1. School of Biosciences University of Exeter Students as Agents for Change 2009/2010Project: Essay Writing Guide: Written by students, for students.

2. Introduction to the Project How did we get together as a group to develop the project? How did the idea for the project come about?

3. Data Collection – The Key Facts 85.7% of students had no or very little experience in essay writing in Biology. 52% of students had very little experience of any essay writing during post 16 education.

4. Possible outcomes from Research An Essay Booklet A campaign for more essay practice Encouraging more essay based tutorials Outcome: Essay Writing Booklet Essay Writing Booklet

5. Feedback “Excellent detail and information, much better described than any lecture note!! Booklet is a great asset!“ "Brilliant! Covers all the problems that we're likely to come across. This will definitely prove very useful. Thank you!" "This looks like it could be really useful, shame I didn't have it at the start"

6. Recommendations More essay practice. – 77.5% of students would like at least 3 essays during the year. – 77.5% of students would like at least 3 essays during the year. First Year essay practice. – 88% believed this would be very useful. Essay marking and discussion in Tutorials. - 82% believed that this would be useful.