Skip to Main Content
USC logo
Library Guides

Case studies

Writing style

The writing style used within case study assessment tasks remains in formal and objective tone (third person). This involves a mixture of paraphrases about the concepts and theory from academic sources, and sentences that link back to details in the case study, to analyse and apply the acquired knowledge. This writing involves: 

  • The case study details, facts, and experience are written in descriptive style, but still in formal tone and style. 
  • The illustration of the case study to make sense of the situation is written in third person, with formal style and tone. Here you examine and analyse the situation and link this to course learning by asking how, why, and what if, and make an evaluation. 
  • The connection or analysis:  
    • is written in third person as you use the experience to compare it with other ideas, readings, and theories, and includes appropriate references. 
    • uses relevant literature and theories to help illuminate the case study situation under review. For example, the experience may be evaluated based on concepts learned and will need to be referenced appropriately and written in third person. 

The importance of paragraph structures in writing case studies

Well-structured paragraphs are an essential strategy when writing a case study assessment task. This is because a clear structure allows the information and connections between the case details and explanations to be linked to the theory and content analysis in a well-organised and logical way.  This makes a piece of writing, and the analysis, easier to read and understand. 

An example of writing style

The example from the Management case study below shows how the student has identified an issue based on actual examples from the case. They have then used theory to explain how this behaviour affects the organisation. Note how the student has used one issue per paragraph in their discussion. 

Table 3. An example of case study writing style

Use numbered headings and sub-headings 

2. Discussion 

2.1 Identification of issues and problems

Identified issue: organisational culture 

A major problem for HealthCo is its organisational culture, typified by the CEO's autocratic leadership style.

 
Examples from the case 

This is demonstrated in HealthCo’s management of its frontline staff, which includes standardisation of work methods, enforced cooperation, and the belief that money is the only motivation for employees.

These are all issues that have led to the current situation at HealthCo and as a consequence, will limit the company's ability to remain an industry leader. 
Integration of theory  This traditional leadership style, based on Taylor's scientific management theory, is characterised by control of decision making and domination (Bass & Bass 2008), and is most often found in organisations with a rigidly defined hierarchy (Van Vugt et al. 2004). Although Taylor believed that control and enforcement are required to ensure the most effective, and efficient, completion of tasks, this management style has been criticised as causing resentment, low morale, and lack of innovation in employees (Houghton 2010).
Link to next paragraph  Another issue affecting HealthCo's competitive advantage is poor communication between management and staff. De Hoog et al. (2015) describe how impersonal ... 

 

Additional Resources

Access Student Services

Your input matters: Shape the future of academic skills support!

Subjects: Academic Skills
© University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia | ABN 28 441 859 157 | CRICOS Provider No. 01595D