Tutor profile: Maura P.

My professor says there is too much “fluff” in my paper, how can I fix it?

Whenever writing you should always ask yourself “why should they care?” When writing, make a statement and then explain your answer/how it pertains to the prompt or subject. When you make a statement you have to show why the statement was made- this is how you create well formulated arguments. State a fact, then illustrate the fact.

I need help finding scholarly articles on the Salem witch trials.

A great place to start is Wikipedia, down in the notations, you may find a lot of references to scholarly articles that the editors referenced. Another avenue is to turn to the databases your school offers. Do not be afraid to try different search terms such as: cotton mather, Salem Massachusetts, witch trials, etc. Those databases may also have references in the notes that will provide you with more avenues to turn down.

Choose one symbol used in “The Great Gatsby” and illustrate the effect it has on the story.

The green light at the end of the Buchanan’s dock symbolizes how dangerous it is to become consumed by one obsessive thought or goal. Gatsby focused on the green light, and in his obsession he lost sight of who he was, and the life he was living. “The Great Gatsby” focuses on the dangers of excess, and the figure of Gatsby illustrates those dangers. The peril Gatsby’s obsession leads him to is the driving force behind the entire novel.