Finally, we will take a look at the range of written assignments and the different styles that this assessment method can take and what might be expected of you when completing them.

CASE STUDY

These assignment types usually involve real-world scenarios that you would need to read about, study or watch and then solve a problem or show your knowledge of. For example, you might be asked to watch a video and describe it and the methods used to produce it or to assess a recent media article and describe the theories presented in the article. They may also relate to problems identified on websites or social media where you have to apply your knowledge of the topic to solve the problem. You can demonstrate your research skills and how you apply practical solutions to real-world problems.

REPORT (LABORATORY, BOOK REPORT, BUSINESS REPORT)

A report can be on any topic and might ask you to report or explain another type of assessment you have already completed or are completing at the same time. It is a way to show your thinking of how you approached the other tasks and what methods you used. The report might also be a report on something someone else has done or discussing a major event that has happened. It shows your ability to interpret the scenario, analyse it and discuss it. A report also shows how you can clearly present information that others can easily understand. Usually, you would have completed a lot of research on the topic and shown where you got your sources from.

ESSAY

An essay is usually contained within a structure that your teacher or tutor will have given you, with a key action word provided, a word limit and a specific question to respond to. This demonstrates your research skills and knowledge of your topic, your ability to follow very specific directions, clearly present your work in a structured and logical written format and show you can get information from different sources (and cite them!).

SHORT ANSWERS

This style really tests your knowledge in answering discipline-specific questions and how you might have researched the questions. Short answers might be timed and set like an online test or are a series of short assignments throughout your module. This method also allows you to demonstrate clear and concise writing skills and how to present summarised information.

BLOG POST

Writing a blog post can let you demonstrate your knowledge of a topic as well as your creative side in how to present the work. You can include images, videos and links to other relevant information from the research you complete. Blogs allow you to speak about your experiences and are usually written on specific topics.

Journal or self-reflective piece

This sort of work is usually written but might include other things, such as recordings or drawings etc. The assignment would ask you to complete a journal over a specific time period to demonstrate your learning and development over that time, or it might be a piece of reflection to complete at the end of a course or as the end point of another assignment task. These assessments allow you to demonstrate your communication skills and ability to reflect and be emotionally connected to your learnings and your studies.

BUSINESS PLAN

This type of assignment might be a formal statement of intent as a hypothetical business plan or in response to a real-world scenario when working with a company for your studies. You would need to demonstrate background knowledge of the company and the methods you are proposing to meet the goals of the plan. You would demonstrate the steps involved in planning and show your project management and business development skills, as well as how you can present your ideas.