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

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

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

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

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

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

Explain more than one theory
Provide well-selected and well-placed in-text citations to support argument and claims.
Present a balanced and objective interpretation of available evidence and theory.
Integrate discussion of theory and research evidence.
10 or more peer-reviewed references, including the starting references from ereserve and independently researched sources
Use only primary citations.
Provide an Abstract which accurately summarised the content of the essay.
Adopt APA style.
Have few spelling, grammar, and written expression errors.
Use few, if any, direct quotes.

Explain no theories or only one theory
Lack in-text citations to support argument and claims.
Overstate claims and to lack a balanced and objective interpretation of available evidence and theory.
Less than 10 peer-reviewed references.
Overuse secondary citations.
Provide a vague Abstract which did not provide a sufficiently detailed summary of the content of the essay.
Not adopt APA style.
Have several spelling, grammar, and written expression errors.
Overuse direct quotes.