Academic?

1. list all elements would expect in academic writing;

2. list all elements would not expect in academic
Writing an MA dissertation
Preparation
Choose topic of interest to you & on which there is readily
available material
Search data bases & read 30+ academic articles (not just
websites)
Select one idea/argument
Write an outline that develops elements of argument in
logical sequence
Consider word allocation against structure
Introduction
Explain what is the issue/problem/question. Set out your
aims.
Avoid too much background detail (uses up too many
words)
Main body
Summarise the relevant data/evidence
Accurate and coherent presentation of the pertinent facts
Evaluation
of
experts/commentator(s)
and
their
disagreements.
What is your analysis/explanation of the situation.
Illustrate arguments with examples/case studies (or
tables, diagrams)
Keep sections balanced in size and progressive (building
on previous section)
Avoid sweeping generalisations about: women, non-state
actors state etc
Conclusion
Weigh the evidence presented (dont just summarise)
Note the patterns
What do you think re implications; be persuasive!
Not looking for recommendations.
Style

Readable English. Use a friend to read it through if not

confident.
Interesting.
Regular signposts and summaries. E.g. The previous
section highlighted the problems This section now turns
to the solutions, beginning with..

References
Follow CU Harvard; or at least be consistent and
alphabetical!! See:
http://home.ched.coventry.ac.uk/caw/harvard/downloads.h
tm
Hanlon, J., and Smart, T. (2008) Development in Mozambique. Suffolk:
James Currey Ltd.

Marking Criteria
Your coursework will be assessed according to the criteria of structure, content and
approach, and style and presentation. Below are the guidelines that will be utilised
by the examiners. You should bear these in mind when preparing and writing your
work.
DISTINCTION 70% OR ABOVE
Structure

Very clearly organised and logically structured, following through a

coherent thesis from initial statement of aims to conclusion.

Content and
Approach

Covers the material in a full and accurate manner, revealing careful

attention to relevant evidence and arguments; displays excellent
understanding of the relevant issues. Develops its thesis with the
aid of a coherent and critical analysis. Shows some degree of
innovation or originality in its approach to the subject.

Style and
Presentation

Very well written, with good command of grammar, syntax, spelling

and punctuation; clearly presented with a wide range of sources
and with an accurate and consistent referencing system.
MERIT

60 69%

Structure

Clearly organised and logically structured, following through a

coherent thesis from aims to conclusion.

Content and
Approach

Covers material in a competent manner, with careful attention to

relevant evidence and arguments. Displays a sound understanding
of the issues and problems raised in the question. Develops its
thesis with an analytical approach, focused on the question
throughout.

Style and
Presentation

Structure

Well written with a good grasp of grammar, syntax, spelling and

punctuation; clearly presented with the use of relevant sources and
with accurate and consistent references.
PASS
40 59%
Sound, though not always consistent, organisation; follows through
its thesis in a limited but adequate manner. Aims not set out
entirely clearly.

Content and
Approach

Covers material in generally a thorough manner, but with some

inconsistencies. Is somewhat lacking in attention to relevant
evidence, examples or arguments. Approaches the material with an
essentially descriptive rather than analytical focus (a key
distinction from Merit above).

Style and
Presentation

Only adequately written, with some errors of spelling and grammar;

a limited use of relevant sources and references.

Structure

FAIL
BELOW 40%
Absence of clear organisation; no logical structure.

Content and
Approach

Fails to address question; reveals minimal attention to relevant

evidence or arguments, together with minimal understanding of
problems and issues raised by the question.

Style and
Presentation

Very poorly written, with inadequate command of grammar and

numerous spelling mistakes; presented with inadequate or
nonexistent sources or references.

Exercise 1: Write a structure for the following

essay/dissertation
Evaluate the impact of Truth Commissions and Special Courts for war
crimes in post-conflict situations.
Exercise 2: Create a bibliography that conforms to CU Harvard
from these references:
Development in Mozambique. J. Hanlon and T. Smart. James Currey
Ltd., Suffolk, 2008.
Meredith W. 2006. Civil Society in Malaysia (California: Stanford
Press).
Whist, B. Escape from Domination, Politics, 17, 2 (1997), 87-94.
C. Swindon (1997), Disengagement in Africa, Journal of Politics, 35,
3: 153-174.
Brian Smith, A Sustainable Peace?, book chapter, O. Furley and R.
May, (eds.) Ending Africas Conflicts, 2006, Aldershot: Ashgate Press.
Hemp, G. Autocratic Leaders of Asia, Third World, Vol.19, No.1,
1998, pp. 113-25.
Representation in Politics edited by Marian Sawer and Gianni Zappala
(Melbourne: Melbourne Press, 2001).

Possible structure for essay/dissertation

Evaluate the impact of Truth Commissions and Special Courts for war
crimes in post-conflict situations.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Identify which countries

The rationale for both
Background to their being set up in case studies
Narrative of their functioning/process
Impact by categories of people and by theme
(reconciliation/justice) (national/international)
6. Evaluation of overall benefits/hazards
References conforming to CU Harvard
Hanlon, J., and Smart, T. (2008) Development in Mozambique. Suffolk:
James Currey Ltd.
Hemp, G. (1998) Autocratic Leaders of Asia. Third World 19 (1),
1998, 113-25
Meredith W. (2006) Civil Society in Malaysia. California: Stanford
Press
Sawer, M., and Zappala, G. eds. (2001) Representation in Politics.
Melbourne: Melbourne Press
Smith, B. (2006) A Sustainable Peace? in Ending Africas Conflicts.
ed. by Furley, O., and May, R. Aldershot: Ashgate Press
Swindon, C. (1997) Disengagement in Africa. Journal of Politics 35
(3), 153-174
Whist, B. (1997) Escape from Domination. Politics 17 (2), 87-94