Quick answer: To write a strong 5N0690 personal expression piece, choose one specific experience or opinion you genuinely care about, pick the format that lets you tell it most naturally (written 500 to 700 words, or audio or video of 4 to 6 minutes), and show what you learned rather than just what happened. Of the 10 marks, 5 go on depth and insight, 3 on style and expression, and 2 on structure.
You have opened the brief for QQI Level 5 Communications, seen the words “choose any topic”, and felt oddly stuck. That is common. Freedom is harder than a set question. If you are on a Healthcare Support programme, you can see the exact wording in our Personal Expression assignment brief, and the rest of this guide explains how to turn it into a piece your tutor will enjoy marking.
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What the 5N0690 personal expression piece is really asking for
The assessment sits within the Communications module at NFQ Level 5 (QQI, n.d.). It is worth 10% of the module, so the effort should be sensible, not exhausting. The brief gives you an open choice of topic and format, and the marking is built around three things.
| Criterion | Marks | What the marker is looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Depth and insight, originality | 5 | A real thought, opinion or lesson that goes beyond description |
| Style and expression | 3 | Clear, engaging, authentic language in your own voice |
| Structure and coherence | 2 | A beginning, a development and an ending that fit together |
Notice where the weight sits. Half the marks reward what you think, not how fancy you sound. A simple story with a genuine insight beats an elaborate one with nothing underneath.
Step 1: Choose a topic you can say something true about
The best topics are small and specific. “Communication in healthcare” is too wide. “The morning I realised a resident was nodding without hearing me” is a piece waiting to happen. Good starting points include a moment on placement, a book or film that changed your mind, a person who taught you something, or an opinion you hold and can defend.
Ask yourself three quick questions:
- Can I describe this in one sentence?
- Did it change how I think or act, even slightly?
- Would I be comfortable with my tutor reading it?
If the answer to all three is yes, you have a topic. Keep names and identifying details out of anything involving real people, especially residents or patients. Change details or keep them general.
Step 2: Pick the format that suits your voice
The brief lists examples such as a reflective journal entry, an opinion piece, a review, a letter, a speech, a poem or song lyrics. Evidence can be written, audio, video or another creative format. Here is a quick comparison.
| Format | Length | Strength | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective journal entry | 500 to 700 words | Natural place to show insight and learning | Turning into a diary list of events |
| Opinion piece or review | 500 to 700 words | Lets you argue a viewpoint with personality | Sounding like a school essay |
| Letter to a future self or mentor | 500 to 700 words | Easy emotional honesty | Vague advice with no specifics |
| Speech, podcast or spoken word | 4 to 6 minutes | Shows tone, pace and listening skills | Reading too quickly or too flatly |
Choose the one you would find easiest to be honest in. You can see how one format plays out in our model extract, for reference only, which uses a reflective journal entry and breaks down the marks.
Step 3: A simple method to plan and write it
- Write the point first. Complete this sentence: “What I want my reader to understand is…”. If you cannot finish it, the topic is not ready.
- Pick one scene or moment. Start close to the action. Skip the long preamble about who you are.
- Add the thinking. Say what you felt, what you got wrong or assumed, and what you now believe. This is where the 5 marks sit.
- Link it to a wider idea. Show that the lesson applies beyond the one moment, to work, family or your own habits.
- Close with action or a changed view. Say what you will do or think differently, and ideally echo your opening.
- Cut ruthlessly. Draft long, then trim to inside the word limit.
If you reflect on an experience, a framework can help you see what is missing. Gibbs (1988) proposed a cycle of description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. Use it as a private checklist while planning. Your piece should read like writing, not like a form with labels. Our guide to self-reflective records in healthcare goes further into the habit of reflecting.
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Writing with depth and insight
Depth is the difference between “I felt nervous on my first day” and “I realised my nervousness made me talk too fast, and the person I was caring for stopped listening.” The second shows cause and effect. A few moves help:
- Admit something. A mistake, a first reaction you are not proud of or a changed opinion makes writing credible.
- Ask “so what?” After each paragraph, add a sentence that explains why it matters.
- Be specific. One concrete detail (a cold cup of tea, a raised eyebrow) is worth ten general statements.
- Connect to your course. Where it fits naturally, link to what you have learned about listening, non-verbal communication or tone. The module covers these areas (QQI, n.d.).
Style and expression: sounding like you
The criteria use the words “clear, engaging and authentic”. In practice that means plain, confident language. The National Adult Literacy Agency (n.d.) advises aiming for sentences of about 15 to 20 words, using active verbs, avoiding jargon and explaining any abbreviation. That advice suits a Level 5 piece well. Mix long and short sentences. Read your work aloud, and wherever you stumble, rewrite.
Structure and coherence in a short piece
With only 2 marks, structure is the easiest criterion to secure. Give your piece a clear opening, a middle that develops one idea and an ending that closes the loop. Use short paragraphs. If you choose audio or video, plan the same three parts and rehearse against a timer so you land between 4 and 6 minutes.
Audio and video: practical tips
- Write a script or detailed notes, then practise until you can speak it, not read it.
- Record in a quiet room with the phone close and steady, and check the sound before the final take.
- Face a window or lamp so your face is lit, and keep the background plain.
- Pause between ideas. A pause sounds confident and gives the listener time to follow.
Mistakes that cost marks
| Mistake | Why it loses marks | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Telling a story with no lesson | Weak depth and insight | Add what you learned and why it matters |
| Choosing a huge topic | Vague, general writing | Narrow to one moment or one opinion |
| Going well over or under the limit | Looks careless | Count words or time the recording |
| Real names and workplace details | Confidentiality concerns | Change details or keep them general |
| No proofreading | Errors distract the marker | Read aloud and ask someone to check |
Mark-maximising checklist
- My topic is specific, and I can state my point in one sentence.
- I have included at least one honest admission or changed view.
- Every paragraph answers “so what?”.
- My language is plain and in my own voice.
- The piece has a clear opening, development and ending.
- I am inside the word or time limit for my format.
- No real people or places can be identified.
- I proofread it aloud once, then again the next day.
- I know my tutor’s submission deadline and time (the brief says 1pm) and have uploaded early.
Working through several QQI components this term? The article on NFQ awards, assessments and credits explains how each piece fits into the whole award.
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About the expert
Emma Murphy holds a Master’s in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin and specialises in literature, language and communication. She has worked as an English professor at a leading university in Ireland for the past 7 years and is also a freelance writer and editor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write about any topic for the personal expression assessment?
Yes, within reason. The brief invites you to choose a topic that interests you and to express thoughts, opinions or experiences.
Should the piece be about healthcare because I am on a Healthcare Support programme?
It does not have to be. A placement experience can work well because it is real and close to your course, but a film, a family story or a strong opinion can score just as highly if it shows insight and is well expressed.
What is the word count for a written submission?
The brief sets 500 to 700 words for written work. Audio and video submissions should run between 4 and 6 minutes. Always check with your tutor if your centre has issued different instructions.
Is it okay to use poetry or song lyrics?
The brief lists both as options. If you go that route, make the meaning clear and the structure deliberate. A short note or spoken introduction can help the marker see your intention, if your tutor permits it.
Do I need references in a personal expression piece?
Usually not, because the piece is based on your own thoughts and experience. If you quote someone or use a specific idea or statistic, name the source clearly and follow the referencing guidance your centre provides.
What if I need more time to submit?
Submission is due by 1pm on the deadline your tutor sets. If something prevents you from meeting it, request an extension in writing under your centre’s Compassionate Considerations process before the deadline passes.
If you would like a trained eye on your finished draft, you can explore reflective journal writing support or look at the wider healthcare assistant assignment support. You can learn more about who we are on our about us page, and when you are ready, you can submit your assignment details for a quote.
References
Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. Oxford: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic. Available at: https://vufind.lboro.ac.uk/Record/582669 (Accessed: 23 October 2026).
National Adult Literacy Agency (n.d.) Plain English guidelines at a glance. Available at: https://www.nala.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Plain-English-guidelines-at-a-glance.pdf (Accessed: 23 October 2026).
National Adult Literacy Agency (2024) Writing and design tips. Available at: https://nala.ie/publications/writing-and-design-tips (Accessed: 23 October 2026).
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (n.d.) Communications 5N0690: component specification, NFQ Level 5. Available at: https://qsdocs.qqi.ie/sites/docs/AwardsLibraryPdf/5N0690_AwardSpecifications_English.pdf (Accessed: 23 October 2026).
