Essay planner workshops
For too many students, writing essays is a distressing experience and despite the volumes of information, websites and ‘how-to’ books out there, essay writing remains one of the most dreaded aspects of senior high school and university study.
In 2008, the Research Den, in partnership with the Co-op Bookshop, the UNSW Bookshop and the NSW Writers’ Centre, toured Australia on an Interactive Book Tour, running essay writing workshops in universities and high schools. Here’s what we found out:
- Students who get to university as competent essay writers say that they were given specific advice on how to write an essay in school.
- Those who miss the core skills development in senior school fumble through the HSC and (if they get to university), do the same in the tertiary setting.
- It’s embarrassing for students to admit to their teachers, parents and friends that they struggle with essay writing.
Based on The Night Before Essay Planner or High School Essay Planner, an Essay Planner Workshop will be tailored to your students' specific needs and provide them with a simple and effective way of approaching their essays.
Plan | Research | Write |
|
|
|
Students' Responses to Essay Writing Before and After a Workshop
Before the workshop I felt ... | Now I feel ... |
| Help me! | Heaps better. I feel like I can attempt my first essay now |
| Scared | Better |
| Okay, but neede help in certain areas | More confident |
| Lost, unsure | Confident and willing to give it a go |
| Pretty awful | Want to see if this actually works |
| Unsure | More confident |
| Confused | Clearer |
| Stressed | Awesome |
| Yikes! | Good, thank you |
| A little blind | Equipped |
| Awful - wanted to quit university | Better. Just need to stick to basics |
| Really nervous | Broke down any nerves |
| Uneasy. Scared to start | I have a starting point now |
| Worried | Better |
| Uneasy, not confident | All good! |
| Hesitant, lost, no direction | Easy to understand |
| A bit overwhelmed | Much more relaxed |
| A little worried | more confident |
| Not very confident | Ready to start my essay! |
