Tackling the Dissertation

1. Tackling the Dissertation

2. It’s a really long essay! • Same rules apply • Structure • Introduction • Body • Conclusion • You don’t have to write it in this order • Analysis • Research • REFERENCING!!!!! • Bibliography • Central Argument

3. A few key differences • Freedom • You have designed the question • Supervision • Use your supervisor – remember they are a human too! • Don’t go AWOL! • Chapters • Modular + Linked to Central Argument • Use Subheadings

4. Undertaking Research • USE THE LAW! • Keep in mind this is a legal dissertation • Utilise the Library • SCONUL • Be careful of website sources • Not everything you find with google can be trusted • Diversity • Use UWE’s services • ASC • Library Workshops

5. Supervisor • Once you have submitted your topic, you should email your supervisor to set up your first supervision meeting. • At the first supervision meeting you should agree a timetable of meetings and dates for submission of drafts for feedback with your supervisor. • You can expect to discuss research methods, the scope of your topic, the structure of your dissertation, progress of your research etc with your supervisor. • The role of the supervisor is to provide advice only, it is your responsibility to work independently to research your topic and find relevant academic sources for your dissertation. • The usual expectation is that you will have four to six meetings or email feedback on drafts that you have submitted to your supervisor. • Supervisors will read and provide detailed comments on one draft of the introduction, one full chapter and the conclusion of your dissertation.

6. Supervisor • Supervisors are not expected to correct grammar or improve your writing. • Supervisors are not expected to issue reminders if students do not get in touch or neglect to honour appointments. • Please note that most staff take leave over the summer and it is your responsibility to check availability and agree supervision arrangements well in advance. • No work should be submitted to supervisors for comments in the final ten working days before the submission deadline as there is too little time at that stage for supervisors to read and comment on drafts and for students to implement comments properly. This period should be used for final editing, ensuring that footnotes and bibliography are complete and comply with OSCOLA, spell checking, formatting and ensuring that your dissertation is professionally presented. • Your dissertation will be marked by two members of staff from the appropriate department, who will reach agreement on the mark, or employ a third marker, as appropriate. • Feedback on your dissertation will be provided as for coursework.

7. Introduction and Conclusion • These should be linked! • The bread to your burger • Introduction • Research question • Legal issue • Outline • Tell the reader what they are about to read and WHY this supports your conclusion • Scopeand rationale • Conclusion • Each chapter should have a mini conclusion • Draw these mini conclusions together in your main conclusion • Link them to your central argument and WHY they support it

8. Methodology • Small section on methodology • Methodology determines the types of questions you can ask • You do not need to use all of your Research Methods coursework in your dissertation

9. Questions?

10. Summary • Use your supervisor • Structure, Structure, Structure • Structure! • Time management • Have a central argument • Give an opinion, but justify it. • Avoid being overly descriptive • Don’t leave it to the last minute