ABSTRACT
Many students throw away valuable marks because they choose to ignore three basic principles that create a favourable first impression in an essay. The principles are: do it by the book; don’t dismiss the value of a careful proofread and spellcheck; and learn the referencing system. Critical evaluation doesn’t mean ‘rip it to shreds’ and calling it ‘rubbish’. It’s not tabloid journalism. Instead, the theory’s strengths need to be balanced with its weaknesses. Also, a critical evaluation needs to use more than introductory textbooks. Team-work situations really test our stress-busting routines. A few deep breaths might not be enough. The Buddhist ‘Loving Kindness’ meditation is great for boosting compassion and patience. There’s a joke about a man who writes a letter and ends with an apology that the letter is too long, as he didn’t have time to write a shorter one. Good essays are as much about what we leave out as what we put in.
