The writing guidelines Wise 24 lives by — and you can too.
Every submission we produce follows a disciplined, repeatable method. Here is the full playbook — referencing, essays, dissertations, case studies and the UK conventions that separate a solid grade from a standout one.
Referencing support
Referencing errors can cost easy marks. Always ask for a final audit of in-text citations and the reference list — every in-text citation should appear in the list, and vice versa.
Harvard (Cite Them Right)
Keep punctuation and formatting consistent. Every in-text citation should appear in the list, and vice versa.
APA 7
Use sentence case for article titles, and include DOIs where available.
OSCOLA
Keep footnotes consistent and use correct short forms.
Vancouver
Number sources in order of appearance and update numbering after edits.
Writing techniques for an essay
Start with a sharp question
Rewrite the task as one clear question. Every paragraph should help answer it.
State the thesis early
A specific thesis makes structure and evidence selection easier.
Make each paragraph do one job
One idea per paragraph. Evidence. Then a link back to the question.
Compare before concluding
Put studies in conversation. Explain why they agree or differ.
How to write a dissertation (UK)
Here is the end-to-end path most programmes expect. Adapt timings to your degree and field, but the logic stays the same. A calm, high-scoring thesis is built on disciplined, repeatable steps — not a single burst of inspiration.
The end-to-end path
- Scope: pick a feasible problem; test data or text access.
- Frame: convert curiosity into research questions or hypotheses.
- Survey: map the literature; identify debates and gaps.
- Design: align methodology to questions; justify choices.
- Generate or gather: collect data or assemble sources with an audit trail.
- Analyse: use appropriate statistics or qualitative coding; log decisions.
- Write: chapters in the conventional order (intro → literature → methods → results → discussion → conclusion).
- Polish: edit, format, reference; prepare appendices.
- Submit: run final checks; comply with rules; upload calmly.
- Viva: prepare a short deck and anticipated Q&A; plan corrections.
Traits of strong research questions
- Precise (no vague “explore everything”).
- Answerable with your data and design.
- Connected to current debates and the identified gap.
Objectives that map to chapters
- O1: synthesise the literature and locate the gap.
- O2: justify and execute a defensible design.
- O3: present results that answer each question directly.
- O4: interpret implications and limits fairly.
Four-step synthesis loop
Synthesise by theme or mechanism, not chronologically. Show the debate, then show the gap.
- Search: define keywords/databases; document strings and dates.
- Screen: apply inclusion/exclusion criteria; record decisions.
- Extract: capture methods, samples, key findings, limits.
- Synthesise: group into themes; explain agreements, tensions, and gaps.
Quantitative essentials
- Design and sampling strategy.
- Measures; reliability and validity.
- Analysis plan: tests/models, effect sizes, assumptions, model fit.
Qualitative essentials
- Approach (thematic analysis, IPA, grounded theory).
- Recruitment, sampling, context.
- Analytic steps; reflexivity; audit trail.
Mixed-methods essentials
- Design (convergent/explanatory/exploratory).
- Integration logic and joint displays.
- Note convergence, complementarity, or divergence.
In summary
Start by narrowing scope and confirming access to data. Frame research questions you can answer within your word count and keep them visible in headings and captions. Treat the literature as a map of debates; end each section with a targeted gap statement. Justify your methods, report results as an evidence engine, and reserve extended interpretation for the discussion. Edit in passes — structure, argument, style, surface — and reference meticulously. Ethical practice anchors everything: you remain the author; legitimate help includes tutoring, language editing, formatting and reference audits, never data fabrication or ghost authorship.
Writing case studies
A strong case study proves you can apply theory to a real situation with disciplined evidence and clear judgement. Most UK rubrics converge on six pillars:
- Relevance: every section answers the set question.
- Knowledge: accurate concepts, current debates, UK-relevant sources.
- Critical analysis: evaluation of assumptions, alternatives, risks and trade-offs.
- Application: frameworks used correctly on the case, not just described.
- Presentation: structure, language, visuals and professional formatting.
- Referencing & integrity: complete, consistent citations and clear authorship.
Evidence base
- Academic: peer-reviewed journals, recent reviews, UK studies.
- Policy/regulatory: OfS, NHS, CMA, ICO, FCA, BEIS.
- Industry: reputable consultancies, trade bodies, audited reports.
Strategy & markets frameworks
- PESTLE — what shifts the environment?
- Five Forces — where does power sit?
- VRIO / RBV — sources of sustained advantage.
- Value Chain — where to add value or cut cost.
Operations & delivery
- Lean / bottleneck analysis: identify constraints.
- Cost–benefit / NPV: tie to cash flow and risk.
People, change, law & health
- Stakeholder mapping (influence vs interest).
- Kotter / Lewin: change levers and adoption risks.
- Clinical governance / NICE / NMC alignment.
- IRAC (law): issue, rule, application, conclusion.
Correct structures by subject
There is no single template, but readers expect a clear journey. Use these patterns and adapt with your supervisor's guidance.
Business & management
- Executive summary: what, why, how much, next.
- Context; problem statement; analysis (2–4 frameworks).
- Options with trade-offs; recommendation; implementation.
- Conclusion: expected impact and limitations.
Nursing & healthcare
- Patient presentation (anonymised), setting, safeguarding.
- Assessment aligned to NICE / NMC.
- Evidence-based interventions; ethics and consent.
- Evaluation via reflective model (Gibbs/Rolfe).
Law problem question
- Issues identified.
- Rules (authorities & statute) with OSCOLA precision.
- Application to facts for each issue.
- Conclusion per issue, then overall advice.
Engineering / IT
- Requirements, constraints, standards (BS/EN/ISO).
- Design options and selection criteria.
- Method, calculations/algorithms, testing.
- Results, trade-offs, recommendation.
Psychology / social sciences
- Case context and ethical clearance.
- Theoretical lens and operational definitions.
- Method and analysis (APA 7).
- Findings, then discussion of limits and implications.
Public policy & economics
- Policy context and problem definition.
- Evidence base (UK & international).
- Option set with distributional analysis.
- Cost–benefit, sensitivity, implementation risks.
Style, tone & UK English conventions
Readable work scores higher. Keep drafts concise and purposeful.
- Prefer active verbs (“we recommend…”) and concrete nouns.
- Open paragraphs with the point; close with a link to the brief.
- Use UK spelling (organisation, analyse, behaviour).
- Keep sentences mostly 16–22 words; vary for emphasis.
PEEL / TEEL keeps paragraphs tight
- Point — claim in the first sentence.
- Evidence — data, guidelines, or authority.
- Explanation — why it matters here.
- Link — back to the thesis or forward to the next idea.
Quality checks: editing layers
Layered editing is the quiet advantage of disciplined work. Four passes catch nearly everything:
1 · Structure pass
Does each section do a job that maps to the brief?
2 · Paragraph pass
PEEL/TEEL present? Topic sentences clear?
3 · Sentence pass
Verbs strong, jargon trimmed, UK spelling consistent.
4 · References pass
In-text ↔ list match; style rules correct.
Outlines by assignment type
Essay outline
- Introduction: aim, scope, roadmap.
- Key concepts and context.
- Critical comparison of perspectives (evidence-led).
- Application to case/data with evaluation.
- Conclusion: answer, limits, implications. References.
Report outline
- Executive summary (write last).
- Introduction and objectives.
- Methods and data sources.
- Findings (tables/figures).
- Analysis, options, recommendation, risks. References & appendices.
Mastering assignment writing
Think of it as a compact workflow:
- Decode the brief: verbs (analyse, evaluate), scope, criteria, word count.
- Frame a thesis: a one-sentence answer you can defend throughout.
- Map the structure: headings that mirror the brief and criteria.
- Curate evidence: 8–15 credible sources for 1,500–2,000 words.
- Draft with purpose: one claim per paragraph, backed by sources and analysis.
- Reference check: use the required style accurately and run a final sweep.
Top 10 strategies
- Understand the brief fully — clarify command verbs, deliverables, length and style.
- Research strategically — prioritise peer-reviewed journals and official guidance.
- Build a clear thesis — it sets direction and keeps paragraphs aligned.
- Create a working outline — convert criteria into headings and sub-headings.
- Use quality sources — capture full citations as you read.
- Write in your own voice — paraphrase, compare and evaluate.
- Edit ruthlessly — cut repetition, strengthen topic sentences.
- Stick to the word count — trim low-impact content.
- Reference correctly — check every detail against your style guide.
- Proofread before submission — read aloud or use text-to-speech.
Advanced techniques
- Synthesise ideas, don't stack summaries — use compare/contrast and theme tables.
- Adopt analytical frameworks — SWOT/PESTLE, Gibbs/Kolb, IRAC/ILAC; justify your choice.
- Use signposting language — “However, the weight of evidence suggests…”.
- Balance description with analysis — a 10–15% narrative cap keeps focus on reasoning.
- Manage time with micro-deadlines — plan research, outlining, drafting and editing blocks.