Elements of Case Writing and Teaching Prepared for the University of Arizona Friday Seminar February 14-16, 2008 Katherine K. Merseth Harvard University

Considerations in Case Writing The development of the personality of a key person The development of the personality of a key person Success in capturing the vitality and character of the setting Success in capturing the vitality and character of the setting The creation of a background or setting for the case The creation of a background or setting for the case The use of dialogue as a way of revealing personality, issues, and affect The use of dialogue as a way of revealing personality, issues, and affect

Considerations in Case Writing The organization of the case around multiple issues The organization of the case around multiple issues Insight the case offers into the central issue(s) Insight the case offers into the central issue(s) Consideration of how you will treat yourself if you are an “actor” in the case Consideration of how you will treat yourself if you are an “actor” in the case A sharp dilemma or decision or choice point with which a central character (and the reader) is left A sharp dilemma or decision or choice point with which a central character (and the reader) is left

Considerations in Case Writing Two or three guide questions for the reader to consider, which enable the reader to “enter” the case Two or three guide questions for the reader to consider, which enable the reader to “enter” the case Engaging writing style Engaging writing style Completion of a permission form so that the level of confidentiality you wish can be protected. Completion of a permission form so that the level of confidentiality you wish can be protected.

Selection of a Topic What is your objective? (Why are you going to teach this case?) What is your objective? (Why are you going to teach this case?) What is the basis of the case? What is the basis of the case?

Evaluating the Idea Why are you using a case? Why are you using a case? Do you have willing participants? Do you have willing participants? Is the issue sensitive? Is the issue sensitive? Can anyone be harmed by the case? Can anyone be harmed by the case?

Gathering the Data Are you getting complete information? Are you keeping an open mind? Are you attending to the chronology? Do you have a bias about the story?

Planning the Case What to include? People? Background? What to include? People? Background? Does it hold together as a story? Does it hold together as a story? Who is your audience? Who is your audience?

Writing the Case Introduction -- Action orientation -- Creation of a setting Introduction -- Action orientation -- Creation of a setting Exposition -- Background unfolds Exposition -- Background unfolds Development -- Further detail about issues Development -- Further detail about issues Summary Recapitulation -- Put back into decision/action mode Summary Recapitulation -- Put back into decision/action mode

Case Writing Conventions and Suggestions Temporal considerations -- Usually written in past tense -- Try not to date case Temporal considerations -- Usually written in past tense -- Try not to date case Release Procedures -- Define range of use -- Thin or thick descriptions -- Signed releases and draft approval Release Procedures -- Define range of use -- Thin or thick descriptions -- Signed releases and draft approval

Teaching the Case What do you want the participants to leave thinking, knowing or being able to do? What do you want the participants to leave thinking, knowing or being able to do? Why are you using a case to convey these ideas? Why are you using a case to convey these ideas?

Considerations Big group vs. small groups Big group vs. small groups Air time vs. think time Air time vs. think time Barn raising vs. boutique Barn raising vs. boutique Facilitated vs. led Facilitated vs. led

More considerations for Facilitator Physical layout of room Physical layout of room Seated or standing Seated or standing Opening- Opening- –Cold, cool, warm Questioning style Questioning style Recording system Recording system Summary Summary