How to Write a Strong TMA Introduction and Conclusion

Your tutor reads your introduction first and your conclusion last. Those two short sections shape how the whole TMA feels: either focused and in control, or vague and padded. Yet they are often written in a rush, with the introduction drafted before the student knows what the argument is and the conclusion squeezed in after the word limit has nearly run out.

This guide shows you what a TMA introduction needs to do, how long it should be, how to write a conclusion that does more than repeat itself, and the mistakes tutors see most often. The examples work for essay-style TMAs at SUSS, the Open University, Wawasan, OUM, AOU and similar programmes. Always check your own module guidance, because some TMAs are reports or short-answer tasks with their own structure.

What should a TMA introduction actually do?

A good TMA introduction has three jobs, and it should do them quickly.

1. Frame the question. Show that you understand what the task is asking, in your own words rather than copying the question back.
2. State your position or focus. Tell the reader what you will argue or conclude. In a discuss or evaluate question, this is your thesis. In an applied task, it may be the main issue you will analyse.
3. Signpost the structure. Briefly say what the TMA will cover and in what order, so the tutor can follow your route.

That is all. An introduction is not the place for long background, dictionary definitions of obvious words, or dramatic opening lines about how important the topic is in the modern world. If a sentence could open a thousand other essays, cut it.

How long should my TMA introduction be?

A common rule of thumb is around 10% of the word limit for the introduction and a similar amount for the conclusion. That is a guide, not a rule, and your module may say otherwise.

TMA word limit	Introduction (approx.)	Conclusion (approx.)	Main body
1,000 words	80–100	80–100	800–840
1,500 words	120–150	120–150	1,200–1,260
2,000 words	150–200	150–200	1,600–1,700
2,500 words	200–250	200–250	2,000–2,100

Most of the marks sit in the main body, where your analysis and evidence live. A 400-word introduction in a 1,500-word TMA almost always means less room for the thinking the marking criteria reward. If you are unsure what counts towards your limit, see our guide on what counts in a TMA word count.

How do I write a TMA introduction step by step?

Here is a simple four-sentence pattern you can adapt. It works best when you write it after your main body is drafted.

• Sentence 1, context: one sentence that places the question in the topic, ideally linked to the module’s key idea.
• Sentence 2, focus: what the question is asking you to examine, restated in your own terms. If a key term is contested, define it here briefly, using the module’s definition.
• Sentence 3, position: your main argument or answer.
• Sentence 4, route: the order in which you will cover the main points.

A worked example

Imagine the TMA question is: “Evaluate the extent to which flexible working arrangements improve employee wellbeing. Use examples from the module materials.”

Weak opening: “In today’s world, work is very important to everyone. Flexible working is a topic that many people talk about. This essay will discuss flexible working and wellbeing.”

Stronger opening: “Flexible working arrangements, such as remote work and adjustable hours, are often presented as a straightforward route to better employee wellbeing. This TMA evaluates that claim using the job demands and resources perspective from Unit 3. It argues that flexibility improves wellbeing mainly when employees have genuine control over their schedules, and can harm it when flexibility blurs the boundary between work and home. The discussion first examines the benefits, then the risks, and finally the organisational conditions that decide which effect dominates.”

The second version names the concept, takes a clear position and maps the structure in about 80 words. The tutor knows exactly what to expect.

Should I write my introduction first or last?

Write a rough working introduction first if it helps you get started, but rewrite it last. Your argument usually sharpens while you draft the main body. If you keep your original opening, it may promise points you dropped or miss the conclusion you actually reached.

A quick test once your draft is complete: read only your introduction and your conclusion, one after the other. They should agree. If the introduction says you will argue one thing and the conclusion lands somewhere else, fix the introduction to match what you really argued.

What makes a strong TMA conclusion?

A strong conclusion does more than say “in conclusion” and list what you covered. It should:

• Answer the question directly. Return to the exact wording of the task and give your final judgement. In an evaluate or to what extent question, say how far you agree and why.
• Pull the threads together. Show how the main points connect to support your judgement, rather than summarising each paragraph in turn.
• Acknowledge limits or implications where relevant. One sentence on what the evidence cannot show, or what follows for practice, often lifts a conclusion. Check that your module expects this.

The same example, concluded

Weak conclusion: “In conclusion, this essay has discussed flexible working. There are advantages and disadvantages. Flexible working is important for wellbeing.”

Stronger conclusion: “Flexible working can improve employee wellbeing, but the evidence in this module suggests the effect depends on control rather than flexibility alone. Where employees choose when and where they work, reduced commuting and better work-life balance tend to support wellbeing. Where flexibility is imposed or comes with constant availability, it can increase strain. Flexible working is therefore best understood as a resource that helps only when organisations protect boundaries and give employees real choice.”

The stronger version gives a clear, qualified answer and shows how the evidence led there.

Can I add new information or references in my conclusion?

Generally, no. Your conclusion should draw on points you have already made and supported. Introducing a new study, statistic or argument at the end leaves it unexplained and suggests the main body was incomplete. If you discover an important point while writing the conclusion, move it into the body and support it properly.

There are exceptions. Some report-style TMAs ask for recommendations after the conclusion, and some reflective tasks ask for an action plan. Follow the structure in your TMA guidance notes if it differs.

What introduction and conclusion mistakes do tutors see most often?

Mistake	Why it costs marks	Quick fix
Copying the question as the first sentence	Shows no interpretation of the task	Restate the focus in your own words
Long background or history	Uses words that should go on analysis	Keep context to one or two sentences
No clear position	The tutor cannot see what you are arguing	Add one sentence that states your answer
Promising points you never cover	Makes the structure look careless	Rewrite the introduction after drafting
Conclusion that only lists topics	Misses the chance to answer the question	Give a final judgement linked to the task wording
New evidence in the conclusion	Leaves claims unsupported	Move it into the main body
Writing “I will” or “this essay will” five times	Feels mechanical and wastes words	Signpost once, briefly

Many of these problems show up clearly when you check your draft against the marking criteria. Our guide on using the marking rubric to plan your TMA shows how to read what each band rewards.

Does an Open University TMA introduction need anything different?

The principles are the same, but OU TMAs often include detailed guidance notes explaining what the module team expects, and sometimes specify a structure or a word allocation for each part. Some OU TMAs are split into several questions, each needing its own short opening. Read the notes carefully and follow them over any general advice, including this article. Our Open University TMA writing guide covers the wider process, from reading the question to submitting through the eTMA system.

Who can check whether my introduction and conclusion work?

Your module tutor is the best person to ask about the specific task, and tutor feedback on earlier TMAs often points straight at introduction and conclusion habits. Reread it before you start the next one.

If you want a second opinion before submitting, our tutors can read your draft and explain where the opening and ending could be clearer through our TMA draft feedback service. We give feedback and guidance on your own work; we do not write or submit TMAs, and you should always follow your university’s academic integrity and AI-use rules.