I am in the comps class and have to write a few papers. I completed the first one and it was really just a warm up paper. The second one was written and graded – I got a “C+”. This is from an instructor I had in the past and accepted my Title Page, References, and spacing in the past. I finished his class with an “A”. Now, he has become the devil (joking) and ripped my paper apart. He will not accept the same level of work I submitted in the past. The comps class is unlike any other class I have taken. Here is my question: Is it wrong to write my paper and have it “checked” by an English PhD who is an APA super-hero before submitting it to NCU? I will probably get tips on sentence structure, APA formatting of references, etc. The work is mine but any fine-tuning will be by the suggestion of another. Does this make sense? It is like having your parents check your homework before turning it in.
What is the purpose of an Education? Should the level of work one produces at the middle or end of an academic journey be the same as at the beginning? If you believe the purpose of an education is to learn and expand your knowledge, what better way is there to learn how to write better, more APA correct papers than doing what you propose? As long as you are learning from the experience and not merely accepting the corrections at face value, I think your idea is in keeping with the spirit of the program (or at least what the spirit should be). Mike Hanrahan
While I think it is a good to have a general grasp on APA guidelines and, of course, be able to write well, I do not think it is wrong to seek outside help. That is why there are professional editors. Also, many schools have writing services(Writing Centers) to help graduate students with this type of thing. I bet if you look back at UoF you will find a writing service center. I am surprised that NCU does not have one.
It depends... I might be wrong, but I think the prof. should make his/her rules clear at the beginning of the course. So everybody are on the same page what you can/can't do (and what type of "tools" and/or outside help students can get). For the APA thing. I have been using it for quite some time now and once you get used to it, it is not that bad. All I got when I started, was a piece of utility software (actually a Windows WORD macro) that helps me with the format and reference, etc. (assuming you write your papers using Windows WORD, that is). It is called StyleEase ( http://www.styleease.com/index.html ) and it supports APA and other styles like MLA.
I don't think it's wrong at all. What's the worst that could come of it? Maybe you learn what you are doing wrong and improve? Doesn't sound like a bad deal to me.
You got a C+ ? At the NCU/Yahoo learners website, some of the students said that the comprehensive exam/course has significantly changed and is significantly harder. Regarding changes: In the old format, after all coursework was completed, then comps was taken, followed by 4 RSH courses (after which came the ABD status) and, lastly, followed by three DIS courses. Now the sequence has been changed to RSH, comps and then DIS (and ABD status has been moved further along, but exactly where, I don't know). It sounds a lot harder than when I took it. Anyways, there's nothing wrong with hiring an editor to proof your work for you, but be prepared to pay.
I do a good deal of paper editing for a fee. Whenever asked about "is it ok...", I always suggest the student ask the professor. The only time that I know of that it would be universally not permitted to use an editor is when writing a paper for an editing course or when the editor is offering significant correction on the content. It shouldn't be a problem in most cases, writers rely on editors all of the time.
I don't see a problem with it at all; as long as the substance of the work is yours alone, I can't imagine anyone having a problem with someone fine-tuning the details like APA.
I called the professor today and told him my plan. He said it is a good idea to get outside help if I wanted to. Anyway, who wants to read the whole APA book!!!!
I agree. Some people have the eye for detail that is required to create perfectly formed APA style (or others), and some people simply can't parse that level of detail in punctuation, spacing, italics, etc. I don't see anything wrong with students or publishing professors obtaining the help of an editor with APA style or overall proofreading.
I am in the last group in the old format - after all coursework was completed, then comps was taken, followed by 4 RSH courses. It is still not easy!
I got the paper back from our friend and he did an incredible job. I was starting to think I would be a statistic (PhD dropout) but I have a new found positive outlook. Well, I will throttle back a bit until I get the grade on this one.
Everything changes with the comps class, it took me 3 ½ months to get through it, the entire time allotted. The writing style change was hard, and it took the first research course for me to fully get the style they want. Many rejections of papers and resubmissions. Now that I kind of get the style, things are starting to move along quicker again, and now just get dinged on content DEL
