You’ve done the research, you know what you want to say, and you’re ready to make a start on your assignment.
Or are you?
How exactly will you start? And how can you ensure that your assignment is clearly set out and ‘assessor-friendly’ – in other words, easy for the assessor to read, navigate and check that you are providing all the information required to pass? The solution can be summed up in one word: structure.
“You need to impose a structure on your assignment writing, particularly when answering ‘assess’, ‘evaluate’ and ‘review’ questions,” says Nevra Sezgin, Impellus Assessment Team Manager.
Here’s how:
- Start with a brief introduction
Always begin your answer to each question with a brief introduction that outlines the material you will be covering.
“This is a ‘win-win’,” says Nevra, “as it will provide both you and the assessor with a clear ‘roadmap’ of your content and the key topics you plan to explore.”
- Use clear headings and subheadings
Break up your text into clear, easy-to-read sections by using plenty of headings and subheadings. This is another win-win approach to assignment writing as it will help you stay focused on each point you want to make and will also ensure the assessor can easily navigate through your text and identify the key elements you must include to pass the question.
- Start a new section for each topic you need to cover
Create a clear heading for the section and then briefly explain the topic you are about to discuss. Depending on what the question is asking you to do, you can then provide your evidence, analysis, comparisons, examples, and/or personal experiences.
“Don’t forget to use subheads in each section to ensure clarity, both for you as you are writing, and for the assessor to see that you’ve met the requirements of the assignment,” says Nevra.
- End with a strong conclusion
Always end your answer to each question with a strong and clearly worded conclusion. This is particularly important when answering ‘assess’, ‘evaluate’ and ‘review’ questions.
“Your conclusion should summarise your main findings and arguments, suggest improvements or action plans where relevant,” says Nevra, “and show that you have a good understanding of the material you have covered in your assignment.”
A simple ‘Conclusion’ heading will make it clear to the assessor where your final summary begins.
- Stick to the word count
It’s important to stick to the recommended word counts for each assignment. These can be found in the ‘how to pass notes’ in the Impellus Business Centre.
“You may go over the recommended word count by up to a maximum of 20%,” says Nevra. “If you exceed this maximum, you will be requested to shorten your assignment to meet these requirements.”
“And if your word count is significantly below the recommended amount, it is unlikely that you have included enough detailed information to pass.”
The word count guidelines aim to ensure focus and clarity in your writing and help you judge how much detail you need to include.
Why structure matters
A clear structure will:
- Provide a logical outline to follow as you write your assignment. You’ll find that making a start becomes less overwhelming as you tackle it ‘bit by bit’ and gain confidence in your ability to cover all the key points needed to fully answer the question.
- Make your work easier to read and assess. When your points and conclusion are clearly laid out with headings and subheadings, it’s much more straightforward for the assessor to ensure you’ve included all the information required to pass.
And finally…
The ILM-accredited Assessment Team here at Impellus will support you every step of the way as you work towards achieving your ILM Award. Find out more about the resources and help available to you. Always make sure you leave enough time to get feedback on your assignments from the Impellus Assessment Team before submitting for marking.
You may find useful:
AI and online writing tools: dos and don’ts when writing your ILM assignments
Writing ILM assignments? Don’t be vexed by verbs.
Writing that works: our guide for assignment success.
Our ILM workshops bring your organisation’s ILM Award candidates together to accelerate learning, share ideas and experiences, and help you successfully qualify as professional managers. Find out more.
