Both native and non-native English speakers often encounter problems with writing good academic essays. This underscores the fact that no one is born with the skill of essay-writing and everyone needs some form of coaching to crack the nut.
Fortunately, LSE LIFE and LSE Language Centre have a number of programmes aimed at improving students’ writing skills. I signed up for a number of them and have started reaping the benefits.
Curious about what kind of essays impress LSE professors, I signed up for the weekly academic writing course in Michaelmas Term. We were taught how to structure an essay, dividing it into introduction, body and conclusion and what each component should contain. We were also schooled on how to quote, paraphrase and synthesise correctly. The writing course continues in Lent Term with topics on dissertation writing and exam preparations.
Also, students are permitted to send in their essays for feedback before they are officially submitted to professors for grading. This second and expert opinion can just be the difference between a merit and distinction essay.
There are also drop-in sessions at LSE LIFE where students are accompanied to find solutions to their particular difficulties. They help evaluate essay questions and suggest what LSE professors expect to see in the essays. Recently I discussed one of my essays in a one-on-one session and with a Royal Literary Fund Fellow working with the Language Centre who gave me feedback on my writing skills.
There are also workshops on presentation skills, building arguments and critical writing. The instructors are quite patient and ready to answer questions and listen to your observations. Feel free to discuss your difficulties and confusions - you will be amazed at how beneficial it is.
Some of my professors have sent in their provisional grade on my summative essays and I cannot thank LSE LIFE and LSE Language Centre enough for being part of my unfolding success story.
It’s not too late to register, contact the Language Centre and LSE LIFE today!
Photos and words by LSE Social Media Ambassador Victor Agboga.