1. Originality. All dissertations involve the investigation of original aims or ideas. For a 1st class grade, however, you must demonstrate considerable originality in various areas, including objectives, critical thinking and findings. Think ahead when formulating your research questions in order to avoid being limited to spent areas of research.

2. Content. Careful decisions concerning the title of your dissertation can make the difference between a rather dull piece of work which struggles to generate fresh ideas, and an interesting and engaging topic which fits with the existing literature in unexpected and stimulating ways. Markers are only human: captivate them and maintain their interest.

3. Data collection. In aiming for a 1st class grade, you will be well versed in the comparative benefits and drawbacks of different data collection methods. Clearly demonstrate this thorough understanding of methodology to leave the marker in no doubt of your reasons for selecting one method over another.

4. Conceptual framework. An absolute must for achieving a 1st class mark, your conceptual thinking will be impressive to say the least. Emphasise the relationships between ideas and your consummate ability to identify the salient issues in any body of literature. Relate an established conceptual framework to your own findings.

5. Structure and organisation. Do not be fooled into thinking that paragraphs, subheadings and chapter organisation is trivial next to the impressive analytical acuity evident in your text. Sound structure is a prerequisite for proper comprehension, without which your glowing insights will be sadly lost.

6. Quality of expression. Spelling, punctuation and grammar will naturally be flawless. Your command of subject-specific vocabulary and specialist terms must also be very strong. Make each paragraph, and each sentence, count. Ensure all points move on from the last in a coherent and logical development of thought.

7. Literature. Plainly speaking, it is impossible to write a 1st class dissertation without a wide and meaningful engagement with the relevant subject literature. At no point when reading your essay should the marker be in any doubt of your many hours in the library. Reference broad ranging but relevant texts.

8. Critical analysis. Every piece of literature cited in your dissertation should have been submitted to your merciless critical eye. Is it relevant? Have you thoroughly understood it? Have you considered its comparative significance for the question at hand? Have you identified the key issues and appropriated them to your own ends? If not, it should not be there.

9. Findings. Having so diligently considered the merits of your research questions, and so painstakingly assembled, analysed and contextualised the data, it would be a shame to undermine the whole thing by concluding with findings that fail to address your stated aims. Make your findings relevant, interesting and compellingly argued.

10. Academic conventions. The consistent use of an appropriate referencing system should, in terms of marks for your dissertation, be money in the bank. There are no excuses at this level for shoddily assembled bibliographies, appendices and footnotes. For a 1st class grade become a serious scholar.

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1. Opening sections. There are a number of standard devices used in the opening sections of dissertations which are usually precisely specified by faculty notices. Do not forget these elements – title page, acknowledgements, contents page – as they are standard requirements, not mere trivialities.

2. Abstract. The abstract consists of usually no more than a single page of text and summarises the entire dissertation. In order to write a good abstract it is necessary to understand its purpose, which is to provide researching academics with a short-hand summary of an extended piece of work to decide whether or not it would be worthwhile for them to read it. All elements of the dissertation should be represented here, including methodology and findings.

3. Task definition. Ensure that you have defined and explained your research aims and the purpose of your dissertation early on. As with all structuring considerations, the aim is clarity of expression. Therefore guide your reader clearly through the piece by establishing early on its primary concerns.

4. Early chapters. The first chapters should be an introductory section followed usually by a review of the existing literature. Discussions of scope, purpose, constraints and objectives are addressed in the introduction, and the literature review provides the space for a full contextualisation of the present work.

5. Middle chapters. Following from the introduction and literature review is the chapter on methodology. Note how the typical sequence of chapters builds, each upon the last, in a logical progression, setting up the information necessary for later findings and conclusions to be meaningful. After the methodology is the chapter on the discussion and analysis of findings.

6. Final chapters. Depending on the particular nature of your research, the analysis and discussion of findings may be split into two chapters. In any case, each should have its own subheading. The concluding chapter makes the analysis of findings meaningful and links to the broader academic context. There should be some symmetry of structure here, with final concluding discussions recalling material from the beginning of the dissertation.

7. From the theoretical to the evidential. Clearly it is the case that different types of research will require different approaches to structure, but in general it is worth noting the value of making the piece show development from theory to evidence. Begin with background theory and a strong conceptual framework, then introduce novel evidence to test or fit this theory. This type of development lends your dissertation a unifying arc.

8. Subheadings. Consecutive pages of uninterrupted prose can leave the reader wondering exactly where each detail fits in the wider picture of your dissertation. Subheadings are a useful way to break up prose for the benefit of the reader, and as a reminder to you when writing that tangents should be eliminated and focus maintained.

9. Ancillary elements. Title and contents pages, bibliography, appendices: these should not be seen as constraints but opportunities. Each serves some function, and gives you space to break up the writing of your sustained research project into manageable sections. Read available dissertations and find out how best to use appendices and other ancillary devices.

10. Review. Look back over your dissertation once complete. You will naturally proofread the piece, but consider looking it over at a glance to see whether the piece makes intuitive sense by its chapter titles and subheadings alone. If so, you have achieved a sound structure which aids in the clear expression of the dissertation’s content. If not, you will have to reorganise material.

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1. Specifications. Understand your departmental specifications for writing a dissertation to ensure that you fully understand what is expected of you. Such specifications should be seen as an aid rather than a hindrance. This is likely the most challenging piece of work you have attempted, so make it manageable by considering each aspect of the specification in turn.

2. Read other available dissertations. Most university departments will keep back copies of previous dissertations for you to read on request. Make use of this opportunity to develop a sense of how your finished piece might feel. You can also find plenty of tips for structure, style and tone.

3. Plan your time. Any dissertation takes a great many hours of research, reading, thinking and drafting. Set yourself realistic goals for completing certain tasks or sections of your work. Not only will this make the entire project more manageable, but will help instil the discipline necessary to achieve the best possible marks.

4. Draw up a chapter list. Structuring your dissertation is extremely important, so set about doing this as early as possible. This will not mean that you are committed entirely to a predetermined plan, but will help retain focus in your writing and thoroughness in detail. Consult other dissertations and departmental advice for a general approach to chapter headings and the appropriate organisation of material.

5. Not just chapters. Be familiar with proper usage of ancillary elements such as abstracts, bibliographies, appendices, diagrams, and so forth. Your chosen referencing system should also be consistently adhered to and written with the proper notation. Once again, reading examples of other people’s work is often the best way to familiarise yourself with these sometimes confusing extra elements.

6. Progression and development. A dissertation is an extended piece of writing which should ideally sustain interest throughout. A clear progression and development of ideas and arguments helps this cause enormously. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a movement from an early concern with theory to a later focus on evidence.

7. Departmental relationships. Different faculties in different universities will provide varying types of support. Almost always there should be at least one member of staff whose advice can be sought when in doubt. Consulting the expertise of professional academics is rarely a bad move, and can often clarify the best route available in writing your dissertation.

8. Tone and style. Be mindful of hitting the right note in terms of tone and style. Avoid familiarity and remove the first person except where necessary. For those struggling with the academic register, show your work to peers and consider their advice in how the piece comes across.

9. Assessment criteria. As well as providing detailed specifications, most departments will be able to provide on request the criteria by which your dissertation will be ultimately assessed. Familiarise yourself with the number and variety of different criteria, and consider also the way in which marking is weighted between different sections of the work, as this can provide clues for structuring the text.

10. Back up files! Back up computer files as you go along, make hard copies of completed chapters, or use online data storage if need be. This is a big piece of work requiring a great deal of effort over a long period. Stave off potential disaster by taking proper precautions against theft or damage to your computer.

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