How to Read an Assignment Brief — A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Aussie Students

When a lecturer hands out an assignment, the first thing you’ll usually see is the assignment brief. It’s meant to guide you, but let’s be honest — at first glance, it often looks like a wall of text designed to confuse you. Some students skim it, shrug, and jump into writing. Later, they realise they’ve answered the wrong question or used the wrong format.

That’s the thing: the brief isn’t just paperwork. It’s literally the instruction manual for your grade. If you slow down and learn how to read it properly, half the stress of “what am I supposed to do?” disappears.

So, What Exactly Is an Assignment Brief?

Think of it like a recipe card. A recipe doesn’t just say “make pasta.” It says “boil 200g penne, add sauce, cook for 10 minutes.” The assignment brief works the same way. It tells you:

• the type of work (essay, report, reflection, presentation, whatever it is)

• the length (word count, sometimes page numbers)

• the topic or the exact question you must answer

• how it should be formatted

• What marking criteria will your lecturer use

If you don’t follow the recipe, the dish doesn’t come out right. Same with assignments.

Why Do Students Struggle With It?

Because most of us skim. You’re busy, you’ve got three other tasks due, and the brief looks boring — so you read the first line and assume you know what’s going on. Later, you discover you missed a small instruction like “include at least five peer-reviewed sources” or “use Harvard referencing.”

I’ve seen friends lose marks just because they overlooked the referencing style. The content was good, but the details tripped them up.

Step 1: Actually Read the Task Question

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many students skip this. Let’s take an example:

"Discuss the impact of climate change policies on Australian agriculture. Use relevant case studies.”

Looks straightforward, right? But if you break it down:

• “Discuss” doesn’t mean write a one-sided rant. It means exploring different angles.

• “Impact” means focus on effects, not history or causes.

• “Australian agriculture” narrows your scope. Not global farming, just Australia.

• “Use relevant case studies” means you can’t just waffle on theory. You need real examples.

So, it’s not just “write about climate change.” It’s far more specific once you slow down.

Step 2: Hunt for Action Words

Briefs are full of command words, and each has its own meaning. A few big ones:

• Analyse — break down, explain how things connect.

• Evaluate — weigh pros and cons, then make a judgment.

• Compare — show both similarities and differences.

• Describe — straightforward outline.

• Critique — identify strengths and weaknesses.

Miss these, and you’ll end up writing the wrong style of paper. I once answered an “evaluate” task by just describing things—big mistake.

Step 3: Don’t Ignore the Word Count

Word count isn’t random. It’s how lecturers signal how much depth they expect. If it says 1,500 words and you turn in 500, you’re definitely underdeveloped. On the flip side, writing 3,000 words won’t impress anyone — you’ll look like you can’t follow instructions.

Here’s a trick: break the word count into sections before you even start. For 1,500 words: maybe 150 for intro, about 1,100 spread across your main points, and 150 to wrap it up. That way you won’t waste half the essay space on a too-long introduction.

Step 4: Spot the Format

Not every assignment is an essay. Sometimes they want a report, a reflective piece, or even a presentation. The structure changes depending on its nature.

• Essay – intro, body, conclusion. Continuous writing.

• Report – has headings, subheadings, often bullet points or visuals.

• Reflection – personal tone, often uses “I” statements.

• Presentation – concise slides, not essay paragraphs.

Also, check the referencing style. APA, Harvard, MLA — they each look different, and lecturers are picky about it. I’ve seen assignments with excellent content lose marks just for formatting references wrong.

Step 5: Look at the Marking Rubric

Most briefs include a rubric at the end. A lot of students ignore it, but here’s the truth: the rubric is basically the marking cheat sheet.

It tells you how your grade is divided. For example:

• 40% for analysis

• 30% for research and referencing

• 20% for the organisation

• 10% for presentation

That’s gold. If you know 40% comes from analysis, you’ll put your energy there instead of wasting hours making your title page look pretty.

Step 6: Note Deadlines and Submission Rules

Another common trip-up: late submissions or wrong format uploads. If your uni uses Turnitin and you upload the wrong file type, guess what? It won’t count.

Pro tip: aim to finish at least two days before the due date. That way, you’ve got buffer time in case your internet dies, your laptop crashes, or you realise you’ve forgotten a reference.

Step 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

If something in the brief is confusing — maybe a vague instruction or unclear format — ask your lecturer or tutor. Seriously, it’s better to check than guess wrong. Most teachers are happy when students clarify instead of going off track.

A Quick Breakdown Example

Here’s a sample brief:

“Evaluate the effectiveness of Australia’s response to bushfires in the past decade. 2,000 words. Use at least eight academic references. APA style. Due Week 6 via Turnitin.”

Decoded:

• Task word: Evaluate — strengths and weaknesses, give a conclusion.

• Topic: Australia’s response to bushfires, not just bushfires in general.

• Word count: 2,000.

• Sources: 8 academic references minimum.

• Referencing: APA.

• Submission: Week 6 on Turnitin.

See how much clearer it is when you pull it apart?

Final Thoughts

Reading an assignment brief isn’t about guessing what your lecturer “might” want. It’s about following the map that’s already given to you. Slow down, underline the key bits, plan around the rubric, and you’ll be miles ahead of the students who skim and hope for the best.

And if you ever feel like you’re still stuck — maybe you understand the brief but don’t know how to start — it’s okay to ask for help.

👉 You can always check getassignment.com.au for extra support with uni assignments, editing, and guidance.