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Introduction to psychology/Psy102/Assessment/Essay/General feedback

< Introduction to psychology | Psy102 | Assessment | Essay

This page provides general feedback to students from the Psychology 102 essay markers and the unit convener. This is in addition to the Psychology 102 essay writing guidelines already provided.

Marking distribution

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  1. Average essay mark in Psy 101 = 60.8
  2. Average essay mark in Psy 102 = 65.7 (Range = 20 – 100)

Abstract (10%)

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  1. Good abstracts summarised argument, theory, research, and conclusions in ~150 words.
  2. Weaker abstracts tended to say what the essay would cover, without actually summarising the content
  3. Do not include citations
  4. Present on a separate page, following the title page

Argument (20%)

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  1. Answer all parts of the question/topic – don't just pick a couple of convenient examples or aspects
  2. Stay on topic – all information needs to be relevant, current and appropriately detailed
  3. Viewpoint should be clear, based on literature presented
  4. Evidence for both sides of the argument is needed – how else can you reach a logical and concise conclusion?
  5. Introduce the topic and establish the importance
  6. State the argument and summarise main ideas
  7. Define/explain technical terms
  8. Answer the question and stay on topic
  9. Main points should follow clearly
  10. Summarise main points

Theory (20%)

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  1. Some essays didn't present any theory
  2. Some essays only presented one theory
  3. Some essays critically examined several relevant theories

Research (20%)

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  1. Link the evidence you provide to your argument – ask “so what?”
  2. Critically evaluate
  3. It is stronger to summarise a body of research than to simply describe a small number of studies in detail

Presentation (20%)

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  1. Use APA style
  2. Use in-text citations
  3. Write in your own words – avoid overuse of direct quotes
  4. Write in third person (not I, me, we, us, our, you, your etc.)
  5. Avoid colloquial language
  6. Subjects - use participants

References (10%)

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  1. Reference all ideas that are not your own work (Ask yourself “how do I know this?”)
  2. Use peer-reviewed sources (journal articles and edited book chapters)
  3. Every citation in essay must be in your reference list and vice versa

Other tips

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  1. Follow APA format
  2. Review the marking criteria again before you submit your essay
  3. Get someone to proofread
  4. Read it aloud to yourself
  5. Don’t leave it to the last minute
  6. Ask for help – e.g., Academic Skills and Health Learning Resource Centre

General feedback about all topics

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Good essays tended to...
  1. Explain more than one theory
  2. Provide well-selected and well-placed in-text citations to support argument and claims.
  3. Present a balanced and objective interpretation of available evidence and theory.
  4. Integrate discussion of theory and research evidence.
  5. 10 or more peer-reviewed references, including the starting references from ereserve and independently researched sources
  6. Use only primary citations.
  7. Provide an Abstract which accurately summarised the content of the essay.
  8. Adopt APA style.
  9. Have few spelling, grammar, and written expression errors.
  10. Use few, if any, direct quotes.
Less good essays tended to...
  1. Explain no theories or only one theory
  2. Lack in-text citations to support argument and claims.
  3. Overstate claims and to lack a balanced and objective interpretation of available evidence and theory.
  4. Less than 10 peer-reviewed references.
  5. Overuse secondary citations.
  6. Provide a vague Abstract which did not provide a sufficiently detailed summary of the content of the essay.
  7. Not adopt APA style.
  8. Have several spelling, grammar, and written expression errors.
  9. Overuse direct quotes.

General feedback about specific topics

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