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Introduction & Overview
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Description: The Foundation of Reflection
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"Description" is the critical first step in any structured reflective practice. It involves providing a clear, factual, and objective account of the specific experience, task, or learning moment that you are reflecting on. Its primary purpose is to establish the basic facts of the situation, creating a foundation upon which deeper reflection can be built.
Detailed Explanation
Before you can truly understand why something happened, or how you felt about it, you first need to clearly describe what happened. This is like setting the scene for a play. You're just stating the facts: what was the task, when did it happen, where, and who was involved if relevant. It's crucial to keep your opinions or judgments out of this part. Just stick to the objective reality of the situation.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you're a detective writing a report about an event. The "description" is just stating "A blue car arrived at 3 PM. A person exited the car carrying a red bag. They entered the building." You're not saying if the car was fast, or if the person looked suspicious β just the raw facts.
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- Chunk Title: Answering "What Happened?"
- Chunk Text: The description phase primarily answers the question: "What happened?" It can also include details to answer: "What were you asked to do?", "Who was involved?", "Where did it take place?", "When did it occur?", and "What was the specific task or activity?"
- Detailed Explanation: When you're describing, literally ask yourself these questions and jot down the answers. For a task, what exactly were the instructions? For a group discussion, who were the key participants? Knowing these factual details helps you recall the event accurately. This is your raw data, the canvas upon which you'll later paint your feelings and analysis.
- Real-Life Example or Analogy: If you're reflecting on cooking a meal, the description would be: "I attempted to make pasta primavera for dinner on Tuesday night using a new recipe. The recipe called for broccoli, bell peppers, and fresh herbs." You're outlining the specifics of the task.
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- Chunk Title: The Importance of Objectivity and Specificity
- Chunk Text: A good description is objective/factual (focusing on what occurred, not opinions), specific (providing enough detail for understanding), and concise (avoiding unnecessary rambling). It establishes a baseline for reflection, promotes objectivity, and organizes thoughts.
- Detailed Explanation: The goal here is clarity and accuracy. Don't start saying "it was a terrible presentation" here; just describe the presentation itself. "I spoke for 5 minutes about literary devices, used three slides, and answered two questions." This specific, factual account prevents you from biasing your own later analysis. Itβs like drawing the exact blueprint before you start designing the interior.
- Real-Life Example or Analogy: If you're describing a football match, you wouldn't say "It was an amazing goal\!" in the description. You'd say "Player A scored from 20 yards out in the 75th minute." The "amazing" part comes later in your evaluation.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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First Step in Reflection: Description is the foundational element.
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Focus on "What Happened": Provides the factual account.
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Objectivity: Separate facts from feelings/judgments.
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Specificity: Include relevant details for clarity.
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Examples
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Vague Description: "I participated in a group discussion in class."
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Specific and Objective Description: "During Tuesday's English class, I participated in a 15-minute small group discussion of Lord of the Flies. Our group was tasked with analyzing Ralph's leadership qualities in Chapters 4-6. I contributed two points about his decision-making."
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Description with Analysis (Incorrect): "My oral presentation went well because I practiced a lot."
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Correct Description: "I delivered my 7-minute oral presentation on rhetorical appeals in Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech. I used a single PowerPoint slide with bullet points and spoke from notes."
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Flashcards
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Term: What is the primary question answered by "Description" in reflective practice?
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Definition: "What happened?"
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Term: Should you include your opinions or judgments in the "Description" phase?
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Definition: No, the description should be objective and factual.
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Term: What does it mean to be "specific" in your description?
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Definition: To provide enough detail and particular information so someone unfamiliar with the situation could understand the basic scenario.
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Memory Aids
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D.I.S.T. - Describe It Specifically, Truthfully.
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Just the F.A.C.T.S. - Factual, Actual, Context, Time, Specifics.
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Analogy: "Description" is like taking a clear, unedited photo of the event. No filters, no commentary, just the raw image.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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Vague Description: "I participated in a group discussion in class."
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Specific and Objective Description: "During Tuesday's English class, I participated in a 15-minute small group discussion of Lord of the Flies. Our group was tasked with analyzing Ralph's leadership qualities in Chapters 4-6. I contributed two points about his decision-making."
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Description with Analysis (Incorrect): "My oral presentation went well because I practiced a lot."
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Correct Description: "I delivered my 7-minute oral presentation on rhetorical appeals in Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech. I used a single PowerPoint slide with bullet points and spoke from notes."
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Flashcards
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Term: What is the primary question answered by "Description" in reflective practice?
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Definition: "What happened?"
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Term: Should you include your opinions or judgments in the "Description" phase?
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Definition: No, the description should be objective and factual.
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Term: What does it mean to be "specific" in your description?
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Definition: To provide enough detail and particular information so someone unfamiliar with the situation could understand the basic scenario.
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Memory Aids
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D.I.S.T. - Describe It Specifically, Truthfully.
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Just the F.A.C.T.S. - Factual, Actual, Context, Time, Specifics.
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Analogy: "Description" is like taking a clear, unedited photo of the event. No filters, no commentary, just the raw image.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π¨ Fun Analogies
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"Description" is like taking a clear, unedited photo of the event. No filters, no commentary, just the raw image.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Baseline
Definition:
A starting point for comparison.
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Term: Specificity
Definition:
Include relevant details for clarity.
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Term: Correct Description
Definition:
"I delivered my 7-minute oral presentation on rhetorical appeals in Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech. I used a single PowerPoint slide with bullet points and spoke from notes."
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Term: Definition
Definition:
To provide enough detail and particular information so someone unfamiliar with the situation could understand the basic scenario.
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Term: Analogy
Definition:
"Description" is like taking a clear, unedited photo of the event. No filters, no commentary, just the raw image.
8.3.2.1 Description Laying the Foundation for Reflection
"Description" is the critical first step in any structured reflective practice. Before you can analyze, evaluate, or plan for the future, you must have a clear and objective understanding of the event or experience you are reflecting upon.
1\. What is "Description"?
- Definition: In reflective practice, "Description" involves providing a clear, factual, and objective account of the specific experience, task, or learning moment that you are reflecting on.
- Purpose: Its primary purpose is to establish the basic facts of the situation, creating a foundation upon which deeper reflection can be built.
2\. Key Questions it Answers
The description phase primarily answers the question:
- "What happened?"
It can also include details to answer:
- "What were you asked to do?" (For tasks or assignments)
- "Who was involved?" (If relevant)
- "Where did it take place?" (Contextual information)
- "When did it occur?" (Timing)
- "What was the specific task or activity?"
3\. Characteristics of a Good Description
- Objective/Factual: Focus on what objectively occurred, rather than on your immediate opinions, judgments, or interpretations. Save those for the "Evaluation" and "Analysis" stages.
- Specific: Provide enough detail so that someone unfamiliar with the situation could understand the basic scenario. Avoid vague generalizations.
- Concise: While specific, avoid unnecessary rambling. Get straight to the core facts of the experience.
- Relevant: Include only the details pertinent to the learning experience you intend to reflect upon.
4\. Why is This Step Important?
- Establishes a Baseline: Without a clear description, subsequent analysis can become confused, misguided, or based on incomplete information.
- Promotes Objectivity: By separating the factual account from initial emotional reactions or judgments, it encourages a more balanced and critical self-assessment later on.
- Organizes Thoughts: It forces you to mentally (or physically, if writing a journal) structure the experience before diving into deeper contemplation.
5\. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Jumping to Judgment/Analysis: Do not immediately start saying whether something went well or poorly, or why. Simply state what happened.
- Being Too Vague: Avoid statements like "I did a presentation" without detailing what kind of presentation, on what topic, or what the specific challenge was.
- Including Irrelevant Details: Stick to the facts that directly relate to the learning experience you want to explore.
By taking the time to thoroughly and accurately describe the learning moment, you create a solid springboard for meaningful and insightful reflection.