Psych Essays - Common Mistakes

Sometimes the best way to learn how to do something is by examining your mistakes or the mistakes of others. Included below are some common mistakes made by students when writing essays.

1) Not answering the question
This is first as it is the worst mistake to make. If you don't answer the question that is asked you cannot pick up any marks. Make absolutely sure you address the essay question. One way to do this is to use the words of the question in your answer. A great way to do this is to use the question to structure the essay.

2) Going off topic
This is a milder form of the first point. Markers frequently receive essays that start off well but end up focussing on a side issue or essays that finish well but start with a lot of unnecessary background information. While the second case may sound odd it is easily the most common.
A common mistake that falls under the second case comes from Trait theory. Typically questions will ask students to cover one specific version of Trait Theory; The Big 5 for example.
Often students will begin by summarising the history of each theory that they know of.
While this demonstrates an understanding of the history of trait theory it does not demonstrate knowledge of the Big 5 except in the sections where the author is speaking about the Big 5.
While all of the information may be correct marks will only be available for the section addressing the Big 5.

3) Not including an introduction or conclusion
Introductions and conclusions are core structural components of essays. As such if you leave them out, strictly speaking, you haven't written an essay.
The bad news is it is extremely common to see an essay without an introduction, conclusion, or both. The good news is it is an easy fix.
Remember, the introduction introduces your topic to the reader and provides an outline of what the essay will cover.
The conclusion mirrors the introduction and summarises key points.

4) Not separating ideas into separate paragraphs
While this is structurally incorrect and will cost you marks for structure the importance goes beyond structure.
When separate ideas are presented in separate paragraphs the clarity of your argument increases.
You also end up encouraging yourself to develop each idea, development of ideas is typically where you gain marks.

5) Listing studies
While listing studies might be good in that it demonstrates that you have done some research it is far better to use the studies to develop an idea or make an argument.
Move beyond summarising individual studies.
Instead try to use a number of studies to make a single point.

6) Excessive Quoting
This is similar to the previous point.
If you quote someone you demonstrate an ability to copy and paste. You also end up restricting yourself in terms of structure and flow.
If you paraphrase instead you can mould and shape your argument and structure freely while demonstrating understanding. Remember, demonstrating understanding is usually they key to gaining marks.

7) Not Referencing
Essays are often assigned as a means of assessing your ability to research a specific topic.
References demonstrate that you have actually done research.
To make matters worse if you have done the research and integrated the ideas into your essay without referencing them you could be up for plagiarism.

8) Not Proofreading
Proofreading your essay will catch these mistkakes along with others (including spelling and grammar mistakes). If possible you should also get a second set of eyes to glance over your essay to ensure you haven't missed anything.