Animal Law Research Essay

Task: The students will undertake a research essay that pursues in-depth, an aspect of the subject through sustained research, reflection and

writing 2,750 words.

Question  (Australia and US-focused)
What is the attitude of the law in Australia to claims in tort for emotional distress and loss of companionship with respect to companion

animals? How does this compare with the approach taken by the courts in the USA? Has the USA jurisdiction developed a pattern or consistent

doctrine in this area of the law?

Some personal guidelines for the preparation of research essays:

The purpose of a research essay: A research essay gives you the opportunity to show your research skills on your selected topic. You should

display your ability to find, read, consider and analyse the researched materials, and express your reasoned views. A research essay is more

than a mere narrative of the materials. Marks are awarded on the process of legal reasoning rather than the conclusion reached, although

obvious errors in reasoning to that conclusion will lose marks. In other words, your arguments/views/analysis are important provided they are

properly argued and supported. Fundamental to success is a properly organised and structured essay. A cogent structure can take several

forms, but a suggested structure is set out below.

Organisation and Structure – A research essay has five broad parts:

1. Introduction: An introduction should be a succinct summary of the essay. Introductions should be 300-600 words in length. The marker

should, after reading the introduction, have a clear understanding of the topic and a broad overview of the problems/issues and the student’s

methodology used to address those problems/ issues.

2. Background: Depending on the topic, setting out relevant background may be necessary, for example, defining key terms or concepts,

identifying and briefly discussing relevant law or industry practice or government policy, identifying and summarizing published materials in

the area, etc.
Discuss what is significant, necessary and relevant to your analysis. Avoid irrelevancies.

3. Identify the problems/issues: Clearly set out and discuss the problems and issues identified. The use of subheadings for each distinct

problem is useful.

4. Resolving the problems/issues; methodology: Having identified the problems/issues you should identify the methodology used to

analyse/discuss/consider/resolve the problems/issues. In Parts 3 and 4 (the key components of any essay) an examiner will look for various

features including: your arguments; identifying and critically discussing other published works in the area; identifying the significant and

important problems/issues; consistency and logical development of argument; consideration of the concepts applicable to solving the problem;

original research/ideas; how you use existing knowledge and relate that to new knowledge; the application of theoretical ideas to industry

practice; critical evaluation of existing case law (where relevant); etc.