Case Study Writing Assignment
Students faced with case study writing may find themselves in a quandary. They may never have produced one before, and in this situation, really do not know how to write a case study. Most case study writing is assigned in business programs, although they can be assigned in various humanities course work, as well. For purposes of this article, we will focus on business case studies and provide the business student with a general overview of the purpose and the actual production of a case study.
Generally, an instructor will provide instructions regarding case study writing assignment, whether the document is to be produced individually or as a group project. In addition to this guide, it will be, therefore, important to study carefully the course instructions you are given. An additional activity in which you will want to engage is to look at case study example writings to get models as you begin to prepare your own. This article is meant to give you a general idea of the business case study itself.
All case study writing is composed of four sections the introduction, the company background and information, the statement and analysis of the angle, the issue, the dilemma, or the challenge (along with a thorough analysis and alternative solutions), and, of course, a short summary, which will justify your recommendations. At the end of the case study, moreover, will be a works cited page, and all of the exhibits which one has referred to in the text itself. Let's take a look at each of these sections in greater detail.
Case Study Writing Structure
| Introduction |
This section should be no more than 2 pages, but it must be creative and compelling. The purpose is to "hook" the reader with a story, about the company itself or about one of the major players in the company who face an issue, question, challenge, etc. It is often a good idea to leave the introduction of case study writing until the end, for once you have put the entire study together, you can create an introduction that relates to the entire piece in a unique way. |
| Company Information |
This is the research meat of your study, and as such, will require headings and sub-headings. First, you must provide a history of the company, explaining how it has got to where it is today. You will also touch on the industry itself and the company's competitors. Here, you will begin to direct your reader. For example, case studies in management will begin to focus on company management; case studies on marketing will begin to turn to that portion of the company's strategies. For this section, you will need to dig into all of the information available on the company using Internet financial information, Standard and Poor's Information, news articles, financial magazines, public information sources, and, indeed, the company itself. This will require huge amounts of time, and you should be prepared for it! Common sections include company's background, where the company sits within its industry today, financial information, corporate culture. Generally, instructors will refine these section headings for their students. An important sub-heading of this section will include your SWOT analysis in which you will include what you have determined to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that comprise this company's current and/or future position. It is at this point in the case study that you will identify an issue, a problem, a dilemma, a challenge, or a quality of the company upon which you will focus. |
| Summary or Conclusion |
The third section of case study writing proposes alternative solutions to the issue, challenge, or position you have identified. Each potential solution must be analyzed for advantages and disadvantages and its impact on the important related functions/departments/personnel of the company. In the end, you will make a recommendation and will justify that recommendation with a compelling argument. This should be a short synopsis of your argument, not a summary of the entire piece. Keep it "short and sweet" and to the point. Your work is over, and you simply need to say "goodbye". |
Additional Important Considerations are as Follows:
- Transitions are extremely important as you move from one section to the next and from one sub-section to another. Everything should flow with fluency and coherence.
- Do not allow grammatical errors to impact your grade. Poor writing may influence your grade significantly no matter how good the content may be.
- Be certain that your exhibits are clear and precise; and be certain that your case study writing ends with a properly formatted section.
- Do not overlook company information as you develop Section 2. Companies publish annual reports, and studying them will give you invaluable information.
- If your instructor has given you a specific focus area, be certain to stick to it.
It is our hope that this guide has provided a skeleton from which you are able to develop exceptional business case studies. If you have a choice of companies about which to write case studies in management or case studies in marketing, be certain to choose one about which you have some enthusiasm or interest.
If you are struggling with case study writing, be certain to read several samples to gain a better understanding of the structure and contents. In addition to that, feel free to contact us with any assistance you may need. We are a custom online essay writing service that provides exceptional writing help of all kinds, and that help includes business case studies. You can buy case study writing sample products at a relatively cheap price. If you need assistance with writing any section of your case study or if you would like to have one of our business professionals review and edit a case study you have produced, feel free to contact us.
