difference between essay and coursework

The Difference between an Essay and Coursework

Believe it or not, all of the assignments, class work, and exams you'll need to complete in order to pass a class are not defined as torture. Taken together, they're simply defined as coursework, and its purpose is to help you learn and prove that you've learned what you're supposed to, no matter how torturous it may feel at the time.

What can be Defined as an Essay?

An essay is a short, informative piece of writing with an introductory paragraph, three or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Using the four types of essays (persuasive, narrative, expository, or descriptive) a writer presents a topic and convinces a reader to see it their way, tells a story about it, gives information about it, or describes it to a reader.

What can be Defined as Coursework?

All of the work required when taking a class is considered coursework. Reading sections from a textbook, answering questions about it, writing an essay about your thoughts on it, and taking a test that proves you understood it are all different examples of coursework.

Teachers and professors create a plan for teaching their course by laying out what coursework they'll ask students to do. In college courses, that plan is written out in a syllabus that lets a student know what will be expected of them during the course and how their grades will be determined based on their performance of that coursework.

What's the Point?

The point of an essay is to inform readers through a short piece of writing on a particular topic using a common writing style. Sometimes, an essay's intent is to persuade, sometimes the writer tries to provoke an emotional reaction, and sometimes they just want to present the facts, allowing readers can draw their own conclusions.

The point of coursework is to help students learn and to show that they understand what they've learned. Each piece may be weighted differently in terms of their importance to determining a student's grade, but all coursework is usually considered important in completing a class.

Teachers and professors often use different mediums as part of their required coursework to increase student learning. Some students learn best by reading, some by listening, and some by applying what they've learned in their writing. For that reason, the different types of coursework required in individual classes may vary widely.

Course vs Coursework: Meaning And Differences

When it comes to education, the terms “course” and “coursework” are often used interchangeably. However, they have distinct meanings and it’s important to understand the difference between the two.

We should clarify that both words are proper and can be used appropriately depending on the context.

A course refers to a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject, often leading to a qualification or certification. It can be taken in person or online and may include assignments, exams, or projects to assess learning.

On the other hand, coursework typically refers to the specific assignments, projects, or essays that are completed as part of a course. It is the practical work that students must complete in addition to attending lectures or lessons.

Understanding the difference between these two terms is essential for anyone pursuing education or looking to communicate effectively about their academic experiences.

In the following sections, we will explore the nuances between courses and coursework, including how they differ in terms of structure, purpose, and assessment.

Define Course

A course is a unit of study offered by an educational institution that typically lasts for a specific period of time and leads to the attainment of a degree, diploma, or certificate. It is a structured program of learning that covers a particular subject or topic and is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to succeed in their chosen field.

Courses can be offered in a variety of formats, including online, in-person, or hybrid models. They can range in length from a few weeks to several months or even years, depending on the level of study and the requirements of the program. Courses can also be categorized into different levels, such as introductory, intermediate, or advanced, depending on the complexity of the subject matter.

Define Coursework

Coursework refers to the assignments, projects, and assessments that students are required to complete as part of a course. It is the practical application of the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and is designed to assess a student’s understanding of the subject matter.

Coursework can take many forms, including essays, reports, presentations, exams, and practical tasks. It is typically graded and contributes to a student’s overall grade or GPA. Coursework can also be used to develop a student’s research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Coursework can be completed individually or in groups, and can be submitted in various formats, such as hard copy, online, or through a learning management system. It is an integral part of the learning process and is designed to help students apply what they have learned in a practical and meaningful way.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Proper usage of words is essential in any form of writing, especially when it comes to academic writing. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “course” and “coursework” correctly in a sentence.

How To Use “Course” In A Sentence

The word “course” has multiple meanings, but when used in the context of education, it refers to a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject. Here are some examples of how to use “course” correctly:

• I am taking a course in biology this semester.
• The course on Shakespearean literature was very challenging.
• She completed her course on web design with flying colors.

As seen in the examples above, “course” is used to refer to a specific class or subject of study. It is important to note that “course” can also refer to a path or direction, such as in the following sentence:

• The hurricane changed course and headed towards the east coast.

How To Use “Coursework” In A Sentence

The word “coursework” refers to the assignments and tasks that students are required to complete as part of a course. Here are some examples of how to use “coursework” correctly:

• The professor assigned a lot of coursework for the semester.
• She spent all weekend working on her coursework for the marketing class.
• His coursework in physics included several lab reports and a research paper.

As seen in the examples above, “coursework” is used to refer to the various assignments and tasks that are part of a course. It is important to note that “coursework” is a non-count noun, meaning that it cannot be pluralized.

More Examples Of Course & Coursework Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between course and coursework, it is important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples of how both words can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Course In A Sentence

• She is currently taking a course on digital marketing.
• The golf course was in pristine condition for the tournament.
• He had to drop out of the course due to scheduling conflicts.
• The university offers a wide range of courses in various subjects.
• After completing the course, she received a certificate of completion.
• The new employee had to go through a training course before starting work.
• The history course was taught by a renowned professor.
• The online course was accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
• The course material was challenging but informative.
• He decided to audit the course instead of receiving a grade.

Examples Of Using Coursework In A Sentence

• Her coursework in college focused on environmental science.
• The final grade for the class was based on coursework and a final exam.
• He spent hours each night working on his coursework for the MBA program.
• The coursework included a research project and a group presentation.
• She struggled to keep up with the coursework in her advanced math class.
• The coursework for the online degree program was completed entirely online.
• He was able to transfer some of his previous coursework to the new university.
• The coursework was designed to be completed over a 12-week period.
• She received a high grade on her coursework for the architecture class.
• The coursework for the nursing program included both classroom and clinical components.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the terms course and coursework, many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of each other. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using “Course” To Refer To A Specific Assignment Or Project

One common mistake people make is using the word “course” to refer to a specific assignment or project. For example, saying “I have a course due tomorrow” instead of “I have coursework due tomorrow.” The word “course” refers to the entire class or program of study, while “coursework” refers to the individual assignments and projects within that class.

Mistake #2: Using “Course” As A Synonym For “Program”

Another mistake is using “course” as a synonym for “program.” For example, saying “I’m enrolled in a business course” instead of “I’m enrolled in a business coursework program.” The word “course” refers to a single class, while “coursework” refers to the entire program of study.

Mistake #3: Using “Coursework” To Refer To A Single Class

On the flip side, some people make the mistake of using “coursework” to refer to a single class. For example, saying “I have to study for my coursework” instead of “I have to study for my calculus course.” Coursework refers to the assignments and projects within a class, while “course” refers to the class itself.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Be mindful of the context in which you are using these words.
• Double-check your usage of “course” and “coursework” to ensure that you are using the correct term.
• If in doubt, consult a dictionary or style guide for clarification.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the terms “course” and “coursework,” the context in which they are used can play a significant role. While both terms are related to education and learning, they have distinct differences that can affect how they are used in different situations.

A course is typically defined as a series of classes or lectures on a specific subject, usually taken by students in pursuit of a degree or certification. It can also refer to a specific subject or topic of study, such as a math course or a literature course. In this context, the term “course” is often used to refer to a structured program of study that has a clear beginning and end.

For example, a college student might enroll in a biology course as part of their degree program. The course would consist of a series of lectures, assignments, and exams that are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. In this context, the term “course” is appropriate because it refers to a specific program of study that has a clear structure and purpose.

Coursework, on the other hand, refers to the assignments, projects, and other tasks that are assigned to students as part of a course. It can include everything from written essays to lab reports to group projects. In this context, the term “coursework” is often used to refer to the practical work that students are expected to complete as part of their studies.

For example, a student enrolled in a biology course might be assigned coursework that includes conducting experiments in a lab, writing research papers on specific topics, and giving presentations on their findings. In this context, the term “coursework” is appropriate because it refers to the practical work that is assigned to students as part of their studies.

Contextual Examples

The choice between course and coursework can depend on the context in which they are used. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between course and coursework might change:

• Academic Setting: In an academic setting, the term “course” is often used to refer to a specific program of study, while “coursework” is used to refer to the practical work that is assigned to students as part of that program.
• Professional Setting: In a professional setting, the term “course” might be used to refer to a training program or workshop, while “coursework” might be used to refer to the specific assignments or projects that are assigned as part of that training.
• Online Learning: In an online learning environment, the term “course” might be used to refer to a self-paced program of study, while “coursework” might be used to refer to the specific assignments or projects that are assigned as part of that program.

Overall, the choice between course and coursework can depend on the context in which they are used. Understanding the differences between these terms can help you communicate more effectively in different educational and professional settings.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using course and coursework are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

1. Colloquial Language

When speaking informally or using colloquial language, the rules for using course and coursework may not be as strict. In these cases, it is more important to convey your meaning clearly than to adhere to strict grammar rules.

For example, in casual conversation, it is acceptable to say “I’m taking a course in history” or “I have a lot of coursework to do this semester,” even if technically the word “coursework” should only be used to refer to the assignments and projects associated with a course.

2. Regional Differences

There may be regional differences in the use of course and coursework. In some areas or dialects, one word may be used more frequently or in a slightly different way than in others.

For example, in British English, the word “coursework” is more commonly used to refer to the assignments and projects associated with a course, while in American English, the word “coursework” may also be used to refer to the entire course itself.

3. Technical Jargon

In certain fields or industries, there may be technical jargon or specific terminology that uses the words course or coursework in a different way than the general rules dictate.

For example, in the field of education, the term “course of study” may be used to refer to the specific classes and requirements for a degree program, rather than to individual courses. In this context, the word “course” would not be interchangeable with “coursework.”

4. Idiomatic Expressions

There are also some idiomatic expressions that use the words course or coursework in a non-literal way. These expressions may not follow the usual rules for using the words.

For example, the phrase “stay the course” means to persevere or continue on a particular path, even in the face of obstacles or challenges. This usage of the word “course” is not related to a specific academic class or program.

While the rules for using course and coursework may seem simple, there are exceptions to keep in mind. In some cases, colloquial language, regional differences, technical jargon, or idiomatic expressions may cause the words to be used in a different way than the general rules dictate.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of course and coursework is through practice exercises. These exercises will help you to apply the concepts you have learned and to identify any areas where you may need further clarification.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete the following sentences with either course or coursework:

• After completing the ______, students will receive a certificate of completion.
• He decided to change his major halfway through his ______.
• She is currently enrolled in a ______ on business writing.
• The ______ of study for this degree program is four years.
• The professor assigned a new ______ each week.

Answer Key:

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence:

• ______ is the material that is covered in a class.
• b. coursework
• ______ refers to the specific assignments and projects that are completed in a class.
• Which of the following is an example of coursework?
• a. Attending lectures
• b. Taking quizzes
• c. Writing a research paper
• d. All of the above

By completing these practice exercises, you will be able to improve your understanding and use of course and coursework. Remember to always refer back to the definitions and examples provided to ensure that you are using these terms correctly in your writing and communication.

In conclusion, the difference between course and coursework is significant and should not be overlooked. While a course refers to a series of classes or lectures on a particular subject, coursework is the work assigned to students as part of the course. It is essential to understand this difference to avoid confusion and use the terms correctly.

Moreover, the proper use of grammar and language is crucial in any form of writing, whether academic or professional. It is essential to pay attention to the details and nuances of the language to convey the intended message effectively.

Therefore, readers are encouraged to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve their writing skills. There are numerous resources available online, such as grammar guides, style manuals, and writing courses, that can help individuals enhance their language skills.

Key Takeaways

• A course refers to a series of classes or lectures on a particular subject.
• Coursework is the work assigned to students as part of the course.
• The difference between course and coursework is significant and should not be overlooked.
• The proper use of grammar and language is crucial in any form of writing, whether academic or professional.
• Readers are encouraged to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve their writing skills.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.

The main differences between the essay and coursework

First-year students do not always understand the difference between the various types of academic papers is, what to focus on when writing them. In this article, we will compare essays and coursework, and talk about the peculiarities of their writing and defense.

The essay and the coursework

The essay – is a message on a given scientific or another topic, which is a summary of information taken from magazines, textbooks, various publications, articles, studies, special literature, and other sources, united by a common theme.

Coursework – a research paper on a topic set by the supervisor, where in addition to the theoretical part, which is concise structured information, there are conclusions of the author based on his thoughts and analysis. In addition, coursework is usually different from the abstract in the presence of a practical, calculated-graphic, or reporting part, confirming the conclusions of the author.

So, the main difference between the two is that:

• for the essay, the student is required to find theoretical information in various sources on a predetermined topic with existing conclusions and combine it into a logically structured text;
• for the coursework, in addition to similar processing found material, it is necessary to make its analysis, present your thoughts, conduct practical research (calculations) on the topic under study, and make your conclusions based on them. There is a creative component to the process.

Criteria for difference, list

There are both similarities and differences between the coursework and the essay.

The similarity is that both are written scientific works and when writing them it is necessary to follow some general rules. The difference between them is that they have a fundamental difference in:

• the author’s position;
• the structure (the way of presenting information);

Procedures for defending coursework and essays are also different. The deadlines for writing these academic papers are also different. Since writing an essay is a relatively uncomplicated task, it is easy to cope in a day or two. Writing coursework requires a more serious approach and preparation, it is better to work on it gradually, over several weeks.

The focus of the work

The purpose of the essay – is to carry out theoretical and analytical systematization of the information found on a given topic. The main task – is to arrange logically the data in such a way that they can be used for further work.

The point of writing an essay is to demonstrate the actual problem to be able to discuss ways to solve it in the future or to confirm scientific facts. This type of work does not require a statement of the subjective opinion of the author. But in some cases (for example, when considering contradictory hypotheses) elements of analysis are allowed.

The purpose of the coursework is to conclude a given topic based on the available information. The task is to demonstrate one’s ability to analyze data and conduct research activities. The point of writing a coursework is to justify the possibility of applying the researched scientific topic in practice with the obligatory presentation of the author’s position.

Here the author not just logically builds scientific information, but also applies theoretical knowledge in experimental conditions, and confirms them with practical calculations and conclusions.

The volume of the work

One of the key differences in the volume of these works. Since the essay is a simpler work, its volume is less than that of coursework:

Usually, the recommended size of the essay is from 15 to 20 pages, if the teacher did not limit it to other frameworks. In less than 15 pages you are unlikely to be able to fully disclose the topic, given that the specified volume includes a list of references for about 2 pages.

The size of the coursework is about twice as big. When writing it is recommended to stick to the volume of 30 to 45 pages, if the supervisor is not given other parameters. Coursework of more than 50 pages is already closer to the diploma project. The briefer and concise you learn to state the main ideas, the easier it will be to prepare for the defense of the coursework. Since the work is extremely hard to do and present, many students turn to write my essay service for help.

Defending an essay and coursework

The process of defending an essay consists of partially reading it out loud. It is necessary to pay special attention to the main theses. About 5 minutes are given for this. The main purpose of the teacher – is to understand what level of work with sources the student has, whether he could find all the necessary information and whether he could structure it logically and correctly.

Does the work correspond to the assigned volume and the announced topic? How accessible and interesting is the material? Is the topic fully covered? Is the work written carelessly, or did the student put maximum effort? On this basis, it is recommended that the student carefully rehearse his presentation, not to delay and emphasize the fundamental points.

The process of defending coursework is its presentation. It is necessary to acquaint the members of the commission with all the components of the scientific work, tell about the work done, demonstrate practical materials, and focus on the conclusions. The time for this is from 5 to 10 minutes.

Unlike the abstract, the purpose of writing a term paper is to demonstrate the student’s research skills. In-depth research and new scientific discoveries are not required. The student needs to show that he or she can analyze both theoretical and practical information and make his or her conclusions based on it.

How to Write a Coursework

Coursework projects do not resemble essays, research papers, or dissertations. They are the combination of all three. Students spend less time writing coursework than on making a term paper, but this type of work requires more time and efforts than an ordinary essay - it is made of several essays. Thanks to our guide, each student can discover how to write coursework. If you are running out of time or lack experience to complete the specific coursework, we recommend using our coursework writing services to hire professional academic writers.

What is Coursework and Why Does It Matter?

Coursework definition: General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) coursework is a typical academic assignment, given in the course of study to evaluate the student’s knowledge, skills, and identify the final grade. Many students face this type of writing in the US colleges. One of the examples is a coursework UTD (The University of Texas at Dallas) - the requirements of this institution are strict, and many students fail to submit their papers and pass the corresponding courses.

Such type of assignment helps to have the ‘detective’ hat on: a student observes, examines, and evaluates the chosen topic using credible, up-to-date, and relevant sources. Working under controlled conditions is important. Participating in every school class will help to prepare good coursework by the end of the term. Take a look at the examples of what students of various profiles may face:

• English Composition - English coursework is an extended essay in most cases. A student has a right to pick the topic. The tutors provide their students with the list of recommended titles to choose from, sources to observe & analyze, and a format (e.g., a comparison between different relevant articles)
• Sciences - coursework for science is a complicated assignment. Such type of work appears in the form of a scientific paper to test what a writer investigates and reports independently.
• Geography - geography coursework is about collecting, reporting, and explaining information to reply to a certain geographical question or offer solutions to the problem. One idea is to explore the usage of a shopping mall or analyze the recent tornado. No matter whether you have to prepare a coursework Columbia or such paper for other educational institutions, keep in mind these differences!

Types of Coursework Explained

English Language coursework is the most common type of this assignment. At advanced GCE level, the student will be expected to write a couple of essays, totaling 3,000 words. Every assignment is 20 marks maximum.

An analytical essay : Evaluate, compare, & contrast 3 different sources of data interconnected by a common theme; written /spoken / multimedia content. Discuss different uses for targeting various audiences. Learn more on our blog.

Original essay with a supportive commentary : A student will have to come up with a single piece of media writing in the observed modes (written, spoken, or multimodal). Add a supporting piece with details about the aspects of English language. English Language & Literature coursework is a bit different. The basic requirements are the same, and the parts are:

An analytical study : Sharing an analysis of the chosen piece and its relation to the related content. It will show how well the writer understands the original piece. Tutors grade such works based on the:

• Use of the proper terminology and the coherence of the written words;
• Understanding & evaluation of the way a structure, form, and language create the written & spoken word;
• Opportunity to observe relationships between various pieces of writing.

Creative writing & commentary : Produce a creative piece that imitates the style of the assessed text. Share comments to backup your understanding. The goal is to show the knowledge, prove the competence, and use appropriate language skills in communicating with the target audience. You will also need a relevant coursework resume (review) in both cases. Keep on reading to learn how to write coursework of A level.

How to Write a Coursework: Guide for Students

Several factors may lead to the coursework being disqualified. It is a serious matter! The risk factors include:

• Plagiarism - it is the worst thing that could happen to any type of academic assignment. Lots of relevant information is available on the world wide web today, and the tutors are strict about the issue of plagiarism. Write everything in your own words! If you decide to insert the quotes from the sources, apply the suggested citation format and develop a list of references. Sign the declaration claiming it is your original project. If you're unsure about how to approach this, seeking professional help by choosing to write my coursework can be a wise decision.
• Word count - do not ignore the specific requirements concerning the length of the coursework. Specify if the footnotes, appendices, & references are included in the word count.
• Topics - go through the list of available themes. If there is an examination planned on the specific topic, try to pick another idea for the coursework.
• Tutor’s assistance - do not ignore the help of your instructor, ask them to provide guidance on what to write. Ask the questions to learn more details, but keep in mind they can go through the 1st draft once and just offer some general recommendations.

Choosing a Topic for Your Project

Dedicate enough time to this extra important question. Select the field of your interest if it is possible to relate it to the course. That is the golden rule of choosing a coursework topic - keep in mind the rest of the hints:

• Analyze the offered list of topics or develop yours
• Pick a topic from the area of your expertise related to the studied subject
• Select the topic you are interested in
• Choose the topic you’ve started to observe in the past
• Check how much relevant, up-to-date information is available on the Internet about each of the topics
• Pick what you can measure, change, & control (they call it a ‘fair test’)
• Use the ideas of previous researchers and students
• Do not choose a topic with a vast scope - you risk struggling to research it correctly

10 Good Coursework Topics

• Non-traditional Forms of Poetry with TC Tolbert
• Documentary Foundations: Usage of Oral Histories with Beth Alvarado
• Traditional Forms of Poetry
• Hermit Crabs: Type of Fiction
• Writing the Autobiographical Poem
• Creative Non-Fiction on the Examples of New Journalists
• Authors without Borders
• Writing the Sticky Stuff
• Socially Engaged Literary Arts
• Common Vocabulary

Research & Data Collection

Research is an integral part of coursework. Have you written research papers before? If yes, you will find it easier to select proper primary & secondary sources and gather the necessary information (evidence to support the main point - thesis). Depending on the required paper format, cite & reference the following sources:

• Books & e-Books

Base the project on a specific hypothesis. The research must start with minimum one hypothesis. The research stage for some topics may consist of visiting websites to collect information. Leave another time for collecting the data as it is the heart of the research. Three methods of data collection are known:

• Direct personal investigation : The one an author does individually (using literature and findings from previous studies);
• Interview/Questionnaire : The researcher should gather the data from the respondents asking questions regarding required data;
• Discussion with community leaders : Community leaders are approached to fetch information for the necessary data.

In case a student works on a scientific experiment, they should pay attention to planning the analysis with the help of rigorous scientific methods (keeping in mind the Health & Safety precautions you take). Review background information and theories. Take notes to express what you expect to occur to compare & contrast it to what happened in real life. In the write-up stage, one has to evaluate and present the findings.

Writing a Coursework Outline

The writing process follows the research. Do not start it without preparing an action plan and scheduling the work - a paper pin for English coursework is based on an extended essay . An outline will look different for the science coursework projects. The goal of creating a plan is to prevent a writer from being disorganized and waffling.

Let us explain coursework outline on the specific example - a project on the global pursuit of lower costs and the role of human rights.

Start with the brief introduction explaining why it might be a topic of interest for many people. Mention those vast corporations like Wal-Mart abuse human rights by choosing and using child labor in the factories.

Provide an overview of the problem . Define human rights and costs. Pick the definitions from the official dictionaries and cite them properly when inserting in the text. Try to explain the terms in your own words.

Develop a body of the coursework , start with the case for & against ethical business practices. Using evidence and examples, list the arguments supporting ethical business practices and another side of the coin. Include a business case for ethical practices after the opening body paragraph.

Move to discussing ethical responsibilities ; explain why business organizations should care about the ethical aspects of their activities. After three sections of the body, one can conclude the paper. It can be a good idea to share a fact or statistics stressing the importance of research problem in the essay conclusion. End up with the reference list that may look this way:

• Klein N (2000) No Logo (Flamingo, London)
• Marcousé I, Gillespie A, Martin B, Surridge M and Wall N (2003) Business Studies 2e (Hodder Arnold, Oxon)
• Royal Dutch Shell (2006) 4th Quarter Financial Report at (site example)

Additional Elements

Supporting materials and pictures are a must! The sciences & geography projects require tables, charts, graphs, and other types of images to illustrate the complicated topic. Not only should you add the pictures - it is essential to interpret and reference each of them. A separate part of the coursework where the student list and explains every visual element is Appendix , and it is an optional part. The presence of appendix increases the chances to earn an A+.

How to Write an Introduction for Coursework?

Most of the students underestimate the role of introduction & conclusion when it comes to writing an essay. An eye-catchy introduction is a key to success. The primary purposes of a coursework introduction are:

• To grab the reader’s attention
• To introduce the topic
• To explain the research importance
• To come up with a compelling thesis statement

The opening paragraph shows the depth of the writer’s acquaintance with the topic. Look at the expert tips below. They will help to learn how to write a coursework introduction to make the tutor want to read your entire paper.

What Is an Introduction?

The introduction of GCSE coursework is the opening paragraph that aims to interpret the central questions and purposes of the entire paper. It should have several elements to be effective. Those are:

• A hook sentence
• Background information
• Problem significance
• Solid thesis statement

Advice from our Experienced Writer

How to write an introduction to coursework? The quality of this part predetermines paper’s success. Look at some common mistakes writers do while working on the coursework introduction - try to prevent them!

Ignoring the prompt. Many students tend to neglect the tutor’s instructions. It is critical to read the prompt several times, highlight the main points, research question, rules, and grading rubric details.

Missing a plan. The prompt does not always say to develop a coursework outline. Without a plan for every separate section, it is impossible to write a flawless piece step-by-step. No matter whether you have to write a term paper, research paper, dissertation, or C3 coursework, get ready with the detailed plan. Once you understand how to write an introduction, it will be easier to develop the rest of the paper.

For those who need a helping hand in ensuring their work meets all the standards and deadlines, don't hesitate to buy coursework from trusted professionals.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Maximizing your academic success through strategic writing techniques.

Differences between an essay and coursework

Fundamentally, both essays and coursework aim to persuade the reader (i.e. the marker) of an idea based on evidences presented by the student. However, the main difference between the two is that coursework is traditionally longer than essays, requiring detailed information and evidence based on the subject or topic. Regardless, both of the varying formats are crucial in every university degree, as coursework can either be practical based testing or written based. With prior knowledge and understanding of how to approach both essays and coursework assignments, it can be easier to navigate, especially if you have the added pressure of wanting to perform outstandingly in obtaining a University degree. With that being said, I aim to demonstrate and show ways with which you can go about writing essays and coursework to the best of your potential, coinciding with efficient ways to conduct such assessments as (first word of advice), it is always important to start early and solidify a plan in your head prior to writing.

Before writing an essay or coursework

Understandably, some people who approach university essays and coursework love to just get straight into the action and type whatever thoughts come into their head, and for those people, it might work to an extent, but for most people, it is essential to plan prior to writing any educational material that will be heavily scrutinised and marked. Whenever you start an essay, it is always important to read thoroughly the marking criteria, assessment brief and question at hand, as it formulates in your head ideas and approaches which you want to take naturally, matched with specific academic sources you wish to use. However, it needs to be noted that this is not a one-off thing; reading these three crucial parts of an essay or coursework specification over and over helps develop an understanding of what the examiner is looking for. Furthermore, specific ideas which you would not have thought of after reading it over once could appear after reading it ten times, which ultimately could increase your mark. After doing this, creating an outline stating how you will approach an essay or coursework could be useful. Helpful key components that every essay and coursework looks for stem from lecture materials blended with external academic sources (which we will discuss later). So basing your ideas and approach around key module concepts, which align with the question, is essential, as it shows you are collaborating what you have learned internally with your assignments. Outlines also tend to focus on separating the components of the question into different sections; this way, your brain will automatically have a systematic approach with a guideline when writing each section of the question. Remember, everything has to link back to the question!!! Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash

During writing an essay or coursework

Firstly, in any university-assessed format, establishing a clear structure is vital to obtaining high marks. Traditionally in coursework, lecturers and the university help demonstrate the intended structure, but if you are still unclear on any coursework you have, the academic skills centre, linked here can be of use; https://www.dundee.ac.uk/academic-skills . That being said, generally, in most essays… Structure - Establish a clear and engaging title which links briefly to what you are saying. Introduction - Highlight what the question is asking from you and reaffirmed by a statement of intent. Also, always include the aim of the essay, the argument taken and the overall conclusion Main Body - Provide context to the question (briefly) and be selective and concise about the knowledge you wish to use. Similarly, create interpretations which are thought-provoking and somewhat unique to yourself whilst gauging other viewpoints to demonstrate your ability to understand contrasting arguments. It is also essential to provide theory to relevant areas to demonstrate a link between academic areas. Conclusion - Conclude with an overall judgement you have come to from your learning throughout the essay and round up all the key points made within the essay. Granted that this structure of an essay is relatively vague at first glance, the point behind academic writing is to continually improve your abilities over time which is why it is essential to listen and read feedback lecturers provide after every assessment. Similarly, there are, what I would call ‘tricks of the trade’ when writing academic pieces of work which are established over time. So, the overriding message would be to stay patient because you will eventually get there !!!

‘Tricks of the Trade’

Photo by Amol Tyagi on Unsplash During my time at university, my writing ability has developed a lot, but I would argue that came over time as a response to talking to classmates and lecturers, reading feedback material and other students’ work. This is where I picked up on vital pointers. To present your piece of work as being effective, it goes way past the material on the page. I noticed that referencing was a key area of my work which needed improvement. The University of Dundee, on my course at least, uses Harvard referencing. Websites such as  https://www.open.ac.uk/library/referencing-and-plagiarism/quick-guide-to-harvard-referencing-cite-them-right , helped me understand where my referencing was going wrong. Although, there is more to referencing than what you think. Using references which have Been cited a lot by many different people (peer-reviewed) Are relatively recent Written by critically acclaimed authors. This goes a very long way in the markers mind when reading an essay or coursework because it provides more depth to understanding. Similarly, having your reference listed in an alphabetical order just adds the marker being convinced that ‘this guy/ girl knows what he/she is doing’. Other key areas which may convey this more are simple things such as signposting, grammar, punctuation and continually checking the flow of your piece of work. I am in fourth year and only really started paying attention to these things this year, which I regret, but if you can get a foothold and practice this prior to your final year, I promise that you will see a spike in your grades.

After writing an essay or coursework

When all is said and done, the most important thing is to read over your assessment, how many times you want to do that is up to you but my recommendation would be to do a lot of reading before submission. In this part, you are checking to see if you… Could add bits which just link to the question and your ideas and that little bit can be for extra clarity, or take sections out which does the opposite. Referenced correctly throughout the entire essay (do not be lazy with this, be consistent) Answered the questions and followed a coherent structure. Once you do this and feel like you can offer no more, submit it and do not think about it until you get your results back because there is nothing you can do once it is submitted. Ultimately, essay and coursework effectiveness comes with time, and it stems back to that old saying, practice makes perfect.

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What Is a Coursework and How to Write a Paper: A Simple Guide

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 2715 words
• Icon Clock 13 min read

Academic writing is an essential activity in higher education and comes in various forms. Basically, one of these forms is coursework writing, where instructors assess students’ level of understanding of a course during a semester. In this case, unlike other papers, coursework assignments evaluate students’ understanding of the course and not just a topic in the class. Moreover, various forms of coursework writing include essays, term papers, theses, dissertations, and report projects. Hence, students need to learn what is a coursework assignment and how to write such a paper.

What Is a Coursework Paper

College and university students undertake different kinds of academic exercises, with writing projects taking a significant portion. Basically, one of these exercises is the writing of coursework, an assignment that they submit at the end of the semester. Ideally, this kind of work assesses students’ understanding of a particular field of study within a single semester. In turn, instructors rarely require students to write a coursework assignment for things they learned during the previous semester.

Definition of a Coursework

By definition, a coursework assignment is an academic project that students undertake in the course of study and which they must submit before the closure of the semester. For example, such types of papers aim to evaluate students’ level of knowledge and skills acquisition, meaning the work contributes to students’ final grades. Ideally, coursework is what students learn during a semester, and such an assignment is meant to measure how well they have understood the subject matter. Moreover, students use reliable and relevant sources to study, examine and evaluate the chosen coursework topic. Therefore, a coursework assignment is very similar to other writing assignments, such as essays, reports, thesis writing, and dissertations.

Differences With Other Papers

In the course of their classes, students write different types of papers, including essays and reports. Basically, the major difference between coursework writing and these papers is that it assesses students’ understanding of what they have discovered throughout the semester. In contrast, essays and other papers assess students’ understanding of a specific topic, concept, result, or theory. Moreover, students may need to address an issue in their coursework that they might have addressed in an essay assignment sometime during the semester. As such, a coursework assignment is broader in scope than other papers.

Expectations

Like essays and other papers, a coursework assignment varies from one area of study to another. For example, there is a coursework for the English subject and another for the sciences. Therefore, students are expected to complete their coursework assignments according to their instructor’s or department’s instructions. In most cases, this expectation includes presenting the assignment in an essay format, where they select a title of their choice. Depending on the subject, some coursework assignments expect students to collect, examine, infer, and report data when answering a specific question.

When it comes to the grading of academic assignments, instructors look at how well a student has attended to all the requirements and expectations. For instance, these requirements include writing about a choice of themes or text excerpts in a given format. In this case, students must use an approach that they believe is likely to give them a higher grade, meaning an approach that helps them to answer the question methodically, logically, and critically by using relevant information. In essence, these are three dimensions for grading a coursework assignment.

Constructing a Paper: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Coursework Assignment

Like an essay, a coursework assignment takes a particular structure. Basically, students should understand the core components and make sure that they address them in their academic writing. In this case, the most significant issue for students is to ensure a logical flow of ideas. Moreover, developing a thesis statement is essential to provide high-quality essays with a guideline on focal issues. Primarily, these issues are the concepts and theories that the student has learned in a specific course during the semester.

Step 1: Preparation

Planning or preparation is the first step in writing a coursework paper. For instance, the essence of any form of academic writing is to measure a student’s level of understanding about a particular area of study. Since the coursework measures what a student has learned in a given course, it is paramount for each person to prepare well when executing the assignment. Here, learners have to choose a topic that they are comfortable with, one that they are passionate about. Additionally, they should generate ideas about their coursework by deciding what is relevant and what is not. In this case, the reasoning that guides this decision is the expectation outlined in assignment instructions. Lastly, students should understand their audience – consumers of their work or readers. Like any other assignment, the audience is course instructors. Hence, writers should ensure coursework satisfies a curiosity of readers.

Step 2: Setting Up

After preparation, students should set up the stage for coursework writing. Basically, the first preoccupation is to find sources relevant to the assignment prompt – those that are more likely to provide enough evidence and support needed claims. As students review credible sources, they should take notes to provide a strong argumentation in their coursework. Then, another activity involves deciding on the coursework outline, which should help answer the assignment prompt logically and critically. Lastly, learners should create an annotated bibliography, a summary of each source they intend to use as the basis of their arguments in the coursework.

Step 3: Writing the Coursework

After preparing and setting up the stage, students should start writing the coursework assignment. In this case, armed with notes taken during the review of reliable sources and the outline they have created, students should start with the first draft, where they develop a thesis statement. Basing all opinions and arguments on the thesis, writers should answer the assignment prompt methodically, logically, and critically. Moreover, the thesis statement should ‘hook’ the audience and make them interested in reading the substantial part of the paper – the body. In essence, the body is where students use all the evidence they have gathered about the topic, while the thesis informs the audience of what individuals have focused on in the paper.

Step 4: Wrapping It Up

It is normal for a writer to make mistakes when writing an academic document. For example, these mistakes include inconsistent arguments, irrelevant content, punctuation errors, and countless grammatical mistakes. Therefore, after completing the draft, students should read it through, at least twice, to identify these mistakes and correct them. Basically, the processes of correction include revising and editing the paper. Regarding revisions, students should give their work to a friend or mentor to read it through. In their feedback, these individuals are likely to point out areas where authors should make corrections for the paper to be logical and interesting to read. Concerning editing the paper, students should proofread their work to ensure it is free of spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and other grammatical mishaps.

Step 5: Developing Body Paragraphs

The body paragraph of any academic text, including a coursework assignment, utilizes several features to make the paper logical. Basically, the first feature is the topic sentence that opens up each paragraph. Also, the purpose of this feature is to strengthen the central idea captured in the thesis statement. Then, the rest of the paragraph structure backs up this claim using evidence gathered from different sources. In turn, another feature is a concluding sentence, which closes each paragraph. For instance, the goal of this aspect is to connect the topic sentence with the thesis statement. Finally, another feature is transition words and phrases that help readers sense a logical flow of ideas throughout the paper. In short, writers use transitions within and between paragraphs to create a logical flow of information and ideas.

Step 6: Referencing Format and Peer Reviewing

Besides ensuring the paper is written methodically and logically, students should see that it meets the highest academic writing standards. In this regard, they should ensure it follows after a particular format – APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian. In most cases, the assignment prompt dictates the format that learners should use. Moreover, the referencing format informs about the structure of the paper and the format of citations. In turn, another essential activity that students should perform is to commit the paper to peer review. Here, authors give coursework papers to distinguished scholars, such as a professor or classmate, to assess the validity and quality of information used, including sources.

Step 7: Writing the Final Draft of a Coursework Paper

After subjecting the first draft to vigorous scrutiny through revisions, editions, and peer review, students should start writing the final draft of a coursework paper. Basically, this draft should be thoroughly polished, meaning it should be free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes, as well as inconsistent arguments and irrelevant sentences. Moreover, it should indicate an effective use of transitions in the body paragraphs. In short, the final draft is an improved version of the first draft because writers have revised and edited it and incorporated feedback from a friend, mentor, or professor. However, they still need to read through the final draft, at least once, to ensure it is perfect before submission to the department. In turn, if students note several mistakes, it means another revision is necessary. Hence, the student’s focus should be the content, organization of ideas, style of writing, and format.

Types of Coursework

Given that coursework assignments test students’ level of understanding about a course’s content in a given semester, it means that it takes several forms. For example, these include a term paper, a Master’s thesis, a dissertation, or a report project. Ideally, the coursework is an essential requirement for a student to complete the course successfully. It also means the coursework is essential to be awarded a degree. In turn, the only difference between these types of coursework assignments is that they take a different approach to examining and analyzing course content, with each subject taking a unique approach.

Coursework Writing Techniques

The dream of every student is to pass any assessment and attain a higher grade. In a coursework assignment, students can utilize different techniques to ensure they attain higher grades after assessments. As indicated earlier about the grading of coursework, learners should use an approach that they believe answers the assignment prompt methodically, logically, and critically. As a result, every technique they use must allow them to answer the question in a way that satisfies these three grading dimensions.

1. Compare and Contrast Technique

A compare and contrast essay technique is about analyzing two subjects, ideas, concepts, or theories by comparing them, contrasting them, or doing both. Basically, the purpose of answering a coursework assignment through this approach is that students must not state obvious things. Instead, they need to shed light on the subtle differences or unexpected similarities between subjects, ideas, concepts, or theories.

2. Cause and Effect Technique

A cause and effect essay technique allows writers to develop their paper’s body by analyzing the reasons for and the consequences of a decision, action, or event. When organizing a paragraph, students adopt a structure that allows them to arrange the causes and effects in a chronological or reverse chronological order. Alternatively, authors can present their arguments through emphasis, starting from least important to most important aspects, or vice versa.

3. Investigation Technique

An investigation technique involves undertaking an in-depth examination of a topic, idea, concept, or theory. Basically, this technique’s primary goal is to demonstrate that students have gained a thorough knowledge of the subject, which is indicated in their methodical, logical, and critical analysis and presentation of information. In this case, ensuring that research findings are interpreted and presented in an organized manner throughout the essay is critical. Ultimately, the technique enables writers to demonstrate their articulate understanding of the various viewpoints about the issue under investigation. 

How to Present Strong Arguments

For an academic paper to capture the audience’s attention and interest, students must not only develop a thesis statement but also ensure they use strong arguments to back up the central idea in the statement. Basically, the “they say, I say” technique is the simplest method to present arguments properly. In this regard, the information that the student uses in answering the coursework assignment prompt should be free of plagiarism. For instance, they need to cite sources properly. Then, another way to ensure that the writing is persuasive is to confirm that they have attained the required word count without counting footnotes, endnotes, references, and appendices. Ideally, selecting a topic that one is comfortable with and passionate about enables the writing to be high-quality in terms of argumentation. Also, students should discuss alternatives with their mentor or instructor. Finally, the thesis statement should not be complicated.

Major Mistakes in Courseworks

Students make different kinds of mistakes when writing academic texts. For example, a common mistake in coursework writing involves a scope, where students fail to focus on one area of the topic and instead try to be broad in their argumentation. In this case, the problem with this approach is that they waste space talking about irrelevant material, leaving them with little space to write about the core idea. Also, the solution to this problem is to develop a thesis statement that sets out the paper’s specific agenda. In doing so, students can realize every time they go off-topic.

Another common mistake involves colloquialism, where students use a language that is not standard for academic writing. Basically, this problem is particularly common with students who become excited about the topic and try to express their ideas creatively. Moreover, the problem is that the coursework shifts from being evidence-based to a document about the student’s opinion. In turn, the solution to this problem is to pick a topic that is exciting and critically discussed in the literature. As a result, they can identify several sources that discuss the topic to use as bases for evidence of their claims and arguments about the topic.

Sample of a General Coursework Outline

The coursework paper adopts a typical outline, as indicated below:

• Table of Contents
• Abstract or Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Body Paragraph(s)
• Reference list

Reason for Similarity of a Coursework Assignment With a Research Paper

Ideally, the outline of a coursework assignment is similar to that of a research paper. In this case, an abstract serves as a brief overview of a research paper and informs readers of the writer’s focal points. More importantly, the coursework outline has a body, where writers use different paragraphs to make an argument about the topic. Also, each of the paragraphs begins with a topic sentence and ends with a concluding sentence. Like research papers, body paragraphs of a coursework assignment serve to cement the writer’s claims and arguments, which are linked to the thesis statement.

Summing Up on What Is a Coursework Assignment and How to Write a Paper

A coursework assignment is among the writing assignments that students in colleges and universities undertake in preparation for their degree. Unlike other papers, this assignment assesses students’ understanding of what they have learned in a course in a given semester. As such, students must complete and submit it before the semester closes. Moreover, the different types of coursework include essays, term papers, theses, dissertations, and report projects.

Students should master the following tips when it comes to writing a coursework assignment:

• Choose an exciting topic and stick to it. Basically, students come across tons of exciting information about their topic. However, to avoid going off-script, they should focus on their core subject and avoid the temptation of using data that may prove irrelevant.
• Use evidence (quotes and statistics) selectively. In this case, relevancy is a significant indicator of a high-grade paper. As such, where students are not going to refer to some data directly because it adds no value to their argument, they should avoid dwelling on it in their paper.
• Cite sources correctly. When citing sources, students should note the standards of the format in use – APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian – as each has a unique approach.
• Revise, edit, and proofread the paper. In turn, high-quality coursework writing should be free of inconsistent arguments, irrelevant sentences, and spelling, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes.

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Coursework vs Exams: What’s Easier? (Pros and Cons)

In A-Level , GCSE , General by Think Student Editor September 12, 2023 Leave a Comment

Coursework and exams are two different techniques used to assess students on certain subjects. Both of these methods can seem like a drag when trying to get a good grade, as they both take so many hours of work! However, is it true that one of these assessment techniques is easier than the other? Some students pick subjects specifically because they are only assessed via coursework or only assessed via exams, depending on what they find easiest. However, could there be a definite answer to what is the easiest?

If you want to discover whether coursework or exams are easier and the pros and cons of these methods, check out the rest of this article!

Disclaimer: This article is solely based on one student’s opinion. Every student has different perspectives on whether coursework or exams are easier. Therefore, the views expressed in this article may not align with your own.

Table of Contents

Coursework vs exams: what’s easier?

The truth is that whether you find coursework or exams easier depends on you and how you like to work. Different students learn best in different ways and as a result, will have differing views on these two assessment methods.

Coursework requires students to complete assignments and essays throughout the year which are carefully graded and moderated. This work makes up a student’s coursework and contributes to their final grade.

In comparison, exams often only take place at the end of the year. Therefore, students are only assessed at one point in the year instead of throughout. All of a student’s work then leads up to them answering a number of exams which make up their grade.

There are pros and cons for both of these methods, depending on how you learn and are assessed best. Therefore, whether you find coursework or exams easier or not depends on each individual.

Is coursework easier than exams?

Some students believe that coursework is easier than exams. This is because it requires students to work on it all throughout the year, whilst having plenty of resources available to them.

As a result, there is less pressure on students at the end of the year, as they have gradually been able to work hard on their coursework, which then determines their grade. If you do coursework at GCSE or A-Level, you will generally have to complete an extended essay or project.

Some students find this easier than exams because they have lots of time to research and edit their essays, allowing the highest quality of work to be produced. You can discover more about coursework and tips for how to make it stand out if you check out this article from Oxford Royale.

However, some students actually find coursework harder because of the amount of time it takes and all of the research involved. Consequently, whether you prefer coursework or not depends on how you enjoy learning.

What are the cons of coursework?

As already hinted at, the main con of coursework is the amount of time it takes. In my experience, coursework was always such a drag because it took up so much of my time!

When you hear that you have to do a long essay, roughly 2000-3000 words, it sounds easily achievable. However, the amount of research you have to do is immense, and then editing and reviewing your work takes even more time.

Coursework should not be over and done within a week. It requires constant revisits and rephrasing, as you make it as professional sounding and high quality as possible. Teachers are also unable to give lots of help to students doing coursework. This is because it is supposed to be an independent project.

Teachers are able to give some advice, however not too much support. This can be difficult for students who are used to being given lots of help.

You also have to be very careful with what you actually write. If you plagiarise anything that you have written, your coursework could be disqualified. Therefore, it is very important that you pay attention to everything you write and make sure that you don’t copy explicitly from other websites. This can make coursework a risky assessment method.

You are allowed to use websites for research, however you must reference them correctly. This can be a difficult skill for some students to learn also!

What are the pros of coursework?

Some of the cons of coursework already discussed can actually be seen as pros by some students! Due to coursework being completed throughout the year, this places less pressure on students, as they don’t have to worry about final exams completely determining their grade.

Some subjects require students to sit exams and complete some coursework. However, if a student already knows that they have completed some high-quality coursework when it comes to exam season, they are less likely to place pressure on themselves. They know that their coursework could save their grade even if they don’t do very well on the exam.

A lot of coursework also requires students to decide what they want to research or investigate. This allows students to be more creative, as they decide what to research, depending on the subject. This can make school more enjoyable and also give them more ideas about what they want to do in the future.

If you are about to sit your GCSEs and are thinking that coursework is the way to go, check out this article from Think Student to discover which GCSE subjects require students to complete coursework.

What are the cons of exams?

Personally, I hated exams! Most students share this opinion. After all, so much pressure is put on students to complete a set of exams at the end of the school year. Therefore, the main con of sitting exams is the amount of pressure that students are put under.

Unlike coursework, students are unable to go back and revisit the answers to their exams over many weeks. Instead, after those 2 (ish) hours are up, you have to leave the exam hall and that’s it! Your grade will be determined from your exams.

This can be seen as not the best method, as it doesn’t take student’s performances throughout the rest of the year into account. Consequently, if a student is just having a bad day and messes up one of their exams, nothing can be done about it!

If you are struggling with exam stress at the moment, check out this article from Think Student to discover ways of dealing with it.

Exams also require an immense amount of revision which takes up time and can be difficult for students to complete. If you want to discover some revision tips, check out this article from Think Student.

What are the pros of exams?

Exams can be considered easier however because they are over with quickly. Unlike coursework, all students have to do is stay in an exam hall for a couple of hours and it’s done! If you want to discover how long GCSE exams generally last, check out this article from Think Student.

Alternatively, you can find out how long A-Level exams are in this article from Think Student. There is no need to work on one exam paper for weeks – apart from revising of course!

Revising for exams does take a while, however revising can also be beneficial because it increases a student’s knowledge. Going over information again and again means that the student is more likely to remember it and use it in real life. This differs greatly from coursework.

Finally, the main advantage of exams is that it is much harder to cheat in any way. Firstly, this includes outright cheating – there have been issues in the past with students getting other people to write their coursework essays.

However, it also includes the help you get. Some students may have an unfair advantage if their teachers offer more help and guidance with coursework than at other schools. In an exam, it is purely the student’s work.

While this doesn’t necessarily make exams easier than coursework, it does make them fairer, and is the reason why very few GCSEs now include coursework.

If you want to discover more pros and cons of exams, check out this article from AplusTopper.

What type of student is coursework and exams suited to?

You have probably already gathered from this article whether exams or coursework are easier. This is because it all depends on you. Hopefully, the pros and cons outlined have helped you to decide whether exams or coursework is the best assessment method for you.

If you work well under pressure and prefer getting assessed all at once instead of gradually throughout the year, then exams will probably be easier for you. This is also true if you are the kind of person that leaves schoolwork till the last minute! Coursework will definitely be seen as difficult for you if you are known for doing this!

However, if, like me, you buckle under pressure and prefer having lots of time to research and write a perfect essay, then you may find coursework easier. Despite this, most GCSE subjects are assessed via exams. Therefore, you won’t be able to escape all exams!

As a result, it can be useful to find strategies that will help you work through them. This article from Think Student details a range of skills and techniques which could be useful to use when you are in an exam situation.

Exams and coursework are both difficult in their own ways – after all, they are used to thoroughly assess you! Depending on how you work best, it is your decision to decide whether one is easier than the other and which assessment method this is.

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What is the difference between essay and coursework?

Basically , an essay and coursework differ in their scope, depth, and purpose within academic settings. An essay generally focuses on a specific topic or argument, typically shorter in length and more concise in its exploration of ideas. Coursework writing services Ireland It often involves critical analysis, presenting viewpoints, and supporting arguments within a limited word count or specific format.

They  both It often contributes to the final grade and may involve diverse types of assessments beyond traditional essay writing, such as experiments, fieldwork, or group projects.

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Reports and essays: key differences

Know what to expect

Explore the main differences between reports and essays and how to write for your assignments

You'll complete assignments with different requirements throughout your degree, so it's important to understand what you need to do for each of them. Here we explore the key differences between reports and essays. 

This page describes general features of academic reports and essays. Depending on your subject you may use all of these features, a selection of them, or you may have additional requirements. 

There is no single right way to write a report or essay, but they are different assignments. At a glance: 

• Reports depend heavily on your subject and the type of report.
• Essays usually have specific content and a planned structure with a focus on sense and flow. You subject might need different types of information in your introduction –  some disciplines include a short background and context here, while others begin their discussion, discuss their resources or briefly signpost the topic.

Differences between reports and essays

This table compares reports and essays and provides an outline of the standard structure for each. Your assignment will also depend on your discipline, the purpose of your work, and your audience – so you should check what you need to do in your course and module handbooks, instructions from your lecturer, and your subject conventions.

Table adapted from Cottrell, 2003, p. 209.

The structure of reports

Most reports use an IMRaD structure: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.

Below are some common sections that also appear in reports. Some sections include alternative headings.

1. Table of contents

Your contents shows the number of each report section, its title, page number and any sub-sections. Sub-section numbers and details start under the section title, not the margin or the number.

2. Abstract or Executive summary

This brief summary of the report is usually the last thing you write.

3. Introduction

Your introduction describes the purpose of the report, explains why it necessary or useful, and sets out its precise aims and objectives.

4. Literature review

This describes current research and thinking about the problem or research question, and is often incorporated into the introduction.

5. Methods or Methodology

This describes and justifies the methods or processes used to collect your data.

6. Results or Findings

This section presents the results (or processed data) from the research and may consist of mainly tables, charts and or diagrams.

7. Discussion, or Analysis, or Interpretation

This section analyses the results and evaluates the research carried out.

8. Conclusion

The conclusion summarises the report and usually revisits the aims and objectives.

9. Recommendations

In this section the writer uses the results and conclusions from the report to make practical suggestions about a problem or issue. This may not be required.

10. Appendices

You can include raw data or materials that your report refers to in the appendix, if you need to. The data is often presented as charts, diagrams and tables. Each item should be numbered : for example, write Table 1 and its title; Table 2 and its title, and so on as needed.

Structure of essays

Introduction.

Your essay introduction contextualises and gives background information about the topic or questions being discussed, and sets out what the essay is going to cover.

Your essay body is divided into paragraphs. These paragraphs help make a continuous, flowing text.

The conclusion summarises the main points made in the essay. Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion.

Bibliography or Reference list

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Coursework vs. Dissertation: Comparative Analysis Essay

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Introduction

Organization, planning and writing process, benefits and challenges.

It is important to note that there are similarities and differences between coursework and dissertation writing since they serve distinct purposes. Essentially, a dissertation is about creating new knowledge, which implies designing a research methodology, analysing the results, and presenting an argument to fill the gap. However, coursework is more precisely focused on specific module areas with the purpose of employing and measuring competencies of mastering the key subjects. The given comparative analysis will focus on the previous works titled ‘Overconfidence and Trading Activity’ and ‘Protection for Self-Employed Individuals.’ Therefore, there are stylistic, organizational, argumentative, and procedural differences and similarities between a dissertation and coursework with their own corresponding strengths and challenges.

When it comes to style, coursework is inherently focused on the measurement of skills, knowledge, and understanding within a specific module or course. A dissertation is designed to research and present a thesis of a student in an area of his or her own interest (Terrell, 2022). Both have a similar style due to the academic nature of the writing, especially in the case of consulting outside expert scholarly evidence (Terrell, 2022). In other words, a dissertation’s literature review section and coursework rely on reliable outside sources to substantiate the arguments made and conclusions derived.

However, the key difference lies in the style of writing used in coursework, which primarily and extensively depends on presenting what other experts and academics know about the subject. In other words, it does not seek to produce a piece of new knowledge or observation, which is reflected in its style of writing, where all essential statements need external evidence (Joyner et al., 2018). A dissertation’s main purpose is to create new knowledge, which means that it incorporates some elements of the coursework’s style in its sections, such as a literature review (Terrell, 2022). However, it uses a more analytical style for its own observations, findings, and conclusions.

In the case of the organisation of coursework, it is simpler and less extensive compared to a dissertation. It essentially has an introduction with a thesis, several body paragraphs on specific thesis elements as core topics of focus, and a conclusion (Joyner et al., 2018). However, a dissertation is built around an introduction, literature review, methodology, results or findings, discussion and analysis, and a conclusion.

Therefore, the similarity is manifested in the fact that both forms of academic writing review external literature, but they are different for the most part when it comes to methodology, results, and discussion (Joyner et al., 2018). It is important to note that although both coursework and dissertation use outside sources, the literature review section analyses evidence through its themes and topics (Joyner et al., 2018). In contrast, coursework uses external evidence in accordance with the focus on an element of the thesis or argument.

Since the dissertation is still in the process of writing, the past coursework will be used to compare with the general structure of the former. For example, coursework on ‘Overconfidence and Trading Activity’ has an organisation consisting of an introduction, several body sections, and a conclusion, and the body is titled ‘Decision Making in Trading Activity.’

It is divided into four subsections named ‘Financial Decision Making,’ ‘Psychological Explanation for Trading Activities,’ ‘Methodological and Empirical Controversies,’ and ‘Evidence on Relationship between Overconfidence and Trading Activities.’ Another example of past coursework is on ‘Protection for Self-Employed Individuals,’ which has an organisation consisting of an introduction, several body sections, and a conclusion as well. The body sections are titled ‘Market Needs,’ ‘Importance of Insurance,’ and ‘Protection Products.’ The latter section is further divided into subsections, such as ‘Life Insurance,’ ‘Health Insurance Cover,’ and ‘Income Protection Insurance.’

In both coursework writings, a clear use of literature is evident in all of its paragraphs, subsections, and body sections. It is important to indicate that the introduction and conclusion are the only texts missing citations in accordance with academic writing standards. However, a dissertation uses citations mainly in its literature review sections with a lesser use to no use of external sources in its discussion, methodology, or the results sections. The majority of evidence-primarily comes from the research data and findings rather than the literature when it comes to the core thesis. As a result, a dissertation creates a piece of new knowledge through its own efforts of evidence generation, but coursework uses other experts’ findings as supporting information for its argument.

Coursework and dissertation are highly distinct in terms of their central arguments. On the one hand, coursework presents a thesis within the scope of existing knowledge. In other words, an academic writer studies the available body of knowledge, identifies patterns or themes, and builds an argument on the basis of the information (Terrell, 2022). On the other hand, a dissertation’s core claim, thesis, or argument is a statement based on what is outside of existing knowledge. The argument is made by not relying or minimally relying on the available information but rather on the researcher’s own findings through experiments or other methods of research (Terrell, 2022). Therefore, both propose a specific and evidence-based claim, but the latter is derived from differential types of sources, such as the existing knowledge for coursework or research findings for a dissertation.

Throughout the body sections, one can observe an extensive use of external scholarly literature as evidence to substantiate the topic sentences and claims. An example of the claim is that among existing cognitive biases, overconfidence is one of the most harmful ones. It is followed by evidence, where Combrink & Lew (2019) stated that accurate self-rating and assessment of one’s abilities are hard for people and even more challenging when they need to be compared to others. At no point coursework uses its own research data to support its thesis, which is why it does not present sections on methodology, results, and discussion.

Similarly, one can observe an extensive use of external scholarly literature as evidence to substantiate the topic sentences and claims throughout the body sections. For instance, a claim is made that insurance is important because it ensures that self-employed people are prepared for unexpected events and be able to continue pursuing their goals. The latter is backed and supported by evidence, which states that a person who has insured his business or professional practice will not be affected should his or her premise be damaged in an inferno (Wolfe & Patel, 2019). A specific evidence-based example is provided to substantiate the claim made on the importance of insurance for a population of interest.

The planning and writing process for a dissertation and coursework differ since the former incorporates elements absent or less extensive in coursework. The key similarity is that both academic writings begin with an identification of the subject of focus, followed by a search for an existing body of knowledge. In other words, a writer of coursework or dissertation begins their efforts by consulting reliable and valid evidence on the topic (Joyner et al., 2018). However, the major difference is that a coursework writer’s further analysis is limited to what was found as a result of the literature assessment (Terrell, 2022). Essentially, he or she has to make in-depth observations of patterns and themes to answer the research question or make an argument.

On the contrary, a writer of a dissertation needs to use the existing knowledge to identify gaps within it to be filled in by him or her. As a result, a proper methodology of research needs to be designed to address the gap with the identification of key variables, instruments, the population of interest, and the method of data analysis (Terrell, 2022). The thesis cannot be built without conducting the research through the selected methodological framework and deriving properly analysed results.

The benefit of coursework is that it allows a person to acquire in-depth knowledge of a specific module to the point that he or she can make insightful observations. In addition, one can identify patterns in the existing body of evidence, which develops his or her skills within this specific area. The advantage of a dissertation is more apparent since it enables a person to create new knowledge, which was previously identified as a gap derived from the analysis of existing literature (Joyner et al., 2018). It profoundly develops not only module area skills and competencies but research abilities and analytical capabilities as well. Therefore, the core challenge of a dissertation writer is being self-sufficient and independent since it is he or she who has to find the gap, design a proper method of analysis, and conduct the research (Terrell, 2022). On the contrary, the major difficulty in writing coursework is finding and filtering the evidence as well as identifying patterns.

In conclusion, there are stylistic, organisational, argumentative, and procedural distinctions and similarities between the writing processes of a dissertation and coursework with their own corresponding advantages and challenges. Firstly, a dissertation is designed to research and present a thesis of a student in an area of his or her own interest. However, coursework is inherently focused on the measurement of skills, knowledge, and understanding within a specific module or course. Secondly, coursework is simpler and less extensive compared to a dissertation in the case of the organisation since it has an introduction with a thesis, body sections, and a conclusion. On the contrary, a dissertation is built around an introduction, literature review, methodology, results or findings, discussion and analysis, and a conclusion. Thirdly, a dissertation’s argument is made by not relying or minimally relying on the available information but rather on the researcher’s own findings through experiments or other methods of research. Coursework presents a thesis within the scope of existing knowledge.

Fourthly, a coursework writer’s further analysis is limited to what was found as a result of the literature analysis. However, a dissertation writer must design a research methodology, analyse the results, and present an argument to fill the gap. Fifthly, the advantage of coursework is that one can identify patterns in the existing body of evidence, which develops his or her skills within this specific area. It allows a person to acquire in-depth knowledge of a specific module to the point that he or she can make insightful observations. A dissertation profoundly develops research abilities and analytical capabilities as well.

Combrink, S., & Lew, C. (2019). Potential underdog bias, overconfidence and risk propensity in investor decision-making behaviour. Journal of Behavioral Finance, 21 (4), 337-351. Web.

Joyner, R. L., Rouse, W. A., & Glatthorn, A. A. (2018). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-by-step guide . (4 th ed.). Corwin.

Terrell, S. R. (2022). Writing a proposal for your dissertation: Guidelines and examples (2 nd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Wolfe, M. T., & Patel, P. C. (2019). To your health: Health insurance, self‐employment exit, and older entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business Management , 57 (2), 593-615. Web.

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How Are Coursework And Dissertation Similar?

Published by Alvin Nicolas at April 9th, 2024 , Revised On April 23, 2024

The academic journey is a path paved with various challenges, and coursework and dissertations stand as two prominent milestones. While they may appear vastly different at first glance, a closer look reveals many similarities. Both coursework and dissertations play crucial roles in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary for academic success. Let’s look into how coursework and dissertations are similar. 

Coursework & Dissertations: Building Blocks Of Knowledge

A well-structured dissertation rests upon a solid foundation of knowledge acquired through coursework. Coursework acts as a stepping stone, introducing students to core concepts, theories, and methodologies within a specific discipline. 

Through lectures, discussions, and smaller assignments, students develop a basic understanding of the field and its established research areas. This knowledge base serves as a springboard for the more in-depth research undertaken in a dissertation.

For instance, imagine a student pursuing a dissertation on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) . Their coursework in computer science and philosophy would have provided them with a grasp of AI functionalities and ethical frameworks.

This foundational knowledge becomes the launchpad for their dissertation research, allowing them to research deeper into specific ethical concerns surrounding AI development.

They Help Develop Research & Writing Skills

Both coursework and dissertations hone a student’s research and writing abilities, which are crucial tools for finishing academic studies. Coursework assignments, ranging from essays to research papers, equip students with the skills to:

Formulate Research Questions

Coursework often involves tasks that require students to identify and analyse problems within a specific field. This ability to frame research questions effectively translates directly to the dissertation stage.

Evaluate And Use Scholarly Sources

Coursework assignments typically necessitate the use of credible academic sources . Students learn how to find relevant research papers, critically evaluate their content, and integrate them into their writing. These skills form the bedrock for the extensive literature review required in a dissertation.

Develop A Sound Argument

Whether writing an essay or a dissertation chapter, students must build a clear and well-supported argument.

Coursework assignments provide opportunities to practice constructing arguments, presenting evidence, and drawing logical conclusions – all skills essential for crafting a compelling dissertation.

The experience gained from coursework allows students to approach their dissertations with a sharpened research arsenal. They become adept at navigating academic databases, critically analysing sources , and constructing a robust argument that contributes to their chosen field.

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Cultivating Critical Thinking & Analysis

Coursework and dissertations both encourage critical thinking and analysis, fostering an inquisitive intellectual spirit.  Through coursework assignments, students learn to:

Challenge Assumptions

Effective coursework often involves examining established ideas and perspectives. Students are encouraged to analyse arguments critically, identify potential biases , and form their own informed opinions.

This critical thinking skill becomes crucial in the dissertation stage, where students must critically evaluate existing research within their chosen field.

Analyse Evidence

Coursework assignments often involve interpreting data, weighing arguments, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. This ability to analyse evidence effectively paves the way for the rigorous research methodologies employed in dissertation writing.

Form Independent Judgements

Coursework discussions and assignments encourage students to engage with diverse viewpoints and develop their own well-reasoned arguments.

This ability to think independently and form independent judgments proves invaluable in dissertation research, where students must make original contributions to their field.

By cultivating these critical thinking skills, coursework prepares students for the independent research journey that forms the core of a dissertation.

Structure & Organisation

Both coursework assignments and dissertations adhere to established academic structures. This focus on organisation helps students develop clear communication skills and ensures the clarity and coherence of their work.

Logical Structure

Both coursework and dissertations follow a logical structure, typically starting with an introduction , progressing through well-developed body paragraphs, and concluding with a strong summary. This format ensures a clear flow of information and facilitates reader comprehension.

Proper Citation

Effective academic writing demands proper citation practices .  Coursework assignments provide students with opportunities to practice essential citation styles such as APA, Harvard , or MLA. These skills are crucial for accurately referencing sources in a dissertation and avoiding plagiarism.

By mastering these structural elements, students learn to present their ideas in a clear and organised manner – a valuable skill that carries over into professional writing and research pursuits.

Coursework and dissertations are not isolated entities; they represent different stages along the path to academic success. Coursework provides the foundation of knowledge and hone the research and writing skills that are essential for crafting a compelling dissertation. 

The skills and knowledge gained through coursework empower students to tackle the challenges of in-depth research and critical analysis demanded by a dissertation.

Conclusively, coursework and dissertations share a symbiotic relationship. Coursework equips students with the tools they need to complete their dissertations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How are coursework and dissertation similar.

Coursework and dissertations are both academic tasks requiring independent research and critical analysis. Both involve structured writing, referencing, and adhering to academic standards. They contribute significantly to a student’s final grade, assessing their understanding of a subject and ability to synthesise information. Both demand rigorous attention to detail and academic integrity.

What is the difference between coursework research and dissertation?

Coursework research typically involves shorter, structured assignments focusing on specific topics within a course. Dissertations, however, are in-depth, independent research projects undertaken at the culmination of a degree program, requiring original research, critical analysis, and contribution to existing knowledge in the field, often spanning many months.

What are the similarities between dissertation and thesis?

Dissertations and theses share similarities as scholarly research projects. Both involve in-depth investigation, critical analysis, and contribution to existing knowledge in a field. They require rigorous research methodology, extensive literature review, and adherence to academic standards. Additionally, both culminate in a formal written document defending the author’s findings.

Is dissertation part of coursework?

Typically, a dissertation is not considered part of coursework. Coursework generally refers to the structured assignments, projects, and assessments completed during a course. A dissertation is a separate, extensive research project undertaken at the end of a degree program, often representing a significant portion of the program’s requirements.

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What is the Difference Between Coursework and Research?

Why is this? Coursework is the units a student has to take in order to graduate from a college or university. It includes coursework in mathematics, English, humanities, and social science. In comparison, research is a single student’s project, or series of projects, which may take longer to complete, but does not necessarily contain coursework or reading.

Why is there such a difference? In large part, it is because of the different types of learning that take place in each. Coursework typically is a group activity, which is facilitated by a teacher, a professor, and other students in a classroom. In this type of learning, the focus is on obtaining knowledge for learning purposes. As such, it tends to produce more cognitive and communicative skills than doing much research, which tends to be more interest-based in nature.

However, the types of learning and teaching methods may differ depending on which type of course the teacher is using. In addition, some types of research are held outside of a classroom, although some professors still do hold courses in classrooms. Some types of coursework and research also require group participation, but not as much as doing independent studies. Because there are so many types of these activities, then, what is the difference between coursework and research can actually depend upon what type of activity is being undertaken.

One type of activity that is frequently considered what is the difference between coursework and research would be an essay. An essay, unlike a reading or a study, requires that the student compose and present an argument or a series of points that they will then support with evidence. Since most professors and classmates are usually involved in some way with the creation of the essay, students are encouraged to read and understand their assignments well before the start of the class. The process may entail the submission of essays to a thesis committee, the development of individual essays, or a combination of the two.

Another activity that is often what is the difference between coursework and research is the use of case studies. This is especially true for courses in the humanities, as most humanities courses tend to require a large amount of research in the form of anecdote, reflection, or personal anecdotes. Students may find themselves drawn to what is the difference between coursework and research because the latter involves the use of logic and evidence while the former often relies on more subjective and emotional factors. For instance, students may be required to draw a picture of their professor. In this case, what is the difference between coursework and research is that the assignment is for students to use this picture to further examine their instructor’s arguments or to argue a point of view on their own.

Of course, what is the difference between coursework and research is also determined by what is the difference between coursework and student projects. Most college students are required to read a variety of books and complete coursework in order to gain a specific degree. For some, this may seem like too much work but for others, it is simply the method that were used by their professors. With a project based course, students are required to do their coursework alone, submit their assignments to their professors, and do research related to their assignment. While this certainly isn’t as time consuming as a traditional class course, it still requires students to take the time to think and explore. Students also must often spend time in the library or elsewhere doing research in order to learn what is the difference between coursework and research.

Finally, what is the difference between coursework and research is also determined by what is the difference between what students are required to do and what they are given to do. Most students are required to read a variety of texts, complete a series of essays, write a paper, participate in a debate or group project, and read a final exam. What is the difference between coursework and research is that while students are expected to do all of these things, they are also often given a limited number of hours to do so. In many cases, students are only allowed to do the research on their own time.

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Differences between Coursework and Dissertations: Comparative Analysis

Table of contents

Introduction:, coursework:, dissertations:, benefits of coursework and dissertations, differences between coursework and dissertations:, planning and process while writing coursework and dissertations:, challenges and problems student faces while doing dissertations and coursework, conclusion:, references:.

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• A well-designed Coursework help teacher to evaluate the learning capabilities and work done by the students.
• It helps students to understand their work and show their capabilities and what they learn from the specific module.
• It is an effective way to knowledge sharing way as it helps both of teacher and students to understand the specific module in a theoretical and practical way.
• Coursework | Definition Of Coursework By Lexico (2019) available from [1 October 2019]
• Complete Guide To Coursework? | Definition, Meaning, Keypoints & Tips! (2019) available from [17 October 2019]
• Dissertation Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And Usage Notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary At Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.Com (2019) available from [2 October 2019]
• Teachers’ Views On GCSE Coursework (2006) QCA. available from [4 October 2019]
• Teachers’ Views On GCSE Coursework (2019) Qualification and Curriculum Authority. available from [4 October 2019]
• Advantages Of Dissertation Writing In The Academics | Allassignmenthelp.Com (2019) available from [24 September 2019]
• Characteristics Of A Dissertation (2019) available from [4 October 2019]
• Why Should I Do A Dissertation In My Final Year At MBS (2019) MANCHESTER BUSINESS SCHOO. available from [1 October 2019]
• Coursework Writing Is Easy If You Do It Right! | Australian Assignment Help (2019) available from [10 October 2019]
• Planning And Conducting A Dissertation Research Project — University Of Leicester (2019) available from [24 October 2019]
• Softwarica College Of IT And E-Commerce: Log In To The Site (2019) available from [5 October 2019]
• Acknowledgments | Lærd Dissertation (2019) available from [26 September 2019]
• Staff, U. (2019) Main Problems Encountered When Writing A Dissertation [online] available from [29 September 2019]
• Problems You Face As You Work On Your Dissertation (2019) available from [1 October 2019]
• How To Deal With Difficult Coursework | Essay Service - Fast And Cheap Online Writing - Wizessay.Com (2019) available from [1 October 2019]

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Discussing Similarities and Differences Between Coursework and Dissertation, Essay Example

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The research sought to examine the challenges of inscription theses and dissertations amongst postgraduate learners. An entire of 103 study reports, comprising 40 theses and 70 dissertations from key colleges. The findings showed that over 50 per cent of candidates, theses and dissertations were studied. Students experienced numerous challenges in a script of their theses and research (Wildy, Peden, and Chan, 2015 p.774). The applicants appeared to have trials in writing all sections comprised of study statements. The challenges comprised unsuitability in giving different sections, statements and lack of academic writing services. Building findings research, it is suggested, amongst others, that study approaches courses provided key universities where one would be studied in relations of contents and teaching tactics (Newton, 2018 p.67)

A graduate degree usually needs implementation either a thesis, dissertation and key changes among thesis and dissertation. The emphasis was only on learner’s concepts and competence to arrange and fasten all key aspect well. Hence, the student wished an advancing factor remaining more in academia while pursuing a dissertation (Yang, 2018 p.122). A lot of works assessment, would read extensively in a specific part and come up with the best answers while discussing numerous establishments and their feelings. The key point demonstrated well professional works within the field. Therefore, both the thesis and dissertation require a lot of labour and must be handled seriously.  The pictures were deprived, unsystematic and learners did not handle queries well (Watted, and Barak, 2018 P.11)

Similarities Between Coursework and Dissertations

Both writing styles need quoting detail sources backing up impression behind the study—the other firm similarity among who is important within appropriate analysis, grammar and lack of spelling mistakes. Therefore, spelling and sentence structure errors both take away reliability to workers and possible retailers in a work situation (Richardson, 2015. p.439). The similarities amongst thesis and dissertation to study involved both papers having similar determination: usually for numerous institutes, in terms are employed interchangeably. A dissertation and a hypothesis have convinced key terms, where one would demonstrate the best mechanism on avoiding suspensions (Watted, and Barak, 2018 p.411)

Both papers and research identifications share a similar structure. Hence, one wants an attention-grabbing outline, body sections and a compacted, cooperative deduction. The modification order would result from lengthy requirements on the essential and whole paper. The most definitive system of paper writing provides sections, comprising key context outline (Wildy, Peden, and Chan, 2015 p.774).

A dissertation and proposition are both academic credentials that mainly emphases on learner’s field of research. Both papers emphasis on investigating and examining a specific subject under required depth.  A thesis described as significant academic study paper needed for master’s degree curricula. The purpose of both credentials is to carry out models, ideas and their applied implications learnt during the time on alumna learners (Richardson, 2015. p.439).  Apart from a detail that considered as doctoral and master’s program., a thesis is described as significant academic study paper needed for only master’s degree program. The purpose of both papers is considered as bringing out models, ideas and their practical inferences required during the period on progress learner (Wildy, Peden, and Chan, 2015 p.774)

Basic Thesis and Dissertation Differences

The key difference between thesis and dissertation is determined, especially when the work is complete. The thesis described as project marking close of a master’s program, whereas the dissertation arises at times of doctoral research. Both papers are truly quite different within a key aim; the thesis described as a compilation of study showing ones being a well-informed position concerning material learnt through a graduate program. A dissertation described as chance during a higher degree program contributing to new familiarity, models and practices within the key field. Thus, the point considered as coming up with all new idea, advancing main aspects and defending key worth scope (Hamer, Purchase, Luxton-Reilly and Denny, P., 2015 p.151)

Structural Differences Between a Thesis and a Dissertation

A master’s thesis is mentioned as type and sorts of study papers conversant with undergraduate. One’s study topic, analyses and remark upon material collected and recounted into the specific topic matter at hand. The key fact of a thesis is to display capability thinking critical concerning a subject and intelligently discussing material in-depth (Taliaferro, Hammond, and Wyant  2015 p.49). Correspondingly, with a thesis, ones generally take a key chance of expanding upon a key topic that is highly appropriate to field wishing to pursue crucial work. Ones apply other investigate only as leadership in approaching up and demonstrating own exceptional theory, model and concept. The majority of material in a thesis is credited to a dissertation described as chance during a higher degree program (Morris, and Fritz, 2015 p.198)

A lot of change in measurement among key works on master’s thesis would be at minimum 100 pages in measurement, possibly outside that. Nevertheless, a doctoral thesis must be much lengthier, since they include a great contract of upbringing and study information, alongside with each detail for a suggestion and how inwards at the material, rendering to Purdue College (Adham, Ha,  Mohd Nor, and Yazid, 2018 p.211). A dissertation is a composite work, would possibly remain at two, aspects, especially during periods of critical distance within the crucial thesis. Ones would receive leadership from an ability associate serving as dissertation consultant. The adviser would be there pointing right way if one stuck, assisting in positioning resources and ensuring suggestion on the right track (Martin, and Dismuke, 2018 p.22)

Perhaps the main difference between thesis and dissertation within planned determination is determined through the learning program. A thesis is usually essential while finding a master’s degree, where is thought out within examining learner’s understanding and main help in the field of research. The learner expresses a plan, thesis, built on earlier work conducted by others within a key field. The earlier work is examined by learners within the main paper and making a situation for a specific point of assessment (Roberts, and Seaman, 2018 p.28). A dissertation is generally conducted by a doctorate learner and focusing on original study. A student assumed as allocated dissertation needed to come up with a key subject within his field were have not already remained explored. The learners should come up with a theory and carry out a unique study proving and disproving the hypothesis (Sharma, and Sokal, 2015 p. 276)

Benefits and Disadvantages of Study/ Writing A Dissertation Scheme and How Compared into Research Coursework

Benefits, Advantages

One of the most noticeable benefits related to primary, secondary research is low-priced. The primary study generally needs spending a lot of cash. For example, members of the study team must be paid highly. Therefore, there are frequently travelling and transporting costs; one might require paying for office spacing, apparatus, and pay contributors for taking part (Boatman, and Lond 2018 P.29)

The significant benefit of secondary study is considered on the main base scheme as big scope for key information. However, if one needed to find huge information setting oneself on a key feature, the person might need dedicating a huge sum of effort. Generally, if one is carrying out a preliminary study,  would not ever be capable of employing longitudinal information within graduate and undergraduate scheme, since it might take years to be completed. The longitudinal information includes measuring and re-assessing a collection of contributors over long periods of the period (Mogey, and Fluck,  2015 p.282). Employing secondary data, yet, one has chance operating with enormously big material sets that someone else has previously collected. One’s would similarly deal with longitudinal material, where could let the person discovering trends and shifting important marvels over a specified period. In distinction to primary, a secondary study is simpler important and mainly since a key factor investigator (Medway, Roper, and Gillooly, 2018 P.393).

The secondary study needs less time and money if one does not want to offer contributors with compensation for contributing and repaying all other costs of investigating. A systematic study into a problem and state, where the purpose was to recognize facts and views would help in resolving problem dealing condition. The academic and scholarly study emphases on key questions arising from independent investigators. The research involves official, technical and methodical events to discover responses, and scholarly investigate directed by an already prevailing model in directive to reject and support the model (Lee, and Ko, 2015 P.237p)

Disadvantages

Even though secondary data might offer one with a huge scope of workwise gathered data, the information is questionable to remain completely suitable own investigate the question. Therefore, there are numerous motives, for example, one might be interested within the information of specific inhabitants, in a detailed geographic area, and gathered during a detailed time frame (Nesi, and Gardner, 2018 p.51). Yet, one’s secondary information would have emphasized on a slightly diverse population, might have remained collected in a diverse geographical area, and might have remained gathered a long period ago

Bibliography

Adham, K.A., Ha, H., Mohd Nor, S. and Yazid, Z., 2018. Learning to complete the PhD thesis.  Issues in Educational Research ,  28 (4), p.811.

Boatman, A. and Long, B.T., 2018. Does remediation work for all students? How the effects of postsecondary remedial and developmental courses vary by level of academic preparation.  Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis ,  40 (1), pp.29-58.

Hamer, J., Purchase, H., Luxton-Reilly, A. and Denny, P., 2015. A comparison of peer and tutor feedback.  Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education ,  40 (1), pp.151-164.

Lee, M.J. and Ko, A.J., 2015, August. Comparing the effectiveness of online learning approaches on CS1 learning outcomes. In  Proceedings of the eleventh annual international conference on international computing education research  (pp. 237-246).

Martin, S.D. and Dismuke, S., 2018. Investigating differences in teacher practices through a complexity theory lens: The influence of teacher education.  Journal of Teacher Education ,  69 (1), pp.22-39.

Medway, D., Roper, S. and Gillooly, L., 2018. Contract cheating in U.K. higher education: A covert investigation of essay mills. British Educational Research Journal ,  44 (3), pp.393-418.

Money, N. and Fluck, A., 2015. Factors influencing student preference when comparing handwriting and typing for essay style examinations. British Journal of Educational Technology ,  46 (4), pp.793-802.

Morris, P.E. and Fritz, C.O., 2015. Conscientiousness and procrastination predict academic coursework marks rather than examination performance.  Learning and Individual Differences ,  39 , pp.193-198.

Nesi, H. and Gardner, S., 2018. The BAWE corpus and genre family’s classification of assessed student writing.  Assessing Writing ,  38 , pp.51-55.

Newton, P.M., 2018, August. How common is commercial contract cheating in higher education, and is it increasing? A systematic review. In Frontiers in Education  (Vol. 3, p. 67). Frontiers.

Richardson, J.T., 2015. Coursework versus examinations in end-of-module assessment: a literature review.  Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education ,  40 (3), pp.439-455.

Roberts, L.D. and Seaman, K., 2018. Good undergraduate dissertation supervision: perspectives of supervisors and dissertation coordinators.  International Journal for Academic Development ,  23 (1), pp.28-40.

Sharma, U. and Sokal, L., 2015. The impact of a teacher education course on preservice teachers’ beliefs about inclusion: an international comparison. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs ,  15 (4), pp.276-284.

Taliaferro, A.R., Hammond, L. and Wyant, K., 2015. Preservice physical educators’ self-efficacy beliefs toward inclusion: The impact of coursework and practicum.  Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ,  32 (1), pp.49-67.

Wanted, A. and Barak, M., 2018. Motivating factors of MOOC completers: Comparing between university-affiliated students and general participants. The Internet and Higher Education ,  37 , pp.11-20.

Wildy, H., Peden, S. and Chan, K., 2015. The rise of professional doctorates: case studies of the Doctorate in Education in China, Iceland and Australia.  Studies in Higher Education ,  40 (5), pp.761-774.

Yang, X., 2018. A Corpus-Based Study of Modal Verbs in Chinese Learners’ Academic Writing.  English Language Teaching ,  11 (2), pp.122-130.

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