How to structure law dissertation

Hi, I am in my final year of my law degree and am taking the dissertation module. I was just wondering whether anyone could give me any advice on how to start structuring my dissertation, as I have set ideas (i'm basing it on contract law) but I am just finding it difficult to actually start the research as it feels a bit overwhelming?
If anyone who has done a diss could give me a bit of advice on how they structured their plan/essay/research etc. that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Reply 1

ASAPy24

3

Original post by maddis0nw

Hi, I am in my final year of my law degree and am taking the dissertation module. I was just wondering whether anyone could give me any advice on how to start structuring my dissertation, as I have set ideas (i'm basing it on contract law) but I am just finding it difficult to actually start the research as it feels a bit overwhelming?
If anyone who has done a diss could give me a bit of advice on how they structured their plan/essay/research etc. that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

It is extremely easy if you put your mind to it, depending on the nature of your research design.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

19

Original post by maddis0nw

Hi, I am in my final year of my law degree and am taking the dissertation module. I was just wondering whether anyone could give me any advice on how to start structuring my dissertation, as I have set ideas (i'm basing it on contract law) but I am just finding it difficult to actually start the research as it feels a bit overwhelming?
If anyone who has done a diss could give me a bit of advice on how they structured their plan/essay/research etc. that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I am currently supervising the preparation of dissertations by some students on an LLM course.

My first suggestion is that you ought not to have a fixed idea before you have researched your topic. You should be open to changing your mind as you read.

Like any piece of good writing, a good dissertation should have a beginning, a middle, and an ending.

The opening section should provide the reader with a road map, indicating in broad terms what lies ahead.

The middle section should discuss the chosen topic in detail, by reference to the sources relied on. It should set out the author's thesis, and deal with the antithesis.

The ending should summarise the conclusions reached by the discussion set out in the middle section.

The dissertation should be accompanied by footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography, according to the rubric set by your university. You should adhere to the word limit if there is one.

Make the work look like it would if printed in a book or a journal.

Write in short sentences and short paragraphs. Use only the active voice. Minimise the use of adjectives and adverbs.

Have fun, good luck.

How to structure law dissertation

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