How to Write Assignments

For some of our subjects, you are required to submit assignments in essay form so that ILSPA can assess your understanding of the law. The purpose of these assignments is to test not only your knowledge of the subject you have studied, but also your ability to explain that knowledge clearly and apply it to the question being asked.

Please note that Corporate and Commercial Law is the only unit that does not require an essay-style answer. In that unit, the assignment consists of a list of questions which require concise and direct answers.

What is an Essay?

An essay is a piece of formal writing that discusses a particular issue, situation or problem in a clear, logical and structured way. In the context of your course, an essay answer should show that you understand the relevant law and/or procedure, can apply it to the facts given, and can express your reasoning clearly.

Before you begin writing, it is helpful to ask yourself: What am I trying to achieve through this answer?

The answer is simple: you are demonstrating your understanding of the subject area and your ability to explain that understanding effectively.

What Your Assignment Should Show

When writing an assignment, you must:

show that you understand the law and/or procedure relevant to the question
apply that knowledge to the circumstances given
explain your reasoning clearly so that the Course Assessor can follow your thought process and be satisfied with your understanding

It is therefore very important to make sure that you fully understand the question before you start. Read it carefully and identify exactly what it is asking you to do. If you are unsure, please contact us for clarification through the Help and Support portal.

The Purpose of Assignments

ILSPA’s assignments are designed to test your knowledge and understanding, but they also form an important part of the learning process. They give you the opportunity to apply what you have studied to a realistic legal scenario and to develop your practical understanding of how the law operates in context.

Unlike a formal examination, you are allowed to refer to your course material and use the internet when preparing your answer. If using AI, please read ILSPA's policy on this. You are not expected to complete the assignment from memory, however, your answer must still be written in your own words and should reflect your own understanding.

How to Approach an Assignment Question

A good answer usually begins with careful preparation. Before writing your final response, it is useful to work through the question in draft form.

Step 1: Understand the question. Begin by identifying the area of law or procedure to which the question relates. Consider what the question is asking you to explain, discuss or advise on.

Step 2: Revisit the course material. Refer back to the relevant section of your study material and re-read it carefully. Continue until you are confident that you understand both the topic and how it relates to the question. You may also carry out further research online where appropriate.

Step 3: Make rough notes. Write down the key legal principles, procedures, rules or points that are relevant to the question. This helps you identify what material should be included and prevents important points from being missed.

Step 4: Organise your ideas. Use your notes to begin shaping a structured answer. Think about the order in which your points should appear so that your explanation flows clearly and logically.

Step 5: Consider all sides. If the question involves a problem or scenario with more than one possible argument, both sides should be considered. Do not discuss only the points that support your final conclusion. A balanced answer shows stronger understanding.

Step 6: Apply the law to the facts. Once you have identified the relevant legal principles or procedures, apply them to the facts given in the question. This is one of the most important parts of the assignment. It shows that you can move beyond theory and use your knowledge in practice.

Step 7: Reach a reasoned conclusion. Your conclusion should follow naturally from the points you have made. It should bring your answer together and show how your reasoning has led you to that outcome.

Why Drafting is Important

Making rough notes before writing your final answer is extremely useful because it allows you to think through the question properly. Writing ideas down often helps to clarify your thoughts and reveal connections between different points.

Some Students also find mind maps helpful. A mind map can be an effective way of setting out your ideas on one page and seeing how different points link together before you begin writing in full.

Creating a structured draft will make it easier to produce a thorough and well-organised final answer.

Example of a structured draft:

Area of law
Contract Law – Offer and Acceptance

Outline

What is a contract?
Essential requirements of a valid contract
Offer and acceptance
What is an offer?
Communication of offer
A contract can only arise when an offer has been accepted
Distinction between an offer and an invitation to treat
What is an invitation to treat?

Examples of cases

Auctions: Payne v Cave (1789)
Advertisements: Partridge v Crittenden (1968)
Goods for sale in shops: Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Boots Cash Chemists (1953) and Fisher v Bell (1953)

Once your notes are clear and your draft answer is taking shape, you can begin writing your final response.

How to Write your Final Answer

Your final answer should be clear, structured and relevant to the question.

Introduction: Begin with a short introduction setting out the relevant law and/or procedure. This provides the foundation for the rest of your answer.

Main body: The main body should explain the legal principles or procedures in more detail and show how they apply to the facts or scenario given in the question. Each paragraph should develop a clear point and contribute to your overall answer. Where relevant, you should refer to legal authorities such as cases and statutes. This strengthens your answer and shows your Course Assessor that your reasoning is supported.

Conclusion: Finish with a conclusion that draws the earlier parts of your answer together and provides a clear response to the question.

Further Guidance

Keep your answer focused on the question. It is important to explain your points clearly, but avoid going off on a tangent or including material that is not relevant.

Your answer should generally be written in paragraphs. In some cases, it may be appropriate to include a number of related points within a paragraph, such as (a), (b) and (c), where this helps clarity.

Try to achieve a balance between explaining legal principles and referring to case law that illustrates those principles. There is usually no need to provide lengthy descriptions of cases. In most instances, it is enough to refer to the case in context, unless a brief explanation is necessary to show its relevance.

You may use Latin phrases where appropriate. Many legal terms are best expressed in Latin because they carry a recognised legal meaning. However, if you do use a Latin phrase, you should also include a brief English translation in brackets to show that you understand it.

Avoid writing in a personal style using words such as I, we, you or us. For example, if the question says Advise Fred, do not write I would advise you that you will not succeed because… Instead, write Fred is unlikely to succeed because…

Although you may refer to your course material when preparing your answer, you must not copy directly from it. Your assignment must be written in your own words and should demonstrate your own understanding.

Finally, always read through your completed answer carefully before submitting it. Check that it is clear, accurate and fully answers the question. It is often helpful to leave your work for a short time and return to it later with fresh eyes so that you can refine and improve it.