1. IS 788– Case Analyses Common Errors and Correction Strategies 1.Not reading the material fully or not reading and directly addressing all assigned material –How does he know? (Very obvious and significant points are never discussed, while the paper rambles on, obviously groping to fill space.) –Correction – read the material ;-)

2. IS 788– Case Analyses Common Errors and Correction Strategies 2.Lack of structure leading to a rambling, difficult to read paper –Corrections: –Read and highlight major points in the case, then outline the paper before reading. The outline lines can become section headings –Adhere to some elements of a standard structure, example: Introduction, Point 1 paragraph, Point 2..., Summary

3. IS 788– Case Analyses Common Errors and Correction Strategies 3.Lack of analytic cogency: a paper full of tangential issues and fuzzy arguments –Correction: –Read material fully and outline it –Think through the overall position you want to convey –Support as many positions as possible with external (to the case) citations –For every paragraph, on rereading ask yourself Is the argument concise and believable? How does this contribute to to the overall position I’m trying to set forth? If it doesn’t make a contribution, eliminate it.

4. IS 788– Case Analyses Common Errors and Correction Strategies 4.Style issues –Rampant colloquialisms –Homonym madness (e.g. blew for blue. Spell checking alone is dangerous) –Un-businesslike tone –Correction: –Remember, a MS-level case analysis is a formal information presentation, not a chatty review for a neighborhood newsletter. Business documents have a more formal tone than either conversation or e-mail.

5. IS 788– Case Analyses Common Errors and Correction Strategies 4.Style issue corrections continued –Imagine you are job hunting and this paper will be attached to your resume as a sample of your writing (and that you want the job and communicating in writing is an important part of it). –Proof read the paper. It is obvious when the paper has been written as the last thing you did at work before heading to class. (I know its tough. I was working full time as a Director of IS when I got my MSIS. But, if I can do it, you can do it)