Approximately half of the courses you will follow involve coursework, the thorough preparation of which makes a major difference to the intensity and development of your interest in an area of study. Time spent in detailed planning of coursework essays is always time very well spent. Your aim should be to produce a reasoned argument which directly addresses the terms of the topic set, systematically examines the pros and the cons of the proposition, and proceeds in a clearly structured manner to a conclusion. An essay is meant to represent your own informed response to the topic set. Word limits specified for coursework should be observed.
Nothing is gained by excess length.
On the contrary, examiners are keen to reward clarity, cogency, and conciseness of argument and expression. You are strongly advised to begin preparing and writing up well in advance of the date set for submission since this avoids the risk of a bottle-neck in the availability of library books. The French section of the College library is reasonably well-stocked in basic critical works, but you are encouraged to explore and read selectively among both more general and more specialised books available. Back to top Plagiarism and References Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person's work. It is heavily penalised, since it is a kind of intellectual theft whereby you are trying to pass someone else's work off as your own.