Elements of Case Writing and
Teaching
Prepared for the
University of Arizona
Friday Seminar
February 14-16, 2008
Katherine K. Merseth
Harvard University
Kay_Merseth@Harvard.edu
Considerations in Case Writing
The development of the personality of a
key person
 Success in capturing the vitality and
character of the setting
 The creation of a background or setting
for the case
 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
 Insight the case offers into the central
issue(s)
 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

Selection of a Topic

What is your objective? (Why are you
going to teach this case?)

What is the basis of the case?
Evaluating the Idea

Why are you using a case?

Do you have willing participants?

Is the issue sensitive?

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?

Does it hold together as a story?

Who is your audience?
Writing the Case
Introduction
-- Action orientation
-- Creation of a setting
 Exposition
-- Background unfolds
 Development
-- Further detail about issues
 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

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?
 Why are you using a case to convey these
ideas?

Considerations
Big group vs. small groups
 Air time vs. think time
 Barn raising vs. boutique
 Facilitated vs. led

More considerations for Facilitator
Physical layout of room
 Seated or standing
 Opening
– Cold, cool, warm
Questioning style
 Recording system
 Summary
