Using a Critical Reflection Framework to

Proofread Your Report

• Why use critical reflection?
Analysing a critical incident may help you to:
• “reflect-on-action” (ie past experience),
• “reflect-in-action” (ie as an incident happens), and
• “reflect-for-action” (ie actions you may wish to take in future
experiences)
• Critical reflection is an extension of “critical thinking”. It asks us to
think about our practice and ideas and then it challenges us to step-
back and examine our thinking by asking probing questions. It asks us
to not only delve into the past and look at the present but
importantly it asks us to speculate about the future and act.
Critical Reflection Framework

The What So What Now What

Critical Reflection Framework
• The What
• A description of the incident/experience with just enough detail to
support doing your “So what?” section. For example, description
about who, what, why, when, where
• Depending on the specific requirements of the task, you can focus on
ensuring that it is complete with information and details to answer
“The What” question. ”What” exactly are you writing/communicating
about? Has your introduction effectively set the stage for it? Have you
shared sufficient details about it?
Critical Reflection Framework
• So What
• This is the sense-making section that asks you to surface general meaning,
significance, your position / view point; actions; emotions (pre-during-
post).
• Now, after ensuring that you’ve included the “What” in your
writing/communicating, you’ll need to ensure that you move on to answer
the “So What” question. So what that you have shared what you sought to
write/communicate about? Has your introduction effectively highlighted
the significance of the incident/scenario? Have you highlighted the gaps
such that you would make it clear how you seek to behave/communicate
differently should the incident happens again in the future?
Critical Reflection Framework
• Now What
• This section makes connections from the experience / incident to further
actions. For example, what would you do differently / the same next time?
How come? What are key points, lessons learnt to share with your
colleagues, network and/or group outside the network? (eg. idea, product,
process, concept)? How will you do this?
• Now, after seeking to include the “So What” in your
writing/communicating, you’ll need to then complete it with the “Now
What” question. Has your discussion effectively highlighted the what
you’ve elucidated from the example/scenario discussed? Has your
conclusion highlighted what aspect of your communication you will pay
attention to?