Has a tutor ever put a comment on one of your essays suggesting that your writing is ‘too descriptive’, or ‘not critical enough’? It is a very common experience, but the difference between these two kinds of writing is not always clear.
You will almost certainly already be expert at writing descriptively. However, sooner rather than later in your course, you may want to develop skills for writing in both descriptive and critical ways. Generally speaking, it is critical thinking and critical writing that tends to attract positive comments and higher marks from your tutors.
The ASC offers confidential appointments for all masters students to help you develop strategies to improve your general academic writing skills. To make an appointment please complete the attached form and mail it to asc@contacts.bham.ac.uk including details of when you are available and the type of support you would like.
Prior to the appointment we would like you to complete a reflection plan. Please note that we cannot look at more than one paragraph of unsubmitted work. Therefore, please bring with you any work that you have already submitted and the feedback you have received from your Tutor. This feedback will help us to identify the strategies that you need to develop in order to improve your work.