I wanted to provide some guidance on achieving first-class results in law exams and essays, which can be adapted to writing a first-class dissertation. Here’s how to approach it, drawing on my experience. 

• Understanding the Question/Topic

  • Carefully read and understand the dissertation question or topic. Identify the central legal issue(s) and any sub-issues.

  • Underline key words in the topic to stay focused.

  • Make sure you fully understand the requirements of the question.

• Planning and Organization

  • Create a clear and logical structure for your dissertation, including an introduction, main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

  • Organize your arguments and supporting evidence in a logical and systematic manner.

  • Divide your answer into sections or paragraphs, each addressing a specific issue.

  • Consider outlining your main points, case law and statutes before writing to help you to organize your ideas.

• Research

  • Conduct thorough research on the relevant legal principles, statutes, and case law.

  • Consult authoritative sources, such as legal textbooks, journals, and reputable online databases.

  • Familiarize yourself with the current legal context and any recent developments in the area.

• Introduction

  • Provide a brief overview of the topic and state the main argument or thesis.

  • Include a thesis statement that presents your main argument or position.

  • Engage the reader and provide the necessary context for understanding the topic.

  • Provide definitions of any keywords found in the essay question.

  • Keep the introduction short, about 2-4 sentences, outlining the major issues.

• Analysis and Arguments

  • Provide a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the key legal principles and arguments.

  • Support your arguments with relevant legal authorities, such as statutes and case law.

  • Consider and address counterarguments or alternative perspectives.

  • Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different legal arguments or interpretations.

  • Don't simply restate the law, but provide a thoughtful and in-depth analysis.

• Use of Authorities

  • Accurately cite and reference all the legal authorities and sources you use.

  • Correctly apply the legal principles to the facts of the essay question.

  • Do not waste time retelling the whole story of a case; instead, state the principle or ruling of the case to support your point.

  • Cite the case name and year.

  • Use single quotation marks for quotations that are three lines or shorter.

• Structure and Coherence

  • Ensure there is a logical flow of ideas and arguments throughout the dissertation.

  • Make sure paragraphs are well-structured and focused on a single point or sub-argument.

  • Use clear transition words or phrases to guide the reader.

• Critical Thinking

  • Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments or interpretations.

  • Present arguments on both sides and from various perspectives before reaching a conclusion.

  • Present a balanced argument and include any views which are contrary to your own.

  • Make an informed judgment and persuade the reader of your argument, but also point out any flaws and counter arguments.

  • Critically examine and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explaining the different ways they could be understood or interpreted.

  • Adopt a questioning approach and consider a variety of different viewpoints.

• Conclusion

  • Reach a conclusion for each legal issue based on the analysis and arguments provided.

  • Clearly explain the reasoning behind each conclusion.

  • Restate the thesis and provide a clear and concise final statement.

  • Effectively summarize the main points and arguments made in the dissertation.

  • Provide your viewpoint or judgement based on the arguments you have presented.

• Writing Style

  • Write your dissertation in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate legal terminology.

  • Avoid unnecessary jargon.

  • Use words like ‘likely’, ‘possible’, and ‘highly likely’ instead of absolute words.

  • Ensure your spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct.

  • Avoid contractions.

  • Write formally and impersonally, using phrases such as "In advising Tom..." or "Tom is advised that..." instead of using personal writing such as "Dear Tom, My advice to you is...".

  • Proofread your answer for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

  • Pay attention to the proper use of punctuation.

  • Make sure your handwriting is clear and easy to read.

• Plagiarism

  • Avoid plagiarism by paraphrasing source texts using your own words.

  • Give credit to the sources using the referencing style required by your professor.

• General Advice

  • Don't deviate from the question.

  • Answer the question directly.

  • Plan your dissertation before writing.

  • Be prepared to discuss the issue from different perspectives, such as its benefits and drawbacks.

  • Make sure you understand the meaning of the essay question words.

  • Study the essay question words carefully because these words give you the direction of the essay you are going to write.

By following these steps, you can write a well-researched, well-structured, and critically analyzed dissertation that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the law and meets the requirements for a first-class grade.