3. How does the balance-of-payments constrain countries' growth rates? So far as it does, what would you do about it?

Reading:

* A.P.Thirlwall, Economic Growth in a Developing Economych.5

* R.Higgs, 'Against the Whole Concept and Construction of the Balance of International Payments' The Independent Review,Fall 2018

C.Garcimartin et.al., 'Balance of payments constrained growth and convergence: one more piece of the jigsaw', Journal of Post-Keynesian Economics,Spring 2014

1 Strength and clarity of argument. Make sure that each step follows logically from the one before. Above all, don't use 'therefore' when it isn't a therefore, or 'however' when in fact it's a 'moreover' or vice versa. When this happens it's generally just carelessness but it gives the impression that you can't think.

2 Structure. Ask yourself what each step is doing in that place and whether it could be better placed. After your first draft it might help to label each paragraph in a few words and then reconsider the order of the labels. The best test of good structure is that it doesn't make you repeat yourself, except possibly in the conclusion.

3. Evidence. Use facts and figures to defend what you're saying whenever you can. After your first draft look for holes, i.e. points where evidence is needed but none yet provided. But don't go in for saturation bombing (e.g. six pieces of evidence all pointing to the same thing.) One killer fact is worth any number of inconclusive ones.

4. Conclusion. Come to a good strong conclusion, supported by what you've written. Your conclusion is not an abstract of the essay i.e. don't summarise everything you've said.

5. Introduction.Keep it short, if you have one at all

6. Grammar, spelling and punctuation. Some students do so few essays / reports that it would be wrong to be too draconian on people who simply haven't had the practice. But you will nonetheless lose marks if there are too many faults in your writing.

7. Balance. When you are arguing a case, you should keep in mind the counter-arguments but don't necessarily have to state them. Use your judgment. If a counter-argument is particularly widely held or considered especially cogent, you might mention it & say why you don't agree with it or, if you do think it's valid, why it's not conclusive.

8. Reading. There is no minimum or maximum amount of reading that you're required to do but a good essay is likely to involve an amount of reading equivalent to the reading list provided i.e. something to replace everything you don't choose from the list. If you want to do your own research on the literature Scholar Google is a good place to start. Alternatively I might be able to think of additional things for you.You won't lose marks because of failure to cite any particular book or article.

9. ReferencingYou can use any referencing system you like so long as you give the author, title and date of publication for books, and additionally the name of the journal for articles. For internet downloads give the web address and the date of download (unless it's a book or journal article, in which case reference it as above.)

11. Marking criteria. The university marking criteria are at the top of the module's ELE page. They are long-winded but are a reasonable guide to what sort of essay gets what. A first-class mark can be got by substantial originality, particularly effective argument or particularly good writing. Essays which merely have nothing wrong with them will get a mark in the upper 60s.