So I now have just under two 2 weeks
left to finish 4 assignments and I’m feeling pretty good about it, particularly
as two are basically finished.
This semester has gone by quickly for
me and that’s probably a good thing since I have no money and very little food
left. Anyway, since the assignment deadlines are getting so close I thought I’d
go through the steps of how I complete each of my assignments. It took me a
while to figure out in which way I work best (I didn’t have it perfected
throughout school and college) but now that I know getting work done is a lot
easier.
1. Knowing
what to do
My first step in beginning an
assignment is always going over what I have to do again as well as taking note
of the assessment criteria. From this I can usually develop a list of things
that need to be included in the assignment, as well as how to write it. Another
thing I do when I have a number of assignments is to list them in order of closest
to furthest due date. That way, the closer ones can be given more attention. Of
course, this only works if they’re a couple of weeks or more apart, obviously
that technique won’t work for ones that are one day after another.
2. Use
interests
This is a benefit of being a creative
writing student. For original writing pieces I decide based on what I like to
write obviously, for the presentation on an author I’ve chosen my favourite,
for my essay on a film I’ve chosen one of my favourites, and for any other
writing piece I’ve chosen stories I like. Of course, there are cases where I
need to find new stories as well and in that case I try to find ones that sound
interesting. Not only does this make the work more fun, but it usually makes it
easier to find things to write about as well.
3. Method
of writing
It can take some extra time writing
on paper only to have to copy it onto the computer, but if you’re like me and
find it easier to keep writing that way, it’s probably for the best. It’s also
best to then recycle the paper when you’re done with it.
4. Schedule
I hate to say it but it is a lot
easier to get work done when you have a schedule. Currently I’m not scheduling
in specific times for working on assignments but I am writing down which day
I’ll work on which assignments. This is just as effective for me because I tick
off each job as I do it and I hate to get to the end of the day with ticks
missing. I’ve been using the same method for housework too. Scheduling things
like this also makes it easier to space out each job, so I only have a few
tasks to do each day.
5. Plan
This is of course an important part
of any piece of work. I like detailed plans usually but this semester I’ve been
keeping it simple – bullet point planning for original pieces and short notes
for each other assignment.
6. Cut
assignments into smaller pieces
Trying to get everything done at once
is long and painful. I’ve found the easiest way to get things done is to split
the assignment into smaller parts. For example, my analysis of two short
stories is divided like this:
- Structure
- Characterisation
- Description
and dialogue
- Other
writing techniques
This is then done for each story. In
a later draft, these things will be compared as well.
7. 1st
draft
What I’ve learned this semester is
not to worry too much about the first draft. I put effort into it of course but
I make an effort to keep writing even if there’s a point I’m stuck on. This can
make it come out worse than I might like, but this is the best way of getting the
whole thing written and means I know what needs to be said, there just needs to
be a better way of saying it. The ‘bad’ parts can be fixed in the next draft.
8. Feedback
and following drafts
We only get class feedback on our
original pieces. I’ve been lucky this year in that I’ve only been given
constructive criticism so far. Not all of this needs to be included in the
final piece either of course, aside from the odd mistake it’s purely suggestion
(although a certain awesome person did give me a great ending for my story).
That’s why I prefer this kind of criticism, if I don’t agree with what
someone’s saying usually I can at least see where they’re coming from and if I
do agree well that just makes my work better. I like to do new drafts following
every feedback session as a result. Then, as with those that do not get class
feedback, they get looked at every few days. I’ve been lucky enough to get it
so that I only really have to focus on one assignment each day now. I like
leaving a few days between new redrafts as well because the time makes it
easier to spot things that should be changed. Plus if I have to read them too
much they start to bore me and make me hate my work.
So yeah, that’s pretty much it. With
the four assignments I have left to finish I’m hoping to hand them in early.
Well, I have to with those for the prose module because they’re due on the 17th
and I leave on the 13th. It’s good to get the work finished before its due date
though because I hate having to rush to get it finished, printed and handed in.
Luckily I’ve been avoiding that for the most part so far.
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