"Life is short, art is long, opportunity fleeting, experimenting dangerous, reasoning difficult." Hippocrates

"Here is life,  an experiment to a great extent untried by me" (Thoreau, Walden)

Practical Advice For English Majors

Choosing an A Essay Topic : You've know it all along; there are A essay topics and there are C essay topics. Here are the rules that govern this. They hold true at ANY level of writing.  (You will also see news reporters using them.) Studying Literature : This is a practical guide to the questions that various literary theories ask. Despite what some people may claim, ALL LITERARY READINGS have a theory behind them.  Be aware of your presuppositions. Writing a Proposal/Prospectus : Practical advice for writing a conference proposal or a paper proposal for a class. Writing a Graduate Essay: Introduction - Positioning Your Argument a) What other major scholars have said about this work/part of work that you are focusing on. b) Thesis - Your argument. c) Explanation of the theory behind your argument. d) Support your argument in detail with a close textual reading. What critics or books should I read for an essay?  Practical advice. Presenting a Paper at a Conference 1,  Presenting a Paper at a Conference 2 Thinking about a Master's degree? Writing the Introduction to a Master's Thesis. Guidelines for Participating in a Professional Conference Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Applying for jobs in a Community College Thinking About a Ph.D.?

(Dr. D. Werden) dwerden@wtamu.edu West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas
(via Tifton GA, Bronx NY, Wilmington NC, Macomb Il, North Chili NY,  New Territories Hong Kong, Moose Jaw Sask., Alvinston Ont.)