"for the last number of weeks, my tutor, class mate and myself have been trying in vain"

Tutor also ? Well its time to take some hard decisions - like changing the tutor and classmate ! The former may be difficult but the latter is a good possibility ;-)

If its getting that difficult, then most probably your timing is wonky. I would, if possible, step down to a slower crystal and check out. If you are using a "BusyCheck" before writing a new character, for the time being, switch over to a "Delay" based routine. Anything from 100 microsecond upwards should do the job.

Right now dont worry too much about the data bit organization IF, for the same character you get the same mumbo-jumbo. At times there is a method in madness too!But if you get wiered mumbo-jumbo then you have every reason to doubt the timing.

Incidentally is an oscilloscope part of your Tutor-Classmate team ? Just curious.

Raghu