Academic Writing

Rhetorical functions in academic writing: Action plans

Introduction

Often, for example in reflective writing, it is necessary to describe your plans for action.

Based on Kolb’s work on reflection, Gibbs (1988, p. 47) suggests the following stages to encourage deeper reflection:

See: Writing Functions 40: Reflecting

Action planning, therefore, needs to include:

• What are you going to do differently in this type of situation next time?
• What steps are you going to take on the basis of what you have learnt?

In more detail, it can involve:

• identifying and setting your objectives
• identifying what actions you commit to taking
• identifying what will indicate that the objectives have been achieved
• prioritising your tasks
• identifying the stages needed to achieve your goals
• identifying a timescale
• working to a deadline

Language

Some useful language is:

Action Plans

Explain what you are going to do next and justify it.

Example

Read this example. Can you recognise the sections and language identified above.

Key:

 Planning Action;