The patchwork text is an assessment method whereby students produce and share short pieces of writing over the course of a module that are subsequently integrated in a final summative piece. This paper reports on the experience of using this method of assessment in a criminal justice module. The objective behind introducing this form of assessment was to address students' complaints about the quality and promptness of feedback they had received previously in the course. The results from the evaluation suggested that students had a very positive experience as the patchwork text had helped them manage their time more effectively, develop an integrated understanding of the topic and self-reflection skills and achieve the best possible result. A crucial element of the success of the patchwork text assessment proved to be the opportunity to receive formative feedback from the tutor.