I am really struggling with my first MSc essay, please help

[Essaywritingblock]

It's really frustrating because I feel I have a good understanding of the topics in question, I know in principle how to write a good essay and I have read and reread the mark scheme, guidance notes etc etc but it is just not coming together how I'd like.

Part of the essay question is very broad and I'm really finding it hard to strike a balance between what to explain to show understanding, and being too descriptive. I know level 7 writing must involve own thought and critical analysis but I'm finding it hard to structure the essay around this as the first part of the question is to summarise a broad topi , which is leading me to tend to describe.

I'm even waffling here, which is annoying, because I know how to write concisely. I'm just praying for inspiration to strike as I keep starting over and running out of time (I do have a plan, but I'm not happy with it).

How little time are we talking?! It sounds like you’re becoming a bit overwhelmed with creating the “perfect” essay. Are you a perfectionist? The stress of this led me to deliberately choose modules that were assessed by exam! If I were you I’d just get the word count and the basics done so you know that you definitely have something to submit. Then start tinkering with it.

About two weeks. But working around the kids and with illnesses etc I never know how much time I'll have.

Yes, I probably am just desperate to get it "right". I've got most of the word count so at least as you say I'll have something, but at least a third will need significant alteration ie basically rewriting as I've changed direction a bit

I think I've got more of a plan now but need more reading to support the new emphasis, it feels never ending

I also wish there was an exam for this module!

It's really bloody hard to go back to study after a long gap. I suggest that you try writing it under timed conditions to push out a first draft. You can then spend time improving it later.

I know, it's horrendous isn't it! I've loved the learning but the writing of the essay is so stressful. I agree about the timed conditions. I've got a bit more reading to do now (and I've structured this like a comprehension exercise answering questions so hopefully that will provide some of the content I need) and will then pretend I'm in an exam to finish it.

Thanks for these kind comments by the way

You'll be fine, OP. The first one is probably the hardest, though I really struggled all the way through my master's tbh. Came out with a distinction in the end though, so I must have done something right!

Good luck!

"the first part of the question is to summarise a broad topic, which is leading me to tend to describe."

When you are summarising the topic, look for areas of contention, conflict, etc. Some people say x, but others say y, -what does this mean, what is the impact on understanding the topic?

Manchester Phrase Bank. It’ll help you tie sentences together and give good structure. Have a look at it

Have you read up on writing the critical paragraph for the main body of your essay? As soon as I understood the elements of writing a critical paragraph I could just hang all the points I needed together into it to make sense.
Lots of resources out there on how to construct one.

Manchester phrase bank is also brilliant for writing academically.

I used to write everything I thought down and then go back through and realise that half of it wasn’t relevant to the learning outcomes and often where I’d written a paragraph, a sentence would do.

Im a waffler; for a five thousand word assignment I’d usually write twelve thousand to start but because I was chilled about it it was dead easy and just flowed.

Thank you for all these really helpful suggestions. Thought I'd update for anyone else in the same position!

I've drafted much of my essay now although a few points are still sketched for me to hopefully complete properly tomorrow and I'm yet to tackle the abstract and conclusion.

The essay question is divided into two parts. I'm happy with part 1, but I'm really concerned that part 2 is completely from the wrong angle and that I need to totally rethink it to answer the question properly. I'm really struggling with the word count as I think I could write a dissertation after all the reading I've done to understand the topics, and think I need to mind map again tomorrow what really needs to go in as it all seems relevant. The plan seemed great until I started writing and found I needed about ten times as many words as we're allowed!

The worst bit is I've emailed two tutors and feel like I'm bothering them far too much, but I've read and reread all the guidance and my questions are really specific so I hope they don't mind. I've only got a few days left so really need to nail it tomorrow and just don't know if I can! I don't think I've ever worked so hard on something in my life and I'm fairly sure after my part 2 fiasco I'll get mediocre marks if that!

Go through and look at your sentences. Look for words that could be replaced by a single word. E.g. 'Because of this Therefore' It seems petty, but it can really help to cut the waffle and the word count.

Thank you, I will do that and it may save some words. I think the problem is really the examples I've chosen and how I'm presenting them, which made perfect sense on a plan but when squeezed into a tight word count appear to be the wrong approach. The more I think about it the more I think I've got it totally wrong . I'm going to spend today trying to turn it around to fit the question more somehow in a short space

How did you do, @Essaywritingblock?

Sorry, I didn't see that! In the end I got it done and got a high distinction, I was absolutely over the moon

Problem is I'm in the same position now with another assignment (not an essay this time) and I REALLY just can't get it together, I searched back to see how close I was to the deadline when I wrote this thread (not as close to the deadline as I am now!) doing so well before was a mixed blessing, as I will be so disappointed with the mark for this one and will be lucky to pass or even get anything at all if I can't get something down

It’s clear that you’re a high achiever who’s overthinking. It’s the pressure of the blank page and the high standards you set yourself. The problem is that you know how much information there is out there about the topic (whatever the topic!) and trying to get everything onto a page is terrifying. You let it get this close to the deadline because eventually the pressure of the deadline is greater than the fear of the page but you still feel like you’re going to fail. Tbh, you just have to get writing. I know that you think that what you’re writing is shit but it’s not, I promise. You’ve already proved that. The standard is much much lower than what you’ve decided it is in your head.
If you haven’t guessed I have this problem too ❤️

I think you are right but honestly, this is so hard. I know so much and just can't seem to synthesise it impactfully. It's not a written exercise this time which is hard to explain, but makes it harder to draft and then edit

I am doing it but it's so so slow and I honestly feel like I'm in assignment hell, and not engaging with my two beautiful small children as well or anything. I just cannot wait for it to be done somehow.

ETA I'm obviously not expecting to simultaneously engage with kids and work, I'm working over naptimes and evenings but it's on my mind constantly even when I'm with them otherwise