Tackling
Research Essays in Business Law
Your research essay in Business Law focuses on a particular area of contract law.
You are expected to read a number of texts on the topic, researching it thoroughly. Using this information, you are expected to present a detailed analysis of the topic in essay form, demonstrating that you have a good understanding of it.
Research topics may contain a quotation from a legal text. A first step is to locate the quotation in the relevant text. Because these quotations provide a context or background for the essay topic, it is useful to read the section of the text from which the quotation has been taken. In addition, it is important to consider the relevance of the quote to the question. You need to determine whether the quote is integral to the question and needs to be discussed in your response to the question. On the other hand, the quote may just provide background to the topic, which means that you won’t need to incorporate it into your discussion of the topic.
Please note that this information on quotations in research essays provides general information for all essays. Your topic for this semester does contain a quotation, so it is important to go to the source of the quote and understand its meaning by reading what comes before and after the quote. This particular quote just provides background information on the topic. In fact, it describes the concept of Illegality.
You need to start reading on the topic and locating general information about it to provide a context for your discussion in your essay.
What does researching the topic mean?
Researching the topic requires you to go to the library to locate texts on it. You are expected to read at least three or four texts and possibly some journal articles. Journals can be issued quite regularly, perhaps two or three times a year, and contain articles by specialists in their field on a range of legal issues. These articles are not lengthy and may present controversial views on a variety of legal issues. They are more current than textbooks so they should form part of your reading list. Please note that libraries collect journals which cover a wide variety of subject areas.
You are required to research the topic thoroughly and gather the necessary information on the topic. As you read try to gain a real understanding of the topic rather than just copy down slabs of the material. You need to be selective in your reading, only taking notes on the material relevant to the topic. Make sure you write down the bibliographical details of the texts/journals you are reading at this time. You need this information for your footnotes and bibliography in your essay. Note down the author/s, title of text, date of publication, publisher, place of publication. With journal articles, you also need to note down the title of the article, as well as the title of the journal, including the issue number. Do not be hesitant about asking library staff to help you locate texts and journal articles. Use the library facilities to search for articles/books etc on the topic.
The essay should have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
Introduction:
Body:
Conclusion:
It is acceptable to use headings, so you can break up your essay into sections with headings. You are required to write a logical and well-structured essay which includes a discussion of legal principles, relevant cases and, if required, statute law.
Below I have given information on the procedures you need to follow in the final phase of preparing your essay for presentation.
Footnoting
Remember the procedure for setting out information in your footnotes ie. first name/s, surname, title of text, edition number, date of publication, publisher, place of publication and page number/s. Choose an order to present your information in your footnotes and stick with it. Check the subject guide for information about footnoting journal articles and citing electronic sources.
Bibliography
Remember this should be in alphabetical order and should include all the information you have given in your footnotes, except the page numbers. However, the surname should come first in your bibliography and, as well, you need to cite the relevant page numbers of journal articles when you include them in your bibliography.
Synopsis
This is a summary of the main points/arguments you have included in your essay and your conclusions/opinion on the topic and it should come after your title page. It should be approximately 5-10% of the length of your essay. It is often a good idea to write the synopsis after you have written your essay. Remember that your synopsis is not included in your word count.
Good luck with you essay. Remember to use all the available resources to assist you with writing your essay - my text 'How to Study Business Law', the subject guide/tutorial program and this website. Happy writing!