Has anyone written at Masters level, do you have time on your hands?

[MakeMineALarge1]

I appear to have signed up for a module at Uni which is to be marked at level 7 - I have only written at level 6.

There are only 2 of us being funded to to this course, I was asked to do it.

I don't want to let myself or my unit down, please, can anyone help me, by proof reading, critiquing etc?

[quote MakeMineALarge1]@doublefaced
How much £10?? About all i can spare.[/quote]
Pm me hon.
Strictly between us

Currently studying an English MA so if you'd like a proof reader I'm happy to have a look. 😁

@Thingsdogetbetter

For proofreading always print out and step away for 24 hours. Otherwise your brain sees what should be there not what is there. Highlighter in hand read aloud (ear and eye is much better at picking up than eye alone) and highlight errors. Do not fix as you go. Once the whole document is highlighted, go back and fix, crossing out the errors as you go. If you have time, print out and do again.

I second all of this advice. Printing out what you have done with the time to reflect and correct really helps. One other thing and I appreciate that this might be easier said than done, is to try and enjoy the assignments and the process and challenge of working on something, even if it does seem a bit daunting. You have been selected for the course because you can do it and are good enough so try to keep that in mind. Doing a masters is an awesome thing and you won't regret it. Good luck.

Thank you for all your advice.
It's only one module, but who knows where it will lead.
I am organised and do engage with tutors etc. I am looking forward to the challene.
Thank you everyone who has responded and offered assistance. Xx

When I did mine, there were additional remote modules about how to write at masters level, and how to reference (not marked, but a set of activities to work through) I thought they’d be very boring, but they were 100% worth it. Check if you have anything similar.

I was hoping we could all do it as a mumsnet collective!

Look for fellow students who are interested in forming a study group. I did a (different) masters course and was lucky enough to bond with a smallish group. We would meet to discuss each assignment and share resources and opinions.

Each time we stopped the discussion when we started to disagree and then each wrote up separately. For me, it made the difference between a pass and a distinction. And I really enjoyed it.

#teamwork

How much do you know about your own learning style and personality type? Find out as much as you can.

Knowing for example that I am a big picture sort of person meant that anytime I had a wobble when writing up, I would remind myself of my conclusion and introduction. For me, it worked to write my conclusion very early on and update it as I went along.

Congratulations on the opportunity. You have got this, you will do well. Pin up some reminders to yourself of anything that motivates you. Good luck.

I’m an Architect, dyslexic, academic writing is not the main focus of our course and I was living on a small remote Island, while distance learning. So no, my supervisor read my two page proposal and wished me luck. Had I been in a normal place with consistent phone or internet I’m sure I would have had supervisor support.

Of course, I had a sufficient command of English, but I didn’t want sufficient tho I wanted quality. A second set of eyes is never a bad idea, fatigue is real and it’s called quality control. Presentation detail is crucial in my field. Different courses different objectives I suppose.

@Thingsdogetbetter @jimmyhill Hedge hedge hedge with cautious language. No absolute statements, hedge your points. "The advantages may outweigh the disadvantages." Don't blindly trust your sources' opinions. "Smith (2017) seems to say that....." etc.

@jimmyhill This is poor advice. It will make you sound uncertain. If there are two sides to an argument, describe and evidence them both. If possible come to a conclusion about which of them is more persuasive. But hedging is not a good practice.

I have to agree with @Thingsdogetbetter. It is extremely good practice in scientific disciplines, to analyse your references and data contained within them. Taking a paper at face value or unanalysed is extremely poor practice considering a hypothesis is just that and a theory whilst more established is open to debate and never a certainty, else we would never process. Perhaps it depends on what subject area you are writing in however, I do realise that; the concept of the ultimate value of a paper may be interpreted differently.

else we would never process = progress... sorry

I think it's the hedging language that sounds uncertain, not the analysing of sources? Obviously in any academic discipline you do that. But hedging is bad writing, and saying 'Smith seems to say' implies you're not actually sure what Smith is saying, rather than that you don't think they're correct.

@GreenlandTheMovie Was a bit pissed but Re-read what you said.

I assume by proofreading & quality of discourse you mean asking colleagues/teachers/other students/anyone to give you ideas/info/actual analysis/ rewrite your paper. And I agree with you.

By proof reading I meant spellchecking/English to English American inconsistencies, did the ink run on that page. Did I type in insert reference and forget. Did I use an industry standard word and miss it from my abbreviations list. Was letter a not printing out for fuck knows reason. Did my page numbers not update. Did I miss a sentence to introduce some well know to architecture circles but not laymen.

You've been given all the advice you need but try not to fret OP. Ask as many questions of your lecturer as you need to be comfortable to do the work.

I got a first class masters without completing an undergraduate degree. I read hugely and widely and had a wonderful supervisor who was happy for me to use him as a sounding board. You can do this! Best of luck

@SarahAndQuack I think it's the hedging language that sounds uncertain, not the analysing of sources? Obviously in any academic discipline you do that. But hedging is bad writing, and saying 'Smith seems to say' implies you're not actually sure what Smith is saying, rather than that you don't think they're correct.

Yes, I know what you mean, hedging isn't the right word but you can be sure of what someone is saying and agree or disagree. But in Science you can certainly say Smith et al have this data which backs up x, but the data can also be read this way and so no full conclusion can be drawn for y subject matter. To be honest the way papers are written is very subject specific and goal driven.

I'd worry less about proofing a paper though than actually having the point of view that makes a paper.

Critical analysis is more about asking questions like A research states this and B research says that but:

Which is the higher regarded body of work?
What were the sample sizes?
What were the pros and cons to each methodology?
Where there funding, ethical, legal, professional standards, geographical, updates or controversies which guided outcomes?
How does each outcome stack up in real world situations?

After you have considered these example points and more then state which is more valid.

Definitely make use of workshops provided by the Uni. I’ve completed level 7 modules at three different Unis, and each one wanted different ways of writing critiquing articles. The one I’m currently at completely dismisses what I was taught at the one I first did my pgdip at. (Saying that, I do not rate the module leader for the module I’ve just done and feel it was more about how they personally preferred people to write than actually proper level 7 writing, I’ve literally had a disagreement on how to structure a sentence with the lecturer - but as their marking it, it has to be done their way. I’ve never come across a lecturer like it!)

I’d also recommended using a reference manager such as Mendeley too.

Just write it like an undergrad but make the sentences twice as long and add the words 'iterative' and 'pedagogy' every few lines. Boom! Distinction!

Absolutely don't do that.

I understand proof reading to be looking at sentence structure, syntax etc, could a lay reader understand it etc. I understand the risks of sharing with other students etc, I am presuming all classes will be online and as there as only a small number of students enrolling as this is a brand new course there will be less temptation to discuss/share ideas etc

@Gt345

Just write it like an undergrad but make the sentences twice as long and add the words 'iterative' and 'pedagogy' every few lines. Boom! Distinction!

Undergraduates who get very good marks (65+) would have no difficulties in progressing to masters level. What always astonishes me is those who ignore being asked to use Harbard referencing (for which they're provided with a guide to read and constantly reminded to use it). Some don't even bother to provide a bibliography at all! Some write on report form, although an essay is required, and so on.

I think there is a huge difference between subjects. In my subject, students need an "A" in English at A level to get onto the course, although it's not an arts subject. I also can't imagine anyone doing proof reading for free! It's highly competitive and also an area of professional practice where proof reading isn't possible and speed of accurate response is a key skill.

As for hedging, it depends on the thesis question. In some areas, it's appropriate to hedge, if a student is describing the status quo and potential problems that might arise.

Am in the last 4 months of my masters - happy to help

I always get my Mum to read my work to make sure it makes logical sense and for grammar and then my cohort (we all use each other) for suggested improvements (2hrs before deadline!)

I don’t know anything about nursing but for my masters course I used this book.

Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (Student Success)

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1412961823/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_V3PYP5W282KQJR8FWYDR?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Good for you OP.

I've applied to be a HV, there's the option of another level 6 or a level 7.
There's no way I have to balls to do a leave 7.

[quote lighteincastlewindow]**@SarahAndQuack* I think it's the hedging language that sounds uncertain, not the analysing of sources? Obviously in any academic discipline you do that. But hedging is bad writing, and saying 'Smith seems to say' implies you're not actually sure what Smith is saying, rather than that you don't think they're correct.*

Yes, I know what you mean, hedging isn't the right word but you can be sure of what someone is saying and agree or disagree. But in Science you can certainly say Smith et al have this data which backs up x, but the data can also be read this way and so no full conclusion can be drawn for y subject matter. To be honest the way papers are written is very subject specific and goal driven.

I'd worry less about proofing a paper though than actually having the point of view that makes a paper.[/quote]
Of course. I think that's entirely true of all subjects, isn't it?

But the poster who recommended hedging and suggested using the phrase 'Smith seems to say' is not talking about that, are they? They are talking about not expressing your point of view clearly, but trying to hide it. That's bad academic writing whatever the subject.