Points, for example, to small dissertations (6)
I believe the answer is:
essays
'dissertations' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'points for example to small' is the wordplay.
'points' becomes 'Es' (two compass points).
'for example' becomes 'say' ('say' can be used to introduce an example).
'to small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'es'+'say'+'s'='ESSAYS'
(Other definitions for essays that I've seen before include "Charles Lamb's particular form of writing" , "Short pieces of writing on a particular subject" , "texts" , "Tries for theses?" , "Makes experimental attempts" .)