the essay should have a clear structure and is best written after the essay has been completed. Subtitles help to structure the essay, not only for the reader but for the writer as well. Different modules may have slightly different guidance but you will certainly not be criticised here for using a few headings, the view taken here is that, used properly in moderation, they can help. The idea of the essay is to discuss within a given word limit the major or selected aspects of a topic in as comprehensive a manner as possible. Independent and critical thinking is highly advisable and part of the criteria by which we mark, but a healthy degree of realism about what can be expected in a 3000 word assignment by an undergraduate student also goes along with this so try not to get get overanxious about this. Citation: the essay is an academic piece of writing. A list of cases cited in the essay, if relevant. The standard way of citation used in academic texts should be followed. Each argument or information has to be footnoted and the source of information has to be revealed. I suggest that in the footnote only an abbreviated reference is be made to the author(s) name(s) (for example Craig and de Burca 2003, p. 123). The bibliography should contain the full citation: P. Craig, G. de Burca, EU Law. Third edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press 2003. Indicate the chapter of the book that is relevant for the essay. Further guidance on correct citation is available in the undergraduate handbook. NOTE please that we expect you to use ‘proper’ academic sources this does not include for example, wikipedia. Other more ‘popular’ media sources websistes, magazines, newspapers etc may have their place, (some essays may lend themselves to the use of such materials more than others), but you should NEVER confine yourself only to such materials without using more traditional academic resources as well. Book chapters should be cited in the following way: P. Roseren, “Review by French Courts of the Conformity of National Provisions with Community Law”, in: D. Curtin and D. O’Keeffe (eds.) Constitutional Adjudication in European Community and National Law. Dublin: Butterworths 1992, pp. 257269. Journal articles should be cited in the following way: A. Easson, “Fiscal Discrimination: New Perspectives on Article 95 of the EEC Treaty” Common Market Law Review, Vol. 18, 1981, pp. 521551. It is important that you always cite the first and the last page of an article. Cases and internet sources should be listed separately. All other academic material should be entered into a single bibliography which is ordered alphabetically according to the authors last names.