What exactly is critical analysis? Your tutor may have told you to be more critical in your essays. This does not mean that you have to be nasty or rude about anyone or another writer’s point of view. What it means is that to succeed at good essay writing you need to be assessing the facts and making your own mind up about what it all means.
You want to formulate a question that is interesting and relevant to other academics working in the field. There is little purpose in researching something obscure that has no value to the academic community. Of course the primary reason for doing your dissertation is to complete the requirements of your course and pass your degree, but if you can ask a question that is thought provoking and useful it should give you a greater sense of purpose as you do the assignment. Look at some sample dissertations if you need to get a better idea of the sort of title you should be producing.
It’s sensible to spend time on an essay plan. A well-structured essay makes it easier for the marker to understand your arguments. It also shows that you have a clear and logical mind if you’ve set out your essay in an ordered fashion. Plan the essay before you even start the reading.
