Dissertation tips day 1

By Michele Scott-Akanbi

1. Make sure you read at least 3 dissertations from the previous cohorts, before you start your research.

2. Make sure you choose a subject and topic that you are passionate about from the modules you have studied over the past 2 years, more next week.

The mumpreneur project: A2 OCR History F966 How to structure essays for t...

The mumpreneur project: A2 OCR History F966 How to structure essays for t...: For those of you who have studied Russia at AS clearly there is some areas of overlap -such as content, however obviously there are also so...

A2 OCR History F966 How to structure essays for this paper 1

For those of you who have studied Russia at AS clearly there is some areas of overlap -such as content, however obviously there are also some distinct differences.  For instance this is a 60 mark question and last year it was only 50 marks.  Additionally, this year you are looking at a 100 year time frame.  Finally you need to approach these exam questions thematically and you would never have been asked to do that previously.

I suggest joining the student room for all your subjects and topics, posting questions, joining threads and getting other students to give you feedback on your essays will be useful. 

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/

Additionally I also suggest that you tackle this unit thematically, because clearly it is thematic and thus requests you to show synthesis in your essay writing.  Moreover it is also important to not adopt a chronological approach but rather to use a thematic approach and synthesis, thus include, evaluation rather than merely narrative and if possible avoid adopting a narrative approach, please also apply equally to both questions.   The examiners are looking to see in your work, meaningful comparative arguments and better grades will be awarded if you use, direct comparison/thematic approaches.  It is also important that you assess relevant issues of continuity and change within your essay questions, to assure allocation to the top band of the exam mark scheme.

Your introductions and conclusions should be brief and be mere summaries of the main points discussed in your question or to be discussed and generally just revealing what your answer to the question is. 

Last year you would have been advised to tackle your essay questions keeping in mind political, social and economic issues.  This year I would suggest in your study skills as well as your actual exams that each individual historical event should be broken down into its key themes, this could be done on cards, in mind maps in your historical timeline or any other way that works for you. 

 

As you already know in the Russia paper there are 4 themes and these are as follows: (1) society, (2) economy, (3) nature of government & (4) war, these can be used virtually generically for most questions that you will answer in the exams, this then should assure you essay is both thematic and synoptic.  . 

Themes	Society
	Economy
	Nature of Government
	War

Next week I will be tackling History coursework tips and also how to improve previous essays which didn’t achieve the result you want without completely writing your answer.  I will come back to the Russia unit tips in 2 weeks time.

Also don’t forget the January sale and to look at Newsletter from last week which include a testimonial from a former student who is now the Head of Economics.

The mumpreneur project: We wrestle not against flesh and blood….but supern...

The mumpreneur project: We wrestle not against flesh and blood….but supern...: Recently over the past few weeks I have been encountering some odd, perplexing and confusing situations, some have left me bemused and a bi...

We wrestle not against flesh and blood….but supernatural situations

Recently over the past few weeks I have been encountering some odd, perplexing and confusing situations, some have left me bemused and a bit confused. Additionally since I have started this fast at Jubilee Church, I have found myself becoming increasingly short and upset and generally overreacting to certain situations.  At the time I have felt justified in my response, however upon discussion with my husband he has suggested these issues should not be taken at face value and should not be merely reacted to.  Henceforth, he has indicated that some of these situations should be reflected upon through spiritual eyes and prayed about.  Thus today’s reading from the “Today: refresh, refocus, renew” devotional, has reinforced or confirmed our discussions regarding to some of the issues I have recently encountered and according to Joel Vande Werken

“But we do not pause as often to consider the spiritual dimensions of our suffering. The apostle Paul reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). Rather, we contend with demonic powers that want us to think that our circumstances, not our hearts, are the problem.”

So I just want to remind and encourage you as I encourage and remind myself that whatever difficult situations we find ourselves in today or over the next preceding weeks, that we should not see these situations as black and white, but instead ask for Godly wisdom. Whether it be that terse and odd text message, that argument with your spouse, that difficult client and the challenging behaviour of your child, it has little in reality to do with your circumstance and all to do with your altitude/faith walk.  Our adversary will often throw demanding, arduous and strenuous circumstances and situations in our path, however rather than reacting and allowing these situations to inflame and upset us and if you are the parent of a small child or children you will understand what I am saying, we need to take a different approach.  Nevertheless, although it is often our first response to want to just react or rant, I want to encourage you and myself to instead pray about the situation, to ask God to reveal to what is really happening in this situation, to give us spiritual eyes so we can really understand the ulterior spiritual motive of this situation.

“James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/wisdom-bible-verses/)

Then pray that the Lord will give you Godly wisdom and show you how to respond and reconcile this situation.  Thus, what the devil might have wanted to use to bring you to sin, instead the Lord will use to give you spiritual insight, he will give you victory and provide you with a testimony.

We will always encounter difficulties and trials, however as we seek the Lord’s face and grow in Godly wisdom, we will see the blessing in the storm and how the Lord has taught us new skills and abilities, which we can in turn use as our testimony and share with others.  In Jesus Name Amen

Your Sister-in-Christ

Cheli   

The mumpreneur project: What is authentic worship?

The mumpreneur project: What is authentic worship?: Since I began this fast last week the words “authentic praise” was been rebounding in my mind and I have been silently assessing it and mul...

What is authentic worship?

Since I began this fast last week the words “authentic praise” was been rebounding in my mind and I have been silently assessing it and mulling it over in my mind.  In contemporary society today, the word “authentic”, “authenticity” and “our authenticity” is often banded about and used described people’s actions and behaviour.  However I ponder what being authentic truly means and how is that manifested in relation to praise and worship.

The dictionary defines “authentic” as of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine. "the letter is now accepted as an authentic document"

synonyms:

genuine, original, real, actual, pukka, bona fide, true, veritable;

  So how do we translate the idea of real, genuine and bonafide into praise and worship an what does that look like.    Well the bible says in

John 4:24 

Context: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
…23"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us."…

Therefore as followers of Jesus and children of the Most High, what is “authentic worship”, our worship was be real, not an act or performance in case someone is watching, because guess what God is always watching.  This true authentic worship, can and may take many different forms, reflecting who were are as individuals, our current journey and our individual circumstances.  However the key to “authentic worship” is not the form it take or even where it happens, but the fact that it happens, It is the fact that it is praise worthy, it is genuine and true gratitude for the relationship we have with God through the Holy Spirt.  It is real appreciation and adoration for the Prince of Peace, whether (and especially) in times of difficulty when we encounter difficulty or during times of grace and prosperity when we are on the mountaintop.

Additionally, “authentic worship” is also about being real and honest with God about who we are, warts and all, not holding back but as one of T.D. Jakes books was famously entitled we should be “Naked but not Ashamed” before God.    The Lord God already knows who we are so why put on a mask and hide behind it, pretending to be someone else entire.  Who knows our true selves or our authentic selves, so our “authentic worship”, should be open honest and true. 

Sometimes worship is confounded in theatrics of praise and worship especially within the Pentecostal faith, however there is nothing wrong with singing worships sound loudly and enjoying them.  However, I want you to recall and remember that “authentic worship” is dynamic and be different according to the individual and your circumstances and situation.  “Authentic worship” is about thanksgiving, adoration and genuine real adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ, lived out in our daily lives, through our circumstance and manifest in numerous ways.  

For instance, in  1 Kings 19:12 The Lord Speaks to Elijah at Horeb

…11So He said, "Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"… (http://biblehub.com/1_kings/19-12.htm)

Although God was only in the still small voice that Elijah heard, he could have easily manifested himself in any of the devices that Elijah experienced, such as the Strong wind, earthquake or a fire.  It is the same with us and our “authentic worship”, sometimes we may worship with screaming and shouting, listening to worship music on YouTube; sometimes silent prayer, loud singing, soft singing, meditating upon his word, listening to a sermon, reading a bible devotion or the silence prayer from our heart.  God is an eclectic and diversity God, he loves all forms of worship, all he asks it that our worship is in “Spirt and in Truth” or as we would say in modern society it is “authentic worship”. 

I am a person who panics when I encounter difficult situations, even though I should know better, God is teaching me to remember and to teach my children that when we encounter uncomfortable situations, don’t panic just engage in “authentic praise”.  I pray that you will be as uplifted, encouraged and reminded by these words, as I have been.  In Jesus Name.

Your Sister-In-Christ Cheli