Tutor profile: Matthew J.

How can I structure my essay more effectively?

It can be easy to fall into the standard, five-paragraph essay form of an introduction, body paragraphs (with ideas for those paragraphs explicitly labeled in the thesis statement), and a conclusion. However, it is important to remember that the purpose of an essay is to prove something new about a topic. Allowing each of your paragraphs to build off of knowledge you put forth in the prior paragraphs will help stimulate this need for an ongoing pursuit of new knowledge, as you are recognizing that the essay is informing itself.

How do I study for an exam that requires application of knowledge, not just rote memorization?

In these types of classes, it is important to have a conceptual understanding of the material. The questions that you will see on the exam will not be reused questions that you have seen before; therefore, it's important that you critically understand the topic so that you can apply that understanding to any new question that may arise. Studying for that in this new way includes re-writing notes and bouncing ideas off of others.

How would I go about analyzing the relationship between memory and character development in this novel?

The first thing that I like to do is define what memory is and how it is operating in the novel. Is it a structure, or is it something fluid that is changing alongside the character? Defining what memory is in relationship to the character will help bridge that gap. Doing a close read of memory-related passages and paying attention to specific language used by the author will guide you in the right direction.