DISSERTATION

Develop your Academic Writing Skills

This course will help you to develop your academic writing skills by writing a dissertation.  The purpose of the dissertation is to show that you are able to write (AND PRESENT) in an academic way, carry out research into the relevant academic literature and write about the research in a logical and clear way.

This course enables you to research and write about a topic that is of interest to you.  You will demonstrate your skills in undertaking research, analysing information and investigating topics.  You will have support from your tutor, but you will also be required to demonstrate your ability to write and investigate independently.

Typically dissertations are between 10 - 15,000 words and are undertaken with advise from a supervisor.

The module is designed to lead you stepwise through the main steps required for the development of a dissertation.

There are nine lessons.

• Set a relevant title for your research.
• Decide on aims for your research.
• Carry out a background research relevant to your dissertation.
• Summarise and clearly explain the research.
• Discuss relevant points.
• Argue relevant points related to your dissertation title.
• Follow the correct format for the dissertation.
• Write within the appropriate word limits.
• Use academic language.
• Write references.
• Remember that this is an academic piece of writing. You may choose to study something practical eg. The Development of a Cottage Garden. That is a suitable title, but you must write academically about what is a cottage garden, the plants that are suitable, soil composition, garden designs and so on.
• Present your Dissertation to an audience