Learn the craft of writing a high-quality, high-mark university essay with this step-by-step guide. Suitable for all students - from making the transition to university study that much easier to refining your technique for the final year - this accessible and concise book leads you through the complete essay-writing process in five straightforward steps. The book is packed with best practice tips, common student mistakes (and how to avoid them!), and practical templates that have been designed to help you write your university essays. You will discover new techniques for deconstructing essay questions, like GALA; a complete Harvard Referencing catalogue, showing you how to properly record sources and references; and a generic essay template to help you cover everything necessary for those top marks. Once you read this book, you will never have to ask the following questions - because you will know the answers: * What is this question asking me to do? * How should I structure my essay? * What goes in an Introduction? * How do I write a meaningful paragraph? * How do I cite a source properly? * What is 'background information'? * How do I evaluate someone's work? * What goes in a Conclusion? * How do I create a reference list? * What do I do with feedback?

Succeeding with your Master's Dissertation is a thorough and comprehensive guide for postgraduate dissertation students. Now in its fifth edition, it offers clear, straightforward and practical support for each stage of the master's dissertation. Brimming with examples of good practice, to help students to reach their full potential, this fully updated and revised edition takes students through the entire writing process, from start to finish, from proposal to submission. Featuring detailed guidance on how to: *Clarify your research objectives *Produce a research proposal *Complete each chapter of a traditional dissertation: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methods, Findings, and Conclusion *Reference sources *Add a professional touch *Prepare for a viva This is essential reading for social science students of all disciplines. Additional, tailored advice is provided on: *Writing about theory and practice *Critiquing what you have created *Completing a systematic review I first became aware of John's work on how to undertake your MSc when he came to give a presentation on this subject to our cohort of MSc students. I loved his methodology and practical advice. I bought this book and since then have tried to apply its advice to the MSc students I supervise and others I have tried to help. Buy it, it will help you - it's worth every penny. Dr Mario Antonioletti, EPCC, The University of Edinburgh, UK In this book John Biggam, offers a clear background on why a dissertation is a standard part of many Masters programmes, and provides a user-friendly approach to planning and writing large pieces of work. Pragmatic advice and guidance on good practise will help students to keep on track with their dissertation, and avoid common errors. The book is written in a reassuring way which should be applicable to students across disciplines. Donna Murray, Head of Taught Student Development, The University of Edinburgh, UK Biggam's book, now in its fifth edition, is the go-to guide to researching and producing a Master's dissertation. Taking a practical, skills-based yet scholarly approach, it is current, comprehensive and rigorous. Standout content includes sections on common mistakes made by students, useful templates and a unique chapter on Dissertations by Practice, making it an instructive resource for students of the social sciences and humanities alike. Dr Kate Daniels, Senior Teaching Officer in Academic Training & Development for International Students, University of Cambridge, UK

What do I need to do to write a literature, context or systematic review? How do I explain my research methods and write up my findings? Help! How do I prepare for a viva? This essential handbook carefully guides the student through the entire dissertation process from start to finish, offering clear, straightforward and practical advice. Biggam uses clear illustrations of what students should do- or not do - to reach their full potential, helping them to succeed with their dissertation and avoid common pitfalls along the way. Thoroughly updated, this popular book takes the student from research proposal, through literature reviews, research methods, and writing up, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, through to submission and marking, featuring: * New chapter on 'Introducing the Master's Dissertation' focusing on the skills you need to succeed * New material on Contextual Review for computer science, art and performance art students * Updated material on the benefits of using university library databases and social media in research * Expanded advice on the emotional journey and where to find assistance and support * New Research Methods chapter for art, drama and computer science students This is key reading for any social science, business, humanities or healthcare student required to complete a dissertation as part of their studies. It will also prove useful for undergraduate students considering postgraduate studies and for supervisors facilitating dissertation supervision. "This book is a really excellent and friendly guide through the Master's dissertation process. It is clearly and engagingly written and easily understandable to a student. It also guides students gently from a general understanding in the first chapter, down to a significant level of detail in each subsequent chapter with worked examples and relevant practical tips. It also usefully highlights common mistakes. The book presents a realistic view of undertaking a Master's degree, presenting the generic skills needed for success and acknowledging that life outside the dissertation is complex, messy, and can sometimes get in the way! It is particularly useful and relevant to my students as, unlike many other books on this topic, it does not ignore practice-based forms of research, in fact the book includes a substantial chapter on practice-as-research in the creative disciplines. This chapter includes software alongside creative arts and is therefore particularly suitable for inter- or multi-disciplinary postgraduates using technology to enhance their existing understanding of a subject (or their practice) through research. I also really like the fact that the chapter on Abstracts is at the end (where it belongs!) and that students are explicitly told to write it last - no matter how many times I tell my students this, it is a common and recurring mistake!" Daisy Abbott, School of Simulation and Visualisation, The Glasgow School of Art, UK "The dissertation component of a Master's programme can be very daunting for students. In this book John Biggam demystifies both the concept, and process of a dissertation. Biggam clearly explains the different parts of a dissertation, and offers a pragmatic structure which can be used by students to help frame their ideas. Also, the guidance given in the book is written in a reassuring tone which is never patronising. The summary on good practise in dissertation writing should be particularly useful during the planning stage, and as a final check for students." Dr Donna Murray SFHEA, Head of Taught Student Development, Institute for Academic Development, The University of Edinburgh, UK