5 tips to write an effective CIPD assignment

Time to write your assignment? Drawing a blank on where to start?

Writing an academic paper is not as daunting a task as it may seem if you have the right guidance. Given that the assignments are a major part of your HR or L&D certification in CIPD, here are five tips that will help you score a pass with ease:

When in doubt, plan it out

For starters, be prepared! Double or triple-check the due date, the assessment criteria and the assignment document. Skim through your texts, expected readings and make notes as you go through them, so you can map out your initial impression of what is expected. Remember to plan your timelines so you have enough time to outline, research, draft and submit your assignment.

Don’t limit yourself

You’ve turned off all the distractions and sat down with a nice and warm cup of tea to finally start your assignment but you realise that you cannot think of any ideas. Say hello to the writer’s block!

Don’t be a perfectionist, just write down any and all ideas that come to your mind. Once you do this, your brain will subconsciously start connecting the dots. The more you write, the clearer your goal will get. The same idea applies to procrastination, it is natural that your brain will try to divert your attention away from something that you feel is difficult or unpleasant. Once you start, it’s much easier to get into a flow.

Bring out the academic in you

Academic papers have a different writing style than other publications. They are more formal and require critical thinking to build upon existing ideas. When looking at sources, it is best to stick to peer-reviewed journals and other academic work. Blogs and other unreferenced sources are usually not acceptable. This means that you may have to go through multiple journal articles to find just one missing piece for your masterpiece. Patience is key here, try to enjoy the learning process and absorb the material you’re reading, even if you’re not using it for your assignment.

Cite as you write

Referencing and citing are an important part of writing a great assignment. Academic journals and articles give validity to your work and also are a source of new information to include in your assignment. It is always a good practice to in-text cite your source and have a reference list, even when you’re working through your rough notes. CIPD uses the Harvard system of referencing so getting familiar with it early on will only reduce your work in the later stages of your assignment.

The final countdown

As the deadline inches closer, make sure you’re sticking to your word count. When you’re satisfied with your work, go through it again after a good night’s sleep so that you have a fresh perspective on your paper. Do a spell check, review if your sources are cited properly and if the layout of your paper is fine. For a final check, ask a trusted friend or mentor to go over your work to assess the readability of your paper.

Would you like more guidance on the assignments or more information on about our CIPD classes? Contact us at mer_academyuae ~3#$A~ pwc &D06s& com or call +971 4 515 7200