Academic Writing for CIPD Assignments: Master the Essentials

A CIPD qualification is a game-changer. Whether you're studying for CIPD Level 3, CIPD Level 5, CIPD Level 7, or even taking on the challenge of the CIPD Experience Assessment, there's one thing that catches most people off guard: the importance of good writing skills to pass CIPD assessments.

For many, especially those who haven't been to university or had much practice with academic writing, this can feel like a herculean task. But don't worry—this guide will help you understand the essentials of academic writing so you can ace your CIPD assignments.

CIPD Essay Writing 101: Understanding the Basics

Understanding how to write an academic essay is central to passing your CIPD assignments, which evaluate your critical thinking and understanding of key HR principles. To succeed, you'll need to showcase your understanding of HR best practices, apply strong analytical skills, and present a convincing argument. It's not about confusing jargon, but clarity, structure, and evidence.

Think of academic writing like building a house—you need a strong foundation, solid structure, and attention to detail.

1. A Strong Foundation

Your CIPD assignment should follow a clear plan or blueprint, outlining the steps needed to achieve your desired outcome: an academic essay.

While this form of writing tends to be more fluid than, say, a well-ordered business report, it should still be divided into relevant sections that explore your overall topic, guiding the reader through your argument. Ask yourself relevant questions, like:

• What am I being asked to do?
• Am I meant to describe one concept or evaluate several ideas?
• What overall point am I trying to make?
• What supporting evidence will I need?

Before you begin writing, review your CIPD assignment brief thoroughly and make a list of the topics that need to be addressed in your essay, keeping in mind your required word count (typically 3,000+ words). You'll also need to cite any sources you plan to use to support your ideas and include them in a Harvard-style reference list or bibliography.

Planning out your essay in this way will provide you with the foundation you need to move on to the next step.

2. A Solid Structure

Planning your CIPD essay is only half the battle, so having a clear structure to your essay will help you build on the foundation you've already created and produce a great piece of writing.

This is also where you'll leverage everything you've encountered through studying, including your unit notes and research materials—all of which are excellent resources to draw from when crafting your CIPD assignments.

Your essay structure should include:

An introduction: that outlines your overarching topic or explains how you plan to approach the question. You should also state what type of research you're using (i.e., primary, secondary, or both) and mention key sources you've relied on.

The main body: to present your findings, personal views, and the perspectives found in your research. It's a good idea to break this section into relevant subsections and use subheadings to guide your CIPD assessor through each of your ideas.

A comprehensive conclusion: to summarise your key findings, driving your main idea or argument home.

Bonus tip: Don't forget to look at the unit criteria when structuring your CIPD essays either, as these often provide additional insights into the level of detail required.

3. Attention to Detail

After planning your essay and creating a clear structure, it's time to focus on the finishing touches! Paying attention to detail is key to ensure your CIPD assignment is polished, professional, and meets high standards. Some critical areas to focus on include:

Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation: Spelling and grammar errors can distract from your ideas and may even impact your grade. Tools like Grammarly can help, but don't rely on them entirely; manual review is always a good idea.

Abbreviations and Terminology: Always define abbreviations the first time you use them and ensure they are used consistently throughout your work. This is particularly important when using CIPD-specific terms.

Formatting and Style: Refer to the CIPD style guide for tone and presentation. It also helps with learning how to format citations.

Flow and Coherence: Check whether your arguments flow logically from one paragraph to the next and whether each point is well-supported and aligned with the assessment brief.

Proofreading: Start by reading your draft out loud to catch any odd phrasing or unclear points. You want your essay to be clear and concise. It's also a good idea to have a friend or colleague review your work for a fresh perspective.

By refining these details, you'll not only produce a professional and polished essay but also demonstrate your dedication to high standards—something that will serve you well throughout your CIPD journey!

Mastering the PEEL Paragraph Technique in Your CIPD Assignments

CIPD assessments change every year, so it's best to be prepared for anything. Is your written assessment asking you to make an argument, describe your own experience, or even analyse a case study and express an opinion? In any case, you can use the tried and tested PEEL method to structure your text in each paragraph.

What is PEEL writing?

PEEL, which stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link, is a simple yet powerful writing method that many CIPD students find incredibly helpful for structuring their essays.

It's designed to help you create clear, persuasive paragraphs that present your ideas in an organised way. By using the PEEL approach, your writing will not only be more concise and focused but also boost your chances of earning higher grades. Here's how it works:

Point: Start each paragraph by introducing a clear, focused point. This should be the main idea or argument of your paragraph, and it should set the tone for the remaining text.

Evidence: Back up your main point with data, research, or practical HR theory. Relevant statistics or CIPD resources work well here to support your paragraph.

Explanation: Don't leave it to the reader to connect the dots—make your argument clear. Explain how and why your evidence supports your point through critical analysis, incorporating your own perspective alongside your research to strengthen its validity.

Link: Tie your point back to the main essay question, or link to your next argument.

Note: You can use the evidence and explanation elements flexibly, depending on how structuring these sections makes the most sense to you.

An Example of PEEL Writing

Point:

Neurodivergent employees often face significant challenges in the workplace, which highlights the urgent need for organisations to adopt a more inclusive approach to neurodiversity.

Evidence:

According to CIPD's Neuroinclusion at Work Report (2024), 20% of surveyed individuals reported experiencing mental health-related discrimination or harassment at work.

Explanation:

This finding shows that many workplaces lack the understanding and awareness needed to support neurodivergent employees effectively. Without appropriate policies and practices in place, organisations risk creating environments where talented individuals feel excluded or undervalued. On the other hand, businesses that embrace inclusivity often experience tangible benefits, such as greater innovation, improved employee morale, and stronger retention rates.

Link:

To address these challenges and tackle the UK's growing talent shortage, HR professionals should take proactive steps to educate themselves about neurodiversity. Start by exploring resources like CIPD's training sessions, consulting neurodiversity specialists, or implementing practical changes such as quiet workspaces and flexible working arrangements. These steps can help create an environment where all employees feel supported, enabling organisations to unlock the full potential of their workforce.

Remember, your writing should be easy to follow, both for your reader and for yourself. So, with each paragraph, simply ask, "Does it PEEL?"

How Do I Find Reliable Resources for My CIPD Assignment?

To succeed in your CIPD assessment, you will need strong and evidence-based writing. This means you should rely on information and data from credible sources to back your ideas. Never trust random publications that lack credibility, and always double-check that the evidence provided is also from a reputable source.

Professional organisations, like CIPD, academic journals, and government publications should be your go-to. Some standout CIPD resources include:

• CIPD research reports
• CIPD guides
• CIPD factsheets
• CIPD podcasts
• The People Management website
• Academic databases, including Google Scholar

Another great way to add depth to your essays is by referencing relevant case studies. They illustrate how research and surveys apply to real-world scenarios and make your arguments more compelling and significant.

For example, if you're discussing talent retention, you might reference a company that successfully reduced turnover through innovative HR practices. Using case studies shows that you understand both theory and practice—a key requirement in CIPD assessments.

Practice Academic Writing to Ace Your CIPD Assignments

Academic writing is a vital tool for CIPD assessments and earning your CIPD qualification. By preparing properly, structuring your writing with the PEEL method, and using trustworthy sources, you'll not only succeed but also build skills that will serve you throughout your career.

Remember, writing is a skill that improves with practice. Each assignment is an opportunity to grow and refine your abilities. So, take your time, trust the process, and approach each essay with confidence. Your CIPD qualification is within reach!