Skype discussion 16.04
Earlier today we had a skype call with a module one focus. There was only four of us in the discussion (all module one), Nicole, Naomi, Shanice and myself. I preferred having a smaller group today as we are all focusing on our essays right now and we got the chance to speak more. (Also I get really nervous when there's a large group!) We talked about our first drafts that we had all received feedback on, and Adesola gave us some great points to work on to improve our writing.
The main point was that at the beginning of our essays we need to explain what our "Professional practice" actually is. I think we all just assumed the reader would know we work or study in the arts and would be able to understand exactly what we discuss in our essays, but of course everyone's professional practice is unique to them. On the call we practiced summarising and explaining what our professional practice is in a couple of sentences, and Adesola explained how useful it is to have a well articulated way of explaining what we do.
Whilst planning and writing up my first draft my main focus was to answer the question "What have I learnt?", however after the discussion I know I now need to articulate how the theories in the module are integrated into my practice. The essay isn't just about showing that we've understood the module and the theories, but more about applying the module to my own personal practice. I've also realised that telling the reader what I think of the module probably isn't relevant or beneficial to what I would like to illustrate as a whole.
Some other feedback we got was:
The main point was that at the beginning of our essays we need to explain what our "Professional practice" actually is. I think we all just assumed the reader would know we work or study in the arts and would be able to understand exactly what we discuss in our essays, but of course everyone's professional practice is unique to them. On the call we practiced summarising and explaining what our professional practice is in a couple of sentences, and Adesola explained how useful it is to have a well articulated way of explaining what we do.
Whilst planning and writing up my first draft my main focus was to answer the question "What have I learnt?", however after the discussion I know I now need to articulate how the theories in the module are integrated into my practice. The essay isn't just about showing that we've understood the module and the theories, but more about applying the module to my own personal practice. I've also realised that telling the reader what I think of the module probably isn't relevant or beneficial to what I would like to illustrate as a whole.
Some other feedback we got was:
- Number each page on our essays
- Write the bibliography in alphabetical order
- Don't mix the appendix items with the bibliography (write them separately)
- Put quotes on their own line within your text
- Don't use quotes to substitute your own writing or to start a sentence, use them to explain or expand on a point you are making
I think our main worry now is trying to fit everything into 900-1100 words. I need to be succinct with what's in my head first and also synthesise my ideas with the theories in the module. I think I also need to accept the fact that my second draft will probably be very different to my first and I will have to make decisions on which pieces of information and points fit best with what I want to say as a whole, in order to stay within the word count.
Also if anyone is struggling with referencing this website is great and tells you exactly how to reference appropriately in line with the Harvard referencing system: https://www.citethemrightonline.com
All you have to do is log in with your unihub details and it almost does the job for you when you know exactly what kind of material you are using (e.g. a book, e-book, YouTube, newspaper articles etc).
I hope this helps anyone who missed the call!
Hi Rachel!
ReplyDeleteThis really helped me thank you! I agree that something I need to accept is my final draft may be totally different to my first draft - but that is a learning process for us both in its self.
Hope your essay is going well!
Laura x
Thanks Laura! Yes I think we need to actually talk more about ourselves regarding our own personal professional practice and then link the theories in after. Hope all is well x
DeleteHi Rachel, thank you this has helped me sooooo much! I am currently writing my second draft and am struggling to channel exactly what I want to discuss - I have had so many thoughts as the module has gone on it is hard to pick out the most important. How have you managed to channel exactly what you want to discuss whilst in keeping within the word limit? Sorry that question is quite vague! X
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my post has helped! In my first draft I was 'generally' talking about each module, but after going back and writing up a second draft I tried to be more specific. For each section I have tried to think of one thing I do in my professional practice where that section (e.g. reflection) is integrated within what I do and also how the theories in the module relate to what I do in my practice. Instead of thinking of the theories first and how my practice demonstrates them I've tried to reverse that by thinking about my professional practice first and how the theories are integrated within. Hope this helps (and makes sense?) x
DeleteAmazing, thank you so much. This has helped a lot - I had definitely been focusing on the theory first and then trying to make it fit into my practice. I will try out reversing (this makes so much more sense anyway!) Thanks for your help!! X
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