The following enactment was inspired by a true story. No parts have been modified. In order to protect the identities of real-life characters, all names have been changed. Any similarities to persons, either living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Rating: G - Good for General Audience
Warning: You might feel a little sorry for the characters after reading. (Specifically, the lead actresss) and a little anger towards the lead actor.
Casting
Lead Actress -> Yeow Minyi as the hardworking Econs honours thesis student
Supporting Actress -> Karen Chua as Minyi's best friend
Leading Actor -> Professor C as Minyi's thesis supervisor
Supporting Actor -> CN as the guy who conducted some experiments and Minyi is using data from those experiments for her thesis.
Narrator: It has been a very long week. Minyi has been writing and writing and writing for the past 5 days, trying her best to complete her thesis draft before Prof C leaves for Hong Kong. Thus far, she has completed chapter 2 (Literature Review), chapter 3 (Scientific Content Analysis and Thesis Hypothesis) and chapter 4 (Experimental Set-Up). Now, she's trying to complete chapter 5 (Analysis and Discussion of Results). She has written chapter 5 since Friday and has finally completed it on Sunday. Upon CN's request, she sends him the soft copy for him to take a look.
E-Mail (1)
The E-Mail that Started it All
From: "Yeow Minyi"
To: "Prof. C", "CN"
Sent: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 13:30:12 +0800
Subject: Chapters 4 and 5
Dear Prof C and CN,
Attached are the eagerly awaited chapters 4 and 5 of my thesis. :)
CN: Although you only wanted to see the result analysis, I thought you might want to take a look at what I wrote for experimental set-up as well.
Prof C: I have already sent you chapter 4 earlier but after writing the analysis, I made a slight revision in my experimental set-up objectives. What I did was basically edit the second paragraph in the 1st page of experimental objectives. You haven't replied to my earlier emails about whether it would be better to meet you on Monday or Tuesday before you leave for Hong Kong. If you get to read this before Monday morning, could you please let me know your preference? I'll be in school tomorrow morning so I'll just pop by in case you don't get to read this in time.
Cheers,
Minyi
NOTE: The thesis submission deadline is 01 April 2005. Prof C informed Minyi on 14 March that he'll be going to Hong Kong for 5 days from 23 March to 28 March 2005. This means that Minyi must submit her first draft before he leaves, else she won't have time to do revisions after the lead actor returns.
E-Mail (2)
Reply from CN
Greetings
I have done a quick reading of your paper. There are some inconsistencies that we need to work through i.e. error in description of experimental design, experiment intent,etc. Considering Prof C's pending trip and your dateline these fundamental aspects need to be rectified before Prof C can correct and comment on the technical and overall aspect of the study.
Let's meet on Monday at 5pm if you can. Thanks and talk to you soon.
Narrator: Minyi felt distressed and disappointed after reading this reply from CN. She had worked very hard for her thesis and now there seems to be an error! Immediately, she phones her best friend Karen.
Conversation (1)
Minyi: How ah Karen? Die already. Write and write and write so much. Then come and tell me it's wrong! Aiyoh... die already. How to pass my thesis like that?
Karen: Minyi... don't be silly. I don't think it's that bad. Just meet CN and see what he says. Don't think it's as bad as you think to be. Maybe just do a few minor corrections.
Minyi: I knew there would be some errors cuz I didn't design and conduct the experiments. But yet, I have to write as if I was the one who designed and conducted it. So while I was writing, there were some parts I didn't have information. In the end, I just filled in the blanks myself. Aiyoh... I really hope I don't have to rewrite the chapters. I spent a long time writing it leh. If need to re-write, all my hard work down the drain.
Karen: Don't worry, Minyi. Meet him first then see what he says. I think it'll be fine.
Minyi: Ok... I need to get back to work. Have to complete chapter 6 (Conclusion), chapter 1 (Introduction) and Abstract. I want to finish by tonight.
Karen: Can. Talk to you later.
Narrator: CN informs Minyi that he wants to see all that she has written (at this point in the story, that would be only chapters 2 and 3).
E-Mail (3)
What CN Thinks of Chapters 2 & 3
Excellent Stuff!!
Pls consider a bridge para from Chap 2 to Chap 3 so that your thesis reads like a continous thread of thoughts.
Based on your readings and research it will be helpful to state what we know now and what we do not know. Something alog the line of how is your research going to contribute towards areas of paucity in existing research.
NOTE: Minyi has arranged to meet CN at 6pm on Monday instead because she has classes till 6pm.
Narrator: Minyi continues her struggle towards completing the first draft of her thesis. She is experiencing diminishing marginal returns to utility as each page takes her more and more effort to write. Karen advises her to take a break, but Minyi refuses because she is determined to complete her first draft by Sunday night.
E-Mail (4)
The First Draft is Finally Done!
From: "Yeow Minyi"
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 1:58 AM
To: "Prof C"; "CN"
Subject: Abstract, Chapter 1, Chapter 6 - First Draft Done! :)
Importance: High
Dear Prof C and CN,
Attached are the remaining sections of my thesis. The first draft is done! :)
Prof C: My sincere apologies for submitting it to you late. I hope it’s not going to inconvenient you much given that you have to go Hong Kong.
CN: Where would you like to meet tomorrow evening at 6 p.m.? I’ll be having lessons at LT14.
Narrator: Minyi went to bed that night, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. She has finally completed her first draft! Alas, her happiness was short-lived. Her happy feelings came crashing down after reading this e-mail from Prof C the next morning.
E-Mail (5)
Quick Thoughts Hurt
errrr .i may be a little slow here but how can the 1st draft be done if u have yet to meet up with cholan to discuss your chap 4 which is the crucial chapter? just a quick thot ......
NOTE: This e-mail was sent at 7:46 a.m. by Prof C.
Narrator: Minyi was officially in a state of distress. Honestly, she thinks Prof C hates her. But she can't figure out what it was she did that made him hate her. Prof C never replies her e-mail. She has e-mailed him many times to confirm meet-ups but he never replies. And now, when he finally does, it is to whack her. Telling her that he doesn't accept her first draft. Minyi could not take this lying down. She knows she has completed her first draft. It may have some mistakes, but that's exactly why it's called the first draft right?
E-Mail (6)
Thesis Beta
Dear Prof C,
Indeed. To me, the first draft means getting all the sections out first. Like a beta version 1. After Cholan's gone through with me chapter 4, it'll be version 1.1. :)
Btw, what time would you be free to meet up with me tomorrow?
Minyi
Narrator: Once again, Prof C never replied to Minyi's question of when he would be free to meet up. In the end, he only replied to Minyi after she has met up with CN on Monday night. On Monday night, she requested to pass a hard copy to him because CN said that Prof C will not be contactable by e-mail in Hong Kong.
NOTE: Please think about this fact and come to the conclusion that this is very strange. See HELP at the end if in doubt.
Narrator: Minyi gives a quizzical look. CN realises that what he has said does indeed sound strange. He added that Prof C will probably be very busy in Hong Kong and won't have time read her draft anyway. So it's best for her to print a hard copy which he can read while he's on the plane. Her thesis is now officially "read on the plane to kill time and hopefully fall asleep" material. Honestly, Minyi thinks that Prof C really hates her. Otherwise, why would he never reply to her e-mails and when he does, it's something nasty to her? Most importantly, Minyi has to get information about Prof C from CN.
Inconclusive Conclusion
Karen: You know Minyi, I honestly don't think Prof C hates you. Maybe he's just like me. Very lazy to reply e-mails. You should believe me because you know so far, I've always been right.
-THE END-
HELP: Even a third-world country like Cambodia has internet cafes. Anyone can be contactable by e-mail if he/she chooses to be.
min on Tuesday, March 22, 2005
