Gibb’s Model of Reflective Writing
Description
Feelings
Evaluation
Analysis
Conclusion
Action plan
Gibb’s Model Prompt questions
Description of the event • What happened?
• When and where did this happen?
Set the scene, describe what • Who was involved?
happened in the situation / • What did I and others do?
experience. • What was the context?
• What was the result of this situation?
Feelings • How did I feel and think at the time?
• What impact did my emotions, beliefs and values have?
Discuss your feelings and • What do I think other people were feeling?
thoughts about the • What did I feel and think about the incident afterwards?
experience before, during
and after.
Evaluation • What went well? What didn't go so well in the situation?
• What did I and other people do to contribute to the situation (either
How did things go? Focus positively or negatively)?
on the positive and negative • Were there things that were difficult? Interesting? Surprising?
even if it was primarily one Upsetting?
or the other and look • If I am writing about a difficult incident, did I feel that the situation
objectively at what was resolved afterwards?
approaches worked, and • Provide some judgement about the event and its possible
which didn't. consequences
Analysis • Why did things go well? Badly?
• How do my past experiences compare to this?
This is where you make • How does theory or evidence fit with this?
sense of what happened, • Could I have responded in a different way?
using the theory and wider • What might have helped or improved things?
context to develop
understanding.
Conclusion • What else could I have done?
• What insights, thoughts, or conclusions, about my role within this
Think about the situation event that I can now take away?
again, using the information • What have I learnt for the future?
that you've collected so far. • What skills might I need to develop, so that I can handle this type
of situation better?
Action plan • What would I do if a similar situation arose again?
• What are some indicators that would help me recognise a similar
Sum up anything you need event?
to know and do to improve • What are some changes I would make?
for next time. • How /where can I use my new knowledge and experience?
• How will I adapt my actions or improve my skills?
