· 6 min read
Most students who want a better assignment grade don't need to work longer. They need to work on the things markers actually reward. These ten changes make the biggest difference across most subjects.
1. Answer the exact question
Underline the task verb (discuss, evaluate, compare, analyse) and the topic. Every paragraph should help answer that question. Interesting but irrelevant material earns nothing.
2. Mark your own work against the rubric
Your marking rubric or assessment criteria tell you where the marks are. Before you submit, go through it line by line and find where your assignment meets each criterion. If you can't point to it, add it.
3. State your argument early
A clear position in the introduction, repeated in the conclusion, makes your work easier to follow and shows critical thinking. See our guide on how to write an assignment introduction.
4. Analyse, don't just describe
"Too descriptive" is one of the most common pieces of feedback, especially for international students. After each piece of evidence, explain what it means, why it matters and how it supports your argument.
5. Use better sources
Peer-reviewed journals, academic books and official data carry more weight than websites and blogs. Recent sources show your work is current.
6. Get referencing right
Inconsistent or missing citations cost easy marks and can raise academic-integrity questions. Use one style, the one your course requires, everywhere. Our referencing styles guide explains APA, Harvard, MLA and IEEE.
7. Structure every paragraph
Use a simple pattern: point, evidence, explanation, link back to the question. It keeps paragraphs focused and makes your argument easy to mark.
8. Respect the word count
Going well over or under the limit can cost marks. Cut repetition and long quotations first.
9. Proofread after a break
Read your work out loud the next day. You'll catch errors, unclear sentences and missing words you couldn't see while writing. Then run through our pre-submission checklist.
10. Use your feedback
Keep a list of comments from previous assignments and check your new work against it. Repeating the same mistake is the easiest way to stay at the same grade.
Want a second opinion?
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