The Efficient Essay is HERE!

Available on Amazon and only $18.95 for the hardcover and $9.95 for the Kindle version. Stop worrying about getting your essay done on time. This book takes you through the entire process from choosing a topic, through researching, writing, and finally editing an essay. It provides a formula for success and keeps you on track …

Why Essays Fail #2

You Started at the Beginning This seems like a ridiculous proposition; of course you start at the beginning, right? Well, not exactly. As a TA, I marked hundreds of essays and the vast majority had an excellent introduction. After that, things tumbled downhill quickly. If you start with your introduction, you'll edit it over and …

Why Essays Fail #1

You didn’t understand the assignment. Before starting an essay, make absolutely sure you understand the assignment and the type of essay required. If you are not completely certain, ask your instructor or TA. If your school has a writing centre, go to them. At the very least, ask your classmates or friends, just be wary …

The Efficient Essay (Coming Soon!)

The Efficient Essay is not just about writing an essay; it is a guide to the entire life-cycle of your essay project. Chapters take you through choosing the type of essay, narrowing in on a topic, conducting research, developing arguments, building structure, writing introductions and conclusions then effective proofreading and editing. I provide time saving …

A window to the World: What makes a good travel website?

As someone who remembers life before the Internet, I still recognize it as a magical thing. I remember traveling when the Internet was still in its infancy and it was a very different experience. When we traveled to Cancun in 1999, the only thing we had preplanned was our hotel and that was because we …

Learning Japanese, I really think so: Observations on Duolingo from an English teacher

As a shamefully monolingual individual, I am always impressed at how people can switch between different languages. It makes me feel very North American and a typical English speaker. We English speakers get off easy because our language is the most commonly spoken second language, and there are few areas in the World that haven't …

Motu Mort

My latest fiction story from the CBC writing contest: Motu Mort. It follows the experiences of Ahmed, who seeks an identity through various adventures but questions his love and his choices when he signs up for a survival game on a tropical island. Can he save himself and other contestants from the dangers lurking in …

Japan Travel Moment: onsen

Japan is famous for its onsen baths so you must put it on your itinerary; however, as with many things in Japan, there are specific rules you should follow. Here are my TOP 10 observations: Bathing is always done nude. Don’t be shy about exposing your whole self to random Japanese men (or women, but …

Part six: point being

The second last chapter of our epic adventure to Antigua. Finally, after almost a week of rain, we were able to visit a beach and even do some snorkelling. Miracles really can happen. Enjoy!https://paulpanchyshyn.com/part-six-point-being/

Japan Travel Moment: natto

I have eaten many “unconventional” things in the past, including things in Japan that twenty years earlier would have made me gag. At one time, neither Julia nor I would touch sushi, let alone sashimi, yet I had no problem eating raw beef with a raw egg, sea urchin, and I dutifully gulped down every …