International Transport and Logistics
Case Study Essays Guidelines
These general guidelines must be observed when writing case study essays:
1. Essays must be structured observing APA (6th edition) style.
a. Every essay must have a standard cover page as per template appended to the
syllabus.
b. The essay must have an introductory paragraph that provides the reader with a
short summary of the content of the essay and states a thesis.
c. The second part of the essay must contain a summary of the case study. A reference
to the source, observing APA (6th edition) style citation, must be included.
d. The third part of the essay must state and address every one of the questions listed
with the Case Study. The narrative must be objective and supported by evidence,
references, or experience, as appropriate.
e. The fourth part of every essay must have the writers’ conclusion. This section
should recap the content of the essay and circle back to the thesis presented in the
introduction. The conclusion section should not add new content to the essay.
f. The final section must contain list the references cited in the essay. These are to
follow APA (6th edition) guidelines.
2. Exhibits, such as diagrams, tables, and charts, can be appended to the essay. They must
be numbered and titled. The text of the essay must have references to each exhibit with
clear explanations, meaning, and purpose.
3. Language used in essays must be impersonal and follow academic and business style.
Avoid:
a. Personal references of any sort (I, me, mine, my, we, ours, you, yours, etc.)
b. Clichés, vague, and colloquial expressions, as well as unsupported generalizations.
c. Syntax, grammar, and spelling errors.
4. Statements and opinions must be supported with evidence, references, or experience.
5. Case study essays will be graded according to rubric below.
Criteria
Excellent
100 points
Very Good
80 points
Good
60 points
Fair
40 points
Unsatisfactory
0 points
Identification of
Main Issues and
Problems
presented in the
Case Study
Demonstrates
understanding of
all the main issues
and problems.
Demonstrates
understanding of
most issues and
problems.
Demonstrates
understanding of
some issues and/or
problems.
Demonstrates
understanding of
one issue or
problem.
Does not
demonstrate
understanding of
issues or
problems.
Analysis of the
Issues and
Problems
presented in the
Case Study
Presents an
insightful and
thorough analysis
of the issues.
Presents a
thorough analysis
of most of the
issues.
Presents a
superficial analysis
of some of the
issues.
Presents an
incomplete
analysis of the
issues and
problems.
Does not present
an analysis of the
issues and
problems.
Comments on
Effective Solutions
and Strategies
Includes welldocumented,
reasoned and
appropriate
comments on
solutions, or
proposals for
solutions, to all
issues raised in the
Case Study.
Includes
appropriate, wellthought
comments
about solutions, or
proposals for
solutions, to most
of the issues raised
in the Case Study.
Includes
appropriate, wellthought
comments
about solutions, or
proposals for
solutions, to some
of the issues raised
in the Case Study.
Does not include
appropriate
discussions or
proposal for
solutions to the
issues raised in the
Case Study.
Does not address
the issues raised
in the Case Study.
Adequate Business
Language
Excellent
articulation with
well-constructed
and fluid sentences
in clean business
language.
Good articulation
with wellconstructed
and
fluid sentences in
clean business
language.
Clean business
language.
Moderate use of
colloquial
expressions and
vague terms
Excessive use of
colloquial
expressions and
vague terms.
Adequate Essay
Structure, Format,
and Style
Essay is structured
as defined in the
published General
Guidelines and
adheres to APA
style rules.
Essay is partially
structured as
defined in the
published General
Guidelines and
partially adheres
to APA style rules.
Essay is not well
structured and
partially adheres to
APA style rules.
Essay does not
have an acceptable
structure or does
not follow APA
style rules.
Essay’s structure
is not satisfactory.
