Free • Independent study tools
Tools that help you plan, write and check your CIPD assignment.
Use these resources alongside your current assessment brief and your own research. They are designed to improve assessment technique, not replace independent work.
Command words: what your answer must do
Use the verb in the question to decide the depth and shape of your response. The official CIPD specification also uses command-word taxonomy to indicate expected response style and depth. citeturn0search32
| Command word | Practical meaning | What to demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Name or recognise relevant items. | Accuracy and relevance; do not over-write. |
| Describe | Give an account of features, steps or characteristics. | Clear detail organised around the task. |
| Explain | Show how or why something happens. | Cause, effect, relationships and context. |
| Analyse | Break an issue into parts and examine relationships. | Evidence, connections, implications and case application. |
| Assess | Consider significance or effectiveness and reach a supported view. | Balance, evidence and a defensible judgement. |
| Evaluate | Weigh alternatives/arguments and reach a reasoned conclusion. | Strengths, limitations, criteria for comparison and judgement. |
| Discuss | Explore relevant perspectives or approaches. | Balanced exploration followed by a clear conclusion where appropriate. |
| Review | Examine current practice or evidence and identify implications. | Coverage, evidence, strengths/weaknesses and improvement implications. |
Assignment planner
Copy this table into Word, Excel or your notes and complete it from your own assessment brief.
| Question | AC | Command word | Key case/workplace facts | Sources to research | Target words | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q2 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q3 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q4 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q5 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q6 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
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| Q10 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q11 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
| Q12 | AC __ | __ | __ | __ | __ | ☐ |
Final submission checklist
Run this check against the exact brief supplied by your centre.
- Every question is answered and mapped to the correct AC.
- The response directly follows the command word.
- Relevant organisational/case-study evidence is integrated, not merely namechecked.
- Key claims are supported with credible sources where required.
- Analysis/evaluation is developed rather than relying on definitions.
- Judgements and recommendations are supported by evidence.
- Every in-text citation has a matching reference-list entry and vice versa.
- Harvard style is applied consistently according to your provider's requirements.
- Total word count and any per-task limits are checked against the current brief.
- Formatting, headings, appendices and file naming meet your centre's instructions.
- Your declaration and use of AI/tools comply with the current assessment rules.
- You have written and reviewed your own final submission.
Tip: A worked example is most useful when you compare its reasoning with your own plan, then research and write independently. Do not treat a preview or worked example as an official CIPD answer.
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