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Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations
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Writing Successful Reports and Dissertations

First Edition
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January 2015 | 208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Are you unsure what your report should look like or how you’ll ever finish it in time?  Are you freaking out about starting on an extended piece of writing?

Help is here!  In this handy little book, you’ll find expert guidance to enable you to produce a successful report or dissertation.  With a focus on developing an effective writing style and argument, this book shows you, step-by-step, how to plan and deliver a perfect piece of writing to gain top marks. 

Open up to find advice on:

  • What makes dissertations and reports distinctive
  • Organising your time and materials
  • Finding the right planning method for you
  • How to structure your writing successfully
  • Writing good sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters.

Read this book and you’re on your way to writing a great report or dissertation!

Student Success is a series of essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to boosting your employability and managing your wellbeing, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. 


 
Introduction
 
Part I: Pondering
 
Why a Dissertation?
 
What Is Distinctive about a Dissertation?
 
What Are Research Questions?
 
What Makes a Good Dissertation?
 
When and Why Would I Write a Report?
 
What Is Distinctive about a Report?
 
Should I Be Asking Research Questions in a Report?
 
Part II: Preparing
 
Devising a Strategy
 
Gathering Material
 
Finding Your Voice
 
Part III: Planning
 
Are You a Natural Planner?
 
A Planning Strategy
 
Your First Step
 
Four Planning Methods
 
Part IV: Pausing
 
Negative Pauses
 
Necessary Pauses
 
Positive Pauses
 
Part V: Producing
 
Words
 
Phrases
 
Sentences
 
Paragraphs
 
Sections and Chapters
 
Part VI: Polishing
 
Increasing Impact
 
Checking your Document
 
Now Take Your Fingers off the Keyboard

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Includes useful tips on planning and undertaking a dissertation for undergraduate students

Miss Sue Lillyman
Instiutute of health and society, University of Worcester
October 29, 2015

I really like this book, a valuable resource for our students, especially when it comes to writing in specific situations (term papers, bachelor thesis).

Ms Anja Reicherstorfer
Language Center, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
October 16, 2015

Very helpful support for dissertations and projects.

Mr David Potter
Business and Management, Glyndwr University
December 8, 2015

A useful study skills handbook which is ideal for offering guidance and information for dissertations and reports.
The use of the 'top tips' gives the reader some snapshot guidance to consider to better inform the research process.
The sections guide you through the elements pre, during and post researching and writing.
A useful text for undergraduates starting their first research topics as well as post graduates for a handy refresher.

Mr Ian Jones
Health, Community & Social Care, Bradford College
August 24, 2015

maybe useful for undergraduate students

Dr Brian Nyatanga
Allied Health Sciences, University of Worcester
September 18, 2015

The book is comprehensive, well paced and systematic in its contents of the different stages of writing. It is a must read for anyone undertaking dissertation.

Mrs Yetunde Akinnuoye
Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University
May 17, 2015

A great resource for academics supervising dissertations: good ideas about how to guide students through the minefield

Dr Niamh Flanagan
Social Science , University College Dublin
May 9, 2015

Looks good but does not work with our assignments.

Mr Mike Kershaw
Management , Knowsley Community College
April 29, 2015

In my view this is a very student friendly text. It is well-expressed and clearly structured with helpful diagrams, text boxes and top tips sections. I especially liked the section on ‘finding your voice’.

Miss Jacky Foster
Camborne College, Cornwall College
April 29, 2015

Already proving helpful, especially to my dissertation writing lectures with good examples and references

Dr George Varvatsoulias
Counselling, Newham College of Further Education
April 16, 2015