I’m enrolled in a graduate class that lets us decide our final projects. There’s no rubric, so I’m unsure how to approach it. Our professor said we should spend about 12 hours on our final projects to secure a good grade. I’m slow at reading and writing, so I might only manage 6-10 pages in that time, but some peers think that’s not enough. Any advice?
You might want to ask for guidance on paper length. The 12 hours probably isn’t meant to be all at once but spread over a few days. Consider all steps of the process, from planning to final editing.
Since everyone works at a different pace, it’s best to ask your professor directly about the expected page count.
Perhaps the focus on time rather than page count is to encourage thorough analysis over volume. Theoretically, you could spend hours on research and contemplation, producing a single insightful paragraph that earns you an A. Maybe aim for around eight pages.
Page count isn’t always the best measure of a paper’s quality. I’ve spent more than 12 hours perfecting a single-page essay before.
LizCampbell said:
Page count isn’t always the best measure of a paper’s quality. I’ve spent more than 12 hours perfecting a single-page essay before.
I agree. I’ve scrapped and restarted projects after spending over 12 hours on them too!
Don’t stress about the length. Focus on the quality of your ideas and your notes. Time will pass, but if you concentrate on the work, you’ll do fine.
The length varies widely depending on the class level and the expectations. In general, aim to demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic. Clarification from your instructor regarding the specifics would be ideal.
The emphasis on time is likely to ensure you dedicate effort to the project. If you’re a slow worker, perhaps plan for more time. Definitely seek clarification on expectations regarding page count and format.
It’s unfortunate the criteria for success aren’t clearer. A comprehensive paper usually requires more than 12 hours, including research and revisions.
Professors should provide examples of what they’re looking for, like specific data tables or writing styles, to guide you better.
The 12 hours could entirely be spent on research, depending on your familiarity with the topic and the paper’s scope.
For a graduate project, you might end up writing 10-12 pages single-spaced. If you prepare your quotes and notes as you read, the writing phase will mainly involve refining these into a coherent draft.
Masters programs often value conciseness. Focus on crafting every sentence to support your thesis without filler. Proper citations and a clear, elevated writing style are crucial.
I once wrote a 25-page paper in 6 hours but had all my research ready. Remember, 12 hours can mean different things, and it’s an unusual way to gauge a paper’s quality.
For fiction requiring research, I spend about 2.5 hours per page. But academic writing pace can vary.
Your professor should provide a rubric or at least examples from past students. Push for more guidance; not everyone works at the same pace.
If no rubric is available, did the professor provide any examples from previous students? That might help.
At a minimum, you should aim for one page.
Sometimes, it means procrastinating for weeks and then writing the paper in a last-minute rush.