarism Obviously, don’t  knowingly plagiarise, but if you worry that your work is going to be similar to someone else’s you can check online how similar your essay is. It can be a good thing to check before you submit, just for peace of mind! 

*some links are affiliate but I only support products/brands I love & use myself 

a small guide on how i battle my essays! (click on an image to view it clearer) 

(keep in mind: i’m an english major so a majority of my essays are literature-focused!)

perfect resume for someone with no experience

A+ advice on writing cv’s

a guide to writing your resume

how to get a job fast as hell

resume writing tips

jobs and careers masterpost

how to answer interview questions

career and employment masterpost

resume template

strong words to use on a resume

34 crucial tips for your next job interview 

how to write a cv

resume cheat sheet

how to write a cover letter

job hunting resources

Find a job in your field

7 questions you should ask at the end of every interview

how to get a job before you graduate

I recently took a very helpful youth professional development course and learned some great things I’d love to share with everyone. This post will be especially helpful for first time resume writers, but there might be something in it for everyone. 

1. What is a Resume? 

A resume is a brief summary of your abilities, experience, and skills. It’s essentially a personal advertisement for your professional career, an opportunity to convince the employer that you are worth interviewing. 

The average employer will only take about 15-20 seconds to read your resume.

It’s important that your resume is neat so the reader can find important information quickly. 

Limit the resume to one page. 

Standard font size is 11-12, but you can play with the font or margins to fit everything. 

2. Headings 

Start with your personal information at the top of the first page (name, address, phone number, and email address). 

Keep the header centered and your name on top in BIG LETTERS.

3. Education 

If you are still in school or have little professional experience, this will likely be the first section in your resume. 

Document your education and graduation year.

Include the location (city, state), but do not include the school address. 

If you attend a school with a College Preparatory Curriculum, you may list that as a bullet underneath. If you are taking Honors or AP classes (or an international equivalent), feel free to list that as well. 

4. Professional Experience 

List your work experience in reverse chronological order - start with your most recent experience, and work backwards. 

Include the employer name, city, state, and position title for each. Again, no addresses.

Record your dates of employment consistently, using a format like June 2016 - August 2015, or 6/15 - 8/15. Staying consistent will make your resume professional. 

Place current jobs in the present tense, past jobs in the last tense. 

Write short phrases, not full sentences (”performed experiments”, not “I performed experiments”). Start each description with an action word that describes your skills, responsibilities, or accomplishments. 

Make sure you are specific about your responsibilities and don’t undersell yourself!

5. Skills 

Most commonly listed skills are computer programs and softwares you are comfortable with, and languages you are fluent/proficient in. 

Be honest! If you say you’re fluent in Spanish and you’re not, but your employer hires you for your Spanish abilities…. someone isn’t going to be pleased. 

List skills that are relevant to your job - patience might be a good skill for working with children, while organized might be more suitable for an office setting. 

6. Honors & Awards/Extracurriculars

List any honors or awards you have earned, including a brief explanation if the nature of the award is unclear. 

List any activities that you have been involved in, making sure to include years of participation (again, be consistent with formatting). These can be in-school or outside-of-school activities.

7. General & Miscellaneous

Some safe fonts: Times New Roman, Garamond, Calibri, or Book Antiqua

Make sure your email is professional! This has been repeated to death but it’s so, so, so important. 

Likewise, if you list your personal cellphone number, make sure your voicemail message is appropriate. When in doubt, just revert back to the standard voicemail greeting. 

I hope this was helpful for anyone just starting out with their resume. Please share this for those who need it. Best of luck! 

Hello! I decided during the school year to compile all the resources I used while writing essays as well as other posts I’ve found on tumblr. I’m just posting this now… This shows how awesome I am at procrastinating. Just in time for the new school year, here are some of my favorite essay writing resources!

Editing

Grammar Girl’s Editing Checklist by @anomalously-written [literally one of the only editing checklists you’ll ever need]

Readability Score [tells you what level of education someone would need to read your paper, more helpful than it sounds!]

Word Counter [gives you a ton of statistics about what you’ve written]

Proofreading Checklist for the Basic Essay [another great editing checklist]

Title Capitalization [for whenever you’re unsure of what to capitalize in your title]

Grammarly [my favorite spellcheck/grammar check]

Words

Tip of my Tongue [helps you find what word you’re looking for based on letters and meaning]

Transition Words for Your Essays by @soniastudyblr

Descriptive Words by @studyyoassoff

Informal vs. Formal

Adjective Pairs [commonly confused adjectives]

Instead of Very

Tips

This Post by @peanut-caravan

These Beautiful Tips by @ohstudyhun

15 Shocking Student Fails [mistakes to avoid]

How to Write Essays Like Pros

10 Tips to Write an Essay and Actually Enjoy It

The 7 “Fear Nots” of Every Writing Project [excuses to stop making]

How To

How to Structure Essays by @rewritign [awesome awesome resource!]

Ten Steps to Writing an Essay by @sciencescribbles [feat. super cute doodles!]

How to Write Conclusions by @rewritign

How to Write College Level Essays by @caesarstudies

How to Write a Research Essay with Limited Time by @studyspire [great for when you don’t know where to start]

Essay Hooks [helpful for creating your first sentence]

How to Write a Kickass Essay with ½ the Stress

Titles [for when you have an essay but no idea what to title it]

hey guys!!! someone asked me if i could tell them some tips for studying a new language so i thought i’d make a masterpost so everyone could see it and use it!!! happy learning ❤️📚 (x)

i wanted to add more things but it was going to be too long, so if you want me to add anything else tell me and i’ll make another masterpost with it!!

general tips

make the most of duolingo! by @leahrning

learning foreign languages by @a-pprendre

how to self-study languages by @e-tudiante

how to learn a new language at home by @laurynstudy​

ace your foreign language class by @cambridgemagic

language learning by @study-well

studying a foreign language by @areistotle

online bilingual dictionaries by @languageramblings

15 tips for language self-study

the complete guide of self-studying a foreign language

5 tips for self-studying a foreign language

tips for learning a new language by @ofminervas 

tips for writing by @moonstruckstudies

another language masterpost by @wonderful-language-sounds​

ten reasons to learn a new language by @thescholarlysquad​

language learning tips and resources by @study-ings

how to study a foreign language by @a-student-life

a faster way to start learning a language by @funwithlanguages 

a new language? tricky but easy! by @underpressurecharlie

how i learn languages by @mickybyrd

american sign language

free asl learning programs

start asl

learn asl

asl resources

arabic

online resources

more resources

learn arabic

arabic online

chinese

coffee related words by @the-brightest-witch-studies

mandarin chinese resource masterpost by @floernce

chinese resources by @brbimstudying

english

the ultimate english masterpost by @areistotle

english masterpost by @studyvet

free online courses by @wonderful-language-sounds 

get litterature notes x x x x

french

french masterpost by @organisaticns

french resources masterlist by @nathalliastudies

50 advanced french phrases by @la-linguistique 

12 tips for learning french efficiently

how to improve your french

french music by @studyplants

french resources

german

german capitalisation by @yourfuckingmuse

german emotions by @deutsch-doodles

learning tools by @wonderful-language-sounds

learn german online

guide to learning german by @baernat

free german resources by @languageoclock

greek

how to learn greek by @katlearnslanguages

hindi

learn hindi

italian

italian masterpost by @studybowie 

japanese

learn japanese!! by @solarstudy

fun ways to study japanese by @japanesewithyuandclare

japanese masterlist by @thespecsappeal​

learn japanese

korean

korean language learning masterpost! by @study-mochi​

how to study korean

korean alphabet

learn korean

korean language education center

learn korean

korean for beginners by @mujistudies

latin

learn latin by @studyplants​

learn latin!!

free online resources

free latin videos

latin course

maltese

maltese resources by @maltese-boy

animals in maltese by @maltese-boy

speak maltese in 300 words by @maltese-boy

portuguese

learn portugese

portuguese ressources by @lass-uns-studieren

polish

polish media by @maltese-boy

drinks in polish by @untaintedtea

​polish learning masterpost by @areistotle

russian

learning russian by @wonderful-language-sounds

online russian learning

russian alphabet by @pycckuu

tips to read and listen in russian by @wonderful-language-sounds

spanish

great apps!! by @katlearnslanguages

spanish resources masterpost by @alcyonien​

spanish oxford dictionary by @productivebuddy​

spanish resources by @somestudy

spanish media resources by @wonderful-language-sounds

swedish

swedish resources masterpost by @studyvet

swedish media by @maltese-boy

web/apps

fluentin3months

babbel

memrise

linguti

livemocha

BBC Languages

l-lingo

lang-8

mosalingua 

busuu

hellotalk 

bliubliu

mango languages

language

vocabulary tool

reading tool

helpful language apps masterpost by @studysthetics

other

foreign language cartoons by @lingdom​

best songs for learning a language by @highschoolering 

learn about fillers in different languages by @vinurminn

learn an ancient language

another language masterpost by @z-co

masterpost of language massive open courses by @wonderful-sounds

language resources by @travellingual

a folder with all of the grammar you’ll ever need

notebook set up by @curiousmin-d 

motivation

benefits of being bilingual by @polyglotgirl 

motivation to keep on studying by @rahaflearns 

why you’re a better learner than a child by @languageoclock​

my masterposts

app masterpost

DIY masterpost

food masterpost

how to: group work

Here’s an easy resolution: This stuff is all free as long as you have access to a computer, and the skills you learn will be invaluable in your career, and/or life in general. 

1. Become awesome at Excel.

Chandoo is one of many gracious Excel experts who wants to share their knowledge with the world. Excel excellence is one of those skills that will improve your chances of getting a good job instantly, and it will continue to prove invaluable over the course of your career. What are you waiting for?

2. Learn how to code.

littleanimalgifs.tumblr.com

Perhaps no other skill you can learn for free online has as much potential to lead to a lucrative career. Want to build a site for your startup? Want to build the next big app? Want to get hired at a place like BuzzFeed? You should learn to code. There are a lot of places that offer free or cheap online coding tutorials, but I recommend Code Academy for their breadth and innovative program. If you want to try a more traditional route, Harvard offers its excellent Introduction to Computer Science course online for free.

3. Make a dynamic website.

You could use a pre-existing template or blogging service, or you could learn Ruby on Rails and probably change your life forever. Here’s an extremely helpful long list of free Ruby learning tools that includes everything from Rails for Zombies to Learn Ruby The Hard Way. Go! Ruby! Some basic programming experience, like one of the courses above, might be helpful (but not necessarily required if you’re patient with yourself).

4. Learn to make a mobile game.

If you’re not interested in coding anything other than fun game apps, you could trythis course from the University of Reading. It promises to teach you how to build a game in Java, even if you don’t have programming experience! If you want to make a truly great game, you might want to read/listen up on Game Theory first.

5. Start reading faster.

Spreeder is a free online program that will improve your reading skill and comprehension no matter how old you are. With enough practice, you could learn to double, triple, or even quadruple the speed at which you read passages currently, which is basically like adding years to your life.

6. Learn a language!

With Duolingo, you can learn Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, or English (from any of the above or more). There’s a mobile app and a website, and the extensive courses are completely free.

Full disclosure: BuzzFeed and other websites are in a partnership with DuoLingo, but they did not pay or ask for this placement.

7. Pickle your own vegetables.

Tired of your farmer’s market haul going bad before you use it all? Or do you just love tangy pickled veggies? You too can pickle like a pro thanks to SkillShare and Travis Grillo.

8. Improve your public speaking skills.

You can take the University of Washington’s Intro to Public Speaking for free online. Once you learn a few tricks of the trade, you’ll be able to go into situations like being asked to present at a company meeting or giving a presentation in class without nearly as much fear and loathing.

9. Get a basic handle of statistics.

UC Berkeley put a stats intro class on iTunes. Once you know how to understand the numbers yourself, you’ll never read a biased “news” article the same way again — 100% of authors of this post agree!

10. Understand basic psychology.

Knowing the basics of psych will bring context to your understanding of yourself, the dynamics of your family and friendships, what’s really going on with your coworkers, and the woes and wonders of society in general. Yale University has its Intro to Psychology lectures online for free.

11. Make your own music.

Step one: Learn how to play guitar: Justin Guitar is a fine and free place to start learning chords and the basic skills you’ll need to be able to play guitar — from there, it’s up to you, but once you know the basics, just looking up tabs for your favorite songs and learning them on your own is how many young guitar players get their start (plus it’s an excellent party trick).

Step two: A delightful free voice lesson from Berklee College Of Music.

Step three: Have you always thought you had an inner TSwift? Berklee College of Music offers an Introduction to Songwriting course completely for free online. The course is six weeks long, and by the end of the lesson you’ll have at least one completed song.

Step four: Lifehacker’s basics of music production will help you put it all together once you have the skills down! You’ll be recording your own music, ready to share with your valentine or the entire world, in no time!

12. Learn to negotiate.

Let Stanford’s Stan Christensen explain how to negotiate in business and your personal life, managing relationships for your personal gain and not letting yourself be steamrolled. There are a lot of football metaphors and it’s great.

13. Stop hating math.

If you struggled with math throughout school and now have trouble applying it in real-world situations when it crops up, try Saylor.org’s Real World Math course. It will reteach you basic math skills as they apply IRL. Very helpful!

14. Start drawing!

All kids draw — so why do we become so afraid of it as adults? Everyone should feel comfortable with a sketchbook and pencil, and sketching is a wonderful way to express your creativity. DrawSpace is a great place to start. (I also highly recommend the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain if you can drop a few dollars for a used copy.)

15. Make your own animated GIF.

BuzzFeed’s own Katie Notopoulos has a great, simple guide to making an animated GIF without Photoshop. This is all you need to be the king or queen of Tumblr or your favorite email chains.

16. Appreciate jazz.

reddit.com

Have you never really “gotten” jazz? If you want to be able to participate in conversations at fancy parties and/or just add some context to your appreciation of all music, try this free online course from UT Austin.

17. Write well.

Macalester College’s lecture series is excellent. If you’re more interested in journalism, try Wikiversity’s course selection.

18. Get better at using Photoshop.

Another invaluable skill that will get you places in your career, learning Photoshop can be as fun as watching the hilarious videos on You Suck At Photoshop or as serious as this extensive Udemy training course (focused on photo retouching).

19. Take decent pictures.

Lifehacker’s basics of photography might be a good place to start. Learn how your camera works, the basic of composition, and editing images in post-production. If you finish that and you’re not sure what to do next, here’s a short course on displaying and sharing your digital photographs.

20. Learn to knit.

Instructables has a great course by a woman who is herself an online-taught knitter. You’ll be making baby hats and cute scarves before this winter’s over!

21. Get started with investing in stocks.

If you are lucky enough to have a regular income, you should start learning about savings and investment now. Investopedia has a ton of online resources, including this free stocks basics course. Invest away!

22. Clean your house in a short amount of time.

Unf$#k Your Habitat has a great emergency cleaning guide for when your mother-in-law springs a surprise visit on you. While you’re over there, the entire blog is good for getting organized and clean in the long term, not just in “emergencies.” You’ll be happier for it.

23. Start practicing yoga.

Most cities have free community classes (try just searching Google or inquiring at your local yoga studio), or if you’re more comfortable trying yoga at home, YogaGlohas a great 15-day trial and Yome is a compendium of 100% free yoga videos. If you’re already familiar with basic yoga positions but you need an easy way to practice at home, I recommend YogaTailor’s free trial as well.

24. Tie your shoelaces more efficiently.