rationale for learning english essay

• Academic Skills
• Reading, writing and referencing
• Writing effectively

Writing a rationale

How to write a rationale.

What is a rationale?

A rationale is when you are asked to give the reasoning or justification for an action or a choice you make.

There is a focus on the ‘ why ’ in a rationale: why you chose to do something, study or focus on something. It is a set of statements of purpose and significance and often addresses a gap or a need.

A rationale in Australian academic writing is rarely a whole task by itself.  It is often a part of a bigger task. For example, a part of a lesson plan might be to provide a rationale for why you chose to teach particular content or use a certain resource or activity, or you may be asked to provide a rationale as to why you chose a particular theory to apply or a concept to support.

You may be called upon to provide a rationale:

prior to an action or decision; why you plan to do something and how, or

• after you have acted or decided something; reflecting, looking back, why you did something and how it worked or not.

You can use language to signal you are clearly providing a rationale in your writing. You can link your rationale to learning outcomes or aims for a lesson, activity or assessment task.

A model: problem-solution-rationale

A rationale can be provided by offering longer essay-based support for why it is important to do something in a certain way – in that sense, a whole paper can be a rationale.

However, a more specific or focused way of thinking about a rationale is how we can overtly show we are justifying our choices with the language we use.

One way of doing this is to consider the problem or issue requiring attention, the solution and then the rationale or justification for the solution (the ‘why’). This sets the rationale (the reason) within a context.

A diagnostic assessment determined that the students required more attention to addition and subtraction of mixed fractions. This activity intends to address this problem by having the children engage with the task with blocks before it is done with figures. The reason I chose to do this is because students have higher comprehension levels when presented with visual or tangible representations of abstract problems (Benson, 2016). I also did this as I wanted to allow the children to ‘play’ with maths, to see that it can be a fun activity and in doing so, to breakdown some of the ‘anti-mathematics prejudices’ that Gaines (2017, p. 4) talks about.

The important thing here is the language used to signal the rationale , in this case:

The reason I chose to do this is because … and I also did this as …

Another problem / solution / rationale example:

Scaffolding is the support provided by the teacher or a significant other, such as a classmate, which helps students in learning (Gibbons, 2015). Some students were having difficulty with the language at entry while others, particularly those who had completed the pre-tasks, had few problems. Therefore, in order to address this disparity in level and understanding, mixed-ability pairs were created where the more competent student helped the other. On reflection, this was an effective way to run the activity for two reasons : it allowed peer-to-peer teaching which solidified both students’ understanding; and it scaffolded the support in a way that allowed me to roam the room lending advice to pairs as needed.

The language used to signal our rationale in this example:

in order to and for two reasons …

Language to signal rationale

in order to

the reason this was done/chosen …

for the following reason(s) …

for two/three reasons …

Language for further justification - showing importance

This was important / significant because …

This meant that I could…

This enabled me to …

… which enabled / allowed me to…

… which pointed to / highlighted that / showed me that …

The key thing to remember about rationale writing is to stand back from the writing, look at it in a big picture sense and ask yourself, ‘ Have I explained why? ’ If that is clearly articulated, you have provided a rationale.

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Rationale Worksheet

Ra-tion-ale (noun) 1. Fundamental reasons; the basis 2. An exposition of principles or reasons

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed. 2003.

• Background Information about You and Your Goals
• Overall Degree Program Design
• Concentration
• General Learning
• Breadth, Progression and Integration
• SUNY and Empire State College Degree Requirements
• Advanced Standing Studies
• Empire State College Studies
• Special Considerations

Using the Worksheet

The following worksheet can help you to understand better what is expected in a rationale essay. It will also help you to incorporate your personal and professional information in a meaningful way. When completed, the worksheet can serve as an outline for your rationale.

However, please be aware that this is a worksheet only; it cannot serve as a substitute for your rationale.

There are a couple of different ways you can use this worksheet:

• Write brief answers and then expand on these when you actually write your rationale.
• Use the worksheet as an outline and develop more extensive answers directly in a word processing program. These entries can then serve as a first draft of your rationale.

Do your best to carefully reflect on the questions posed in the worksheet and answer them as best as you can. If you do, you should have the foundation for a very good rationale.

I. Background Information about You and Your Goals

The essay discussion of goals is usually the first portion of the essay, so readers can get a sense of the context in which you're pursuing your degree. Use these questions to help you think and write about goals:

• What are your personal, professional, and educational goals?
• Why do you want to pursue your degree? Provide enough background so that readers can understand the reasons that led you to pursue a degree and the results you expect to achieve by pursuing your degree. How do you intend to use your degree?
• What knowledge, qualities, or characteristics do you hope to develop through your studies?
• What do you want to learn through this degree? How will you combine your previous learning with new learning to develop your academic area and become a more fully-educated person? Based on any self-assessments you have done, and any previous college coursework (at SUNY Empire or other colleges), do you need to strengthen certain academic skill areas or develop certain perspectives?
• What degree(s) are you seeking at Empire State College?
• Where would you like to be professionally in five or ten years?
• How will your degree help you to reach your professional goals?

II. Research

• Which Empire State College area of study guidelines are relevant to your concentration? Explain what you learned from reviewing them.
• Did you review catalogs or online degree program and/or course descriptions from other colleges and universities? Be specific. Name the institutions and the programs you consulted. What did you learn from these catalogs? What courses are common to each program you reviewed?
• Did you consult professionals or academics who are experienced in the area of your degree program concentration? Who were they? What did you learn? Did you incorporate their advice into your degree program by adding specific studies?
• Did you consult a graduate program advisor or a graduate catalog if you plan to continue your studies beyond the bachelor’s level? What institution? What did you learn? How did this knowledge affect your choice of studies?
• Did you review journal articles, books, or chapters of books? What did you read? What did you learn? How did this knowledge affect your choice of studies?
• Did you investigate employment or career opportunities? How? What did you learn? How did this knowledge affect your choice of studies?

III. Overall Degree Program Design

• What is the framework or organization of your degree?
• Why did you choose this framework or organization? How does it best meet your goals?
• What is your area of study? Why did you chose that area? How does it best meet your goals?

IV. Concentration

• What is your concentration? Are you using an established concentration with guidelines or have your developed your own? If you have developed your own concentration, how have you organized it?
• How does your concentration best meet your goals? How does it represent the learning that you have acquired?
• How does your concentration meet the area of study guidelines? If you have developed your own concentration, how have you designed it to meet the area of study guidelines?
• Are all the studies listed in the concentration column consistent with the concentration’s title? If so, can you explain why?
• How do your concentration studies work together to form a coherent degree program?
• How do they provide a foundation for advanced studies?
• How do they support a progression of your learning?
• How do they support an integration of your learning?
• How do they provide breadth so that your concentration isn’t too narrowly focused on one subject?
• How do they fulfill academic expectations uncovered during your research?
• How do they help your degree program meet expectations for advanced-level credits (bachelor’s only)?

V. General Learning

• How do they provide overall breadth to your degree program?
• Do any of them fulfill a SUNY General Education requirement? How?
• How do any of your general learning studies complement your concentration? How?

VI. Breadth, Progression and Integration

Note: You may have already explained breadth, progression and integration of your studies in earlier sections, especially in the sections on your concentration and general learning. If you want to make some additional points on how some of your learning especially provides your degree with breadth, progression and integration, you can elaborate more.

• How do your advanced standing and Empire State College studies provide breadth, progression and integration in your degree?

VII. SUNY and Empire State College Degree Requirements

Note: You may have already explained how your studies have met the SUNY and Empire State College requirements in earlier sections. You may, however, want to elaborate more if you have only mentioned the requirements and not explained how you have met them.

• How have you met the SUNY general education requirements? In what ways are they meeting these requirements? How have you infused the critical thinking and information management competencies into your degree?
• How does your degree program meet the requirements for liberal arts and science credits? How do you define “liberal arts and science” studies? How do your designated studies fit your definition?
• Does your bachelor’s degree program include sufficient advanced-level credits overall (45 are required)? Within your concentration (24 are required)? Advanced-level credits can be included in an associate degree, but they aren’t required. How do these studies support the progression of your degree?

VIII. Advanced Standing Studies

Note: You may have already explained why you are using some of your advanced standing studies in earlier sections. You may, however, want to elaborate more if you have only mentioned them and not explained why you have decided to use them in your degree.

Don’t list individual courses, but describe them in general or group them together in ways that you see that they are related and were of greatest interest or importance to you. Give the readers some sense of the learning the you bring to your degree.

• Why have you chosen to use the advanced standing studies that you have in your degree?
• How have the transcript or prior learning studies augmented your knowledge in your degree?
• How have they helped you meet your goals?
• How have they shaped what studies you decided to take at Empire State College?

IX. Empire State College Studies

Note: You may have already explained why you have chosen certain Empire State College studies in earlier sections. You may, however, want to elaborate more if you have only mentioned them and not explained why you have decided to use them in your degree.

• Why have you chosen the Empire State College studies that you have in your degree?
• How do your Empire State College studies build on your prior learning?
• How have the Empire State College studies helped you meet your goals?
• How have you shaped these studies to complete your knowledge for your degree?

X. Special Considerations

Note: You may have already explained any special considerations in earlier sections, but you may want to elaborate on some to make sure that the readers understand why you have made the decisions that you have.

• If there are any important points you want to make about your choices in your degree, you should take the time to explain them. Make sure that you have explained why you have made the choices that you have in the design of your degree.
• Explain why if you have deviated from any of the academic or professional expectations. If expected learning is missing or not readily apparent on the degree program itself, your rationale should explain its absence.
• If your concentration is unique or fairly nontraditional, explain why you chose the studies that make up your concentration and how they work together to form a sound college degree.
• If some of your learning may appear to have potential redundancy by their titles, explain the differences in your learning.
• If you plan to pursue a career in education or in accounting, you need to address that you recognize that your degree will not meet all of the state licensing requirements and sign a Teacher Certification Disclaimer or Accounting Certification Disclaimer.

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Importance Of English Language Essay

500 words importance of english language essay.

The English Language is becoming more and more common in the world. As a result, increasingly people are dedicating time to study English as their second language. In fact, many countries include it in their school syllabus to teach children this language from a young age. However, the true value of this language is that it helps remove many barriers from our life. Whether it is to find a new job or travel the world. In other words, it helps to progress in life both on a personal and professional level. Thus, the Importance of English Language Essay will help you understand all about it.

Importance Of English Language

Language is our major means of communication; it is how we share our thoughts with others. A language’s secondary purpose is to convey someone’s sentiments, emotions, or attitudes. English is one such language in the world that satisfies both the above purposes. English has been regarded as the first global Lingua Franca. It has become part and parcel of almost every existing field. We use it as the international language to communicate in many fields ranging from business to entertainment.

Many countries teach and encourage youngsters to acquire English as a second language. Even in nations where English is not an official language, many science and engineering curriculum are written in English.

English abilities will most certainly aid you in any business endeavours you choose to pursue. Many large corporations will only hire professional employees after determining whether or not they speak good English. Given the language’s prominence, English language classes will be advantageous to you if you want to work for a multinational organization and will teach you the communication skills needed to network with professionals in your area or enhance your career.

The English Language opens an ocean of career opportunities to those who speak this language anywhere in the world. Similarly, it has turned into an inevitable requirement for various fields and professions like medicine , computing and more.

In the fast-evolving world, it is essential to have a common language that we can understand to make the best use of the data and information available. As a result, the English Language has become a storehouse of various knowledge ranging from social to political fields.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas  

Reasons to Learn the English Language

As the importance of the English Language is clear now, we move on to why we must learn the English Language. First of all, it is a global language. It is so common that one out of five people can speak or understand this language.

Further, learning the English Language can help in getting a job easily. As it has become the language of many fields, it automatically increases the chances of landing a good job in a good company.

In addition, it helps with meeting new people. As it is the official language of 53 countries, learning it helps to break the language barriers. Most importantly, it is also the language of the Internet.

Another important reason to learn this language is that it makes travelling easier. Being a widely used language globally, it will help you connect with people easily. Similarly, it is also essential in the world of business.

It does not matter whether you are an employee or employer, it benefits everyone. Students who wish to study abroad must definitely study this language. Many countries use their schools and universities. So, it can offer a good opportunity for students.

Why and where do we need the English language?

• Use of English on the Internet – Because of the tremendous rise of information technology, particularly the internet, English is the language of choice for Internet users. The internet has also played an important role in promoting and spreading the English language throughout the world, as more and more people are exposed to it, and English has also become the language of the internet.
• Use of English in Education – English has become one of the majorly used languages to understand, learn and explain concepts from various fields of knowledge. The majority of instructional tools, materials, and texts are written in English. The global educational systems at colleges all over the world need English as a foreign language.
• Use of English for Travel purposes – As we all know, English has been named as the official language of 53 countries and over 400 million people in the world speak English, the English language comes in handy for communicating with everyone when anyone travels around the world be it for tourism, job opportunity, settlement, casual visits, etc.
• Use of English for Communication – The most important function of a language is to allow people to communicate effectively. For many years, English has been the most widely known and valued language on the planet. In other words, English becomes an efficient tool for communicating with people all over the world.

Conclusion of Importance Of English Language Essay

We use the English Language in most of our international communications. While it is not the most spoken language in the world, 53 countries have named it their official language. Moreover, about 400 million people globally use it as their first language. Thus, being the most common second language in the world, it will be beneficial to learn this language to open doors to new opportunities.

FAQ on Importance Of English Language Essay

Question 1: How does the English Language help you get a job?

Answer 1: the  English Language is the language of many things like science, aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism. Thus, if you know English, it will increase your chances of landing a good job in an international company.

Question 2: Does the English Language help in connecting with people globally?

Answer 2: Yes, it does. It is because English is the official language of 53 countries and we use it as a lingua franca (a mutually known language) by people from all over the world. This means that studying English can help us have a conversation with people on a global level.

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RATIONALE FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

• Posted on August 2, 2018
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The entire world has become a village with the advent of computer and internet. People go from one place to other place, frequently, for many purposes. This facilitates to know about the cultures of other countries. All the people are not privileged to enjoy this facility. A second language is necessary for this purpose. English is the tool through which we can learn many things that are existing in the world. There are many reasons for which the learners learn English as a second language. The various rationales for learning English are listed below.  Learn the culture of different countries by direct experience.  The nuances of other cultures that include festivals and family functions  Learning the fashion and the life style from the films of other countries  Knowledge about the working of the language.  Communicating with family members  Communicating with friends  Participating in exchanging cultural and sports events  Learning English facilitates to travel and study in other countries  Making it easier to communicate with other countries‟ people  Developing the skills of working with different cultures  New ideas and knowledge are got

 The skills in our mother tongue is developed by contribution from English So, learning English as a second language can bring a great amount of benefit socially and personally. It paves way to enjoy different opportunities that can contribute individually and to the country. While learning English opens up opportunities for work and travel and it also ensures the personal finding of oneself. Learning the other cultures help us understand and appreciate our own culture. By all means, the rationale for learning English as a second language is to understand social, cultural, economic and………..

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Ap® english language and composition (intensive, ncaa approved).

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Learn to write college-level essays, expand your vocabulary, and prepare to take the Advanced Placement® Exam in English Language and Composition during this intensive 12-week course. We’ll study a variety of nonfiction texts to understand the interplay between author’s purpose, message, and audience expectations. You’ll also write your own arguments and research-based and rhetorical analysis essays while developing your skills at analyzing diction, syntax, persuasive appeals, methods of development, and more. After each essay, you will write a reflection explaining and evaluating your writing process. You’ll receive feedback from your instructor and often from your peers, revising your work along the way. You will also practice answering multiple-choice questions similar to those on past AP® exams, and develop strong essay test-taking skills like organization and time management. Through written collaboration with classmates from around the world, you’ll explore new perspectives and develop your own ideas. This writing course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board to use the AP® designation.

Time Commitment: 6-10 hours of independent work per week.  

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What we'll do

Over 10 course units, we will develop key reading and writing skills and apply them in activities, workshops, writing assignments, and revisions. We’ll hone our text comprehension and analysis skills with multiple-choice questions based on nonfiction passages. In addition, we’ll write 13 full essays, including three for a final practice exam that mimics a full AP exam. Through our reading and writing, we’ll explore how people communicate their ideas and feelings through language, how readers understand those ideas and feelings, and what types of communication are most effective for each situation. You will continually improve by applying instructor and classmate feedback on your own writing.

What we’ll learn

• To analyze an author’s use of diction, tone, syntax, comparisons, methods of development, figurative language, audience appeals, and formatting
• To write persuasively on a variety of topics based on given evidence and your own knowledge and experiences
• To effectively use strategies such as introducing and concluding an essay, writing strong thesis statements, seamlessly embedding quotations, qualifying arguments, rebutting counterarguments, and creating cohesion in an essay

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain how writers’ choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation
• Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation
• Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument
• Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim
• Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument
• Illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument with organization and commentary
• Explain how writers’ stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument
• Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument
• Annotate texts, narrow multiple-choice options, and outline essays to prepare for timed tests
• Communicate effectively and empathetically about topics that affect all people

How we'll measure learning

The objectives for this course align exactly with those released by the College Board for this exam, and course lessons cover all of these objectives. You will demonstrate mastery of course skills with multiple-choice quizzes in every unit and three different types of essays. All multiple-choice questions and essay prompts either appeared on a previous AP exam, or closely mimic AP style and format. In this graded course, each assignment will be assessed using a rubric aligned to AP grading standards.

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Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY

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Testing and Prerequisites

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Application fee.

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• Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

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We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course . If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected] .  

No textbooks are required for this course

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client , and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app . Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

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Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

After a you complete a course, your projects may be used to illustrate work for future students. 

You will need to create an account on a third-party site to access course resources.

About Language Arts at CTY

Enhance your skills in creative writing and critical reading, learn to craft effective sentences, and develop an analytical approach to reading and writing through our Language Arts courses. Guided by our expert instructors, you can further develop your communication skills in our interdisciplinary visual fluency courses, and explore topics in communication theory, design theory, and cognitive psychology. Through coursework and online discussions with classmates from around the world, you’ll elevate your writing structure and style, hone your craft, and become an adept wordsmith fluent in the language of literary arts. 

Write, Edit, Publish

Walk in the shoes of a writer, editor, and publisher this fall in Master Class I: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , and then collaborate with peers to create the next issue of our CTY Online student-developed literary journal, Lexophilia , in Master Class II: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , offered in the winter.

Explore Greek Myths

Newly revised for fall 2021, you'll read, discuss, and write about Greek myths in Young Readers’ Series: Greek Myths Revisited , studying exciting, heroic characters and ancient narratives that continue to teach us all valuable lessons about life, love, and family.

Meet our Language Arts Instructors

I realize that I love teaching on an almost daily basis. It comes to me in the form of a student's 'ah-ha' moment, when everything clicks and the student understands a challenging concept. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

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Learn to think critically and write well with rationale.

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A rationale is a detailed explanation or justification for a decision, action, or belief, providing reasons and underlying principles. It helps clarify the logic and thought process behind choices made. In academic contexts, a rationale may be part of a Thesis Summary or a Case Summary , offering sentences that articulate the basis for research or case studies.

What is a Rationale?

50 rationale examples with answers.

• Education: Project-based learning promotes student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application.
• Business: Employee training improves skills, productivity, and job satisfaction.
• Healthcare: Regular health screenings detect issues early and improve patient outcomes.
• Technology: Upgrading software enhances security, efficiency, and data management.
• Environmental Conservation: Sustainable manufacturing reduces environmental impact and conserves resources.
• Marketing: Social media campaigns increase brand visibility and engage customers.
• Urban Planning: Public transportation reduces traffic, emissions, and improves mobility.
• Legal System: Stricter penalties deter crime and maintain public safety.
• Psychology: Cognitive-behavioral therapy effectively treats anxiety by changing negative thoughts and behaviors.
• Architecture: Green building designs create energy-efficient, healthy structures.
• Social Work: Community outreach addresses social inequalities and supports marginalized groups.
• Economics: Fiscal policies boost spending, investment, and reduce unemployment during recessions.
• Food Industry: Nutritional labels help consumers make healthier choices.
• Engineering: Safety features in design protect users and comply with regulations.
• Human Resources: Flexible work arrangements improve work-life balance and job satisfaction.
• Tourism: Sustainable tourism preserves heritage and supports local economies.
• Education Policy: Inclusive education ensures equal access for all students.
• Finance: Diversifying investments reduces risk and optimizes returns.
• Public Health: Smoking bans reduce secondhand smoke exposure and prevent diseases.
• Transportation: Alternative transportation like bike lanes reduces congestion and promotes active lifestyles.
• International Relations: Diplomacy resolves conflicts peacefully and promotes global stability.
• Art and Design: User-centered design creates products that meet user needs and enhance satisfaction.
• Criminal Justice: Restorative justice repairs harm and promotes offender rehabilitation.
• Education Assessment: Formative assessments provide feedback and guide instruction.
• Environmental Policy: Protected areas conserve biodiversity and offer recreational opportunities.
• Management: Participative leadership empowers employees and fosters innovation.
• Agriculture: Sustainable farming preserves soil and minimizes chemical use.
• Health Promotion: Promoting healthy lifestyles prevents chronic diseases and reduces healthcare costs.
• Technology Integration: Technology in education enhances learning and prepares students for the future.
• Nonprofit Organizations: Fundraising supports the organization’s mission and services.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediation resolves conflicts by facilitating communication and mutual agreements.
• Architecture and Urban Planning: Mixed-use developments create vibrant, walkable communities.
• Public Policy: Social welfare programs address poverty and promote social justice.
• Supply Chain Management: Just-In-Time inventory reduces costs and improves efficiency.
• Environmental Conservation: Marine protected areas safeguard biodiversity and promote sustainable fisheries.
• Occupational Health and Safety: Workplace safety protocols prevent accidents and injuries.
• International Development: Foreign aid alleviates poverty and promotes economic growth.
• Public Administration: Decentralizing services improves efficiency and responsiveness.
• Crisis Management: Emergency plans ensure effective disaster responses.
• Community Development: Community infrastructure enhances quality of life and attracts investment.
• Educational Technology: Blended learning personalizes education and engages students.
• Cultural Preservation: Documenting indigenous traditions preserves cultural heritage.
• Supply Chain Sustainability: Sustainable sourcing ensures environmental and social responsibility.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Aid to refugees addresses urgent needs and upholds human dignity.
• Public Safety: Crime prevention strategies build trust and promote safer communities.
• Healthcare Policy: Expanding healthcare access improves health outcomes and reduces disparities.
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Philanthropy and sustainability enhance brand reputation and societal impact.
• Community Engagement: Involving community members promotes transparency and democratic governance.
• International Trade: Free trade agreements stimulate growth and cooperation.
• Urban Regeneration: Redevelopment projects revitalize blighted areas and stimulate investment.

Easy Rationale Examples

• Why do we use group projects in school?: To help students work together, learn from each other, and improve teamwork skills.
• Why do companies offer training programs to employees?: To improve their skills, make them more productive, and keep them happy at work.
• Why do doctors recommend regular check-ups?: To find health problems early and treat them before they get worse.
• Why do we update our computer software?: To keep it secure, make it work faster, and add new features.
• Why do we recycle?: To reduce waste, save resources, and protect the environment.

Types of Rationale

1. educational rationale.

An educational rationale explains the reasoning behind educational policies, curriculum choices, teaching methods, and learning activities. It provides justification for why certain content or instructional strategies are chosen, aiming to enhance student learning and achieve educational goals.

• Justifying the inclusion of a new subject in the curriculum.
• Explaining the use of project-based learning to develop critical thinking skills.

2. Scientific Rationale

A scientific rationale underpins research studies and experiments. It explains the reasoning behind selecting specific research questions, hypotheses, methodologies, and interpretations of results. It aims to provide a logical foundation for scientific inquiry and ensure the validity and reliability of findings.

• Justifying the choice of a particular research method for a study.
• Explaining why a specific variable is being measured.

3. Business Rationale

A business rationale supports business decisions, such as launching a new product, entering a new market, or implementing organizational changes. It outlines the logical reasoning and expected benefits behind these decisions, considering factors like market demand, competition, and financial projections.

• Justifying an investment in new technology.
• Explaining the rationale for restructuring a company.

4. Policy Rationale

A policy rationale provides the reasoning behind the creation or modification of policies, laws, or regulations. It explains the intended outcomes, benefits, and potential impacts of the policy, often addressing social, economic, or environmental considerations.

• Justifying a new healthcare policy aimed at increasing accessibility.
• Explaining the rationale for environmental regulations to reduce carbon emissions.

5. Ethical Rationale

An ethical rationale justifies decisions and actions based on ethical principles and values. It considers the moral implications and ensures that the choices align with ethical standards, often involving considerations of fairness, justice, and the greater good.

• Justifying the fair treatment of employees.
• Explaining the rationale behind corporate social responsibility initiatives.

6. Strategic Rationale

A strategic rationale explains the reasoning behind long-term planning and strategic decisions within organizations. It includes the analysis of internal and external factors, goals, and the anticipated benefits of strategic initiatives.

• Justifying the expansion into international markets.
• Explaining the rationale for a merger or acquisition.

7. Design Rationale

A design rationale provides the reasoning behind design choices in various fields, including architecture, software development, and product design. It explains why certain features, materials, or processes were selected to meet specific goals, user needs, and constraints.

• Justifying the user interface design of a software application.
• Explaining the choice of materials in a sustainable building project.

Rationale Synonyms and examples

• Reason: The reason for studying every day is to achieve better grades.
• Justification: The justification for the new policy is to improve workplace safety.
• Explanation: The explanation for his absence was a family emergency.
• Basis: The basis for the decision was thorough research and analysis.
• Grounds: The grounds for the lawsuit were breach of contract.
• Purpose: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the project timeline.
• Motive: The motive behind his actions was to help the community.
• Cause: The cause of the accident was slippery roads.
• Foundation: The foundation of the theory is extensive scientific research.
• Principle: The principle of fairness guided their decision-making process.
• Rationale: The rationale for the changes is to increase efficiency.
• Premise: The premise of the argument is that everyone deserves equal opportunities.
• Argument: The argument for renewable energy is based on its environmental benefits.
• Assertion: The assertion that exercise improves mental health is supported by research.
• Evidence: The evidence for climate change is overwhelming and clear.

Difference between Rational and Rationale

How do you write a rationale step by step

Writing a rationale involves explaining the reasons and purpose behind a particular decision, action, or project. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft an effective rationale:

Step 1: Identify the Purpose : Begin by clearly stating the purpose of the rationale. What is the main goal or objective you aim to achieve?

Step 2: Understand Your Audience: Consider who will be reading the rationale. Tailor your language and depth of explanation to the audience’s level of knowledge and interest in the subject.

Step 3: Provide Context: Give background information to help the reader understand the context. This includes relevant historical, social, or academic context that frames the rationale.

Step 4: State the Problem or Need: Clearly define the problem or need that your project, action, or decision addresses. Use specific examples or data to illustrate the need.

Step 5: Outline Your Solution or Plan: Describe your proposed solution or plan in detail. Explain how it will address the problem or need identified.

Step 6: Justify Your Approach: Provide reasons why your approach is the best course of action. Include evidence such as research findings, expert opinions, or successful case studies to support your rationale.

Step 7: Highlight the Benefits: Explain the benefits and positive outcomes expected from your approach. Highlight how it will impact the audience or stakeholders positively.

Step 8: Address Potential Challenges: Acknowledge any potential challenges or drawbacks of your approach and discuss how you plan to address them.

How do you write a rationale?

To write a rationale, start by clearly stating the purpose or decision. Then, provide detailed reasons and evidence supporting it. Conclude by summarizing the key points and emphasizing the benefits or expected outcomes.

Where is a rationale used?

Rationales are used in various fields, including education, business, healthcare, technology, environmental conservation, and many others.

Can a rationale change over time?

Yes, a rationale can change as new information, circumstances, or insights emerge. It’s important to review and update rationales to ensure they remain relevant and accurate.

How long should a rationale be?

The length of a rationale depends on the complexity of the topic and the requirements of the context.

What is the difference between a rationale and a justification?

A rationale provides the underlying reasons and logic behind a decision or action, while a justification focuses on defending or proving that the decision or action is right or necessary.

Can a rationale be used to explain past actions?

Yes, a rationale can be used to explain past actions by outlining the reasons and logic that were considered at the time of the decision.

How can a rationale help in decision-making?

A rationale helps in decision-making by providing a structured approach to evaluating options, considering the reasons and potential outcomes, and ensuring that the decision is well-thought-out and justifiable.

What role does a rationale play in academic writing?

In academic writing, a rationale is often included to justify the choice of research topic, methodology, and theoretical framework. It helps readers understand the significance and relevance of the research.

How does a rationale contribute to effective communication?

A rationale contributes to effective communication by clearly explaining the reasons behind decisions or actions.

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RATIONALE FOR LEARNING ENGLISH

The entire world has become a village with the advent of computer and internet. People go from one place to other place, frequently, for many purposes. This facilitates to know about the cultures of other countries. All the people are not privileged to enjoy this facility. A second language is necessary for this purpose. English is the tool through which we can learn many things that are existing in the world. There are many reasons for which the learners learn English as a second language. The various rationales for learning English are listed below.  Learn the culture of different countries by direct experience.  The nuances of other cultures that include festivals and family functions  Learning the fashion and the life style from the films of other countries  Knowledge about the working of the language.  Communicating with family members  Communicating with friends  Participating in exchanging cultural and sports events  Learning English facilitates to travel and study in other countries  Making it easier to communicate with other countries‟ people  Developing the skills of working with different cultures  New ideas and knowledge are got  The skills in our mother tongue is developed by contribution from English So, learning English as a second language can bring a great amount of benefit socially and personally. It paves way to enjoy different opportunities that can contribute individually and to the country. While learning English opens up opportunities for work and travel and it also ensures the personal finding of oneself. Learning the other cultures help us understand and appreciate our own culture. By all means, the rationale for learning English as a second language is to understand social, cultural, economic and………..

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Listen & Learn: The Origins of Fortune Cookies

• dessert: a sweet food that a person eats after a main meal
• immigrant: someone who moves to one country from another
• recipe: a list of ingredients that make a certain food
• internment camp: a prison that detains people because of their nationality or ethnicity
• out of business: closed, unable to provide services
• diner: someone who eats in a restaurant

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:46 — 2.4MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Comprehension questions.

See answers below

• Fortune cookies were likely invented by a. American immigrants to Japan b. Chinese immigrants to the US c. Japanese immigrants to the US
• Makoto Hagiwara was a. a candy maker b. a tea garden caretaker c. a religious leader
• During World War II, many American Japanese restaurants went out of business because a. it was becoming too expensive to keep the restaurants open b. Chinese restaurants were more popular with American diners c. the US government forced thousands of Japanese Americans into internment camps

Discussion/essay questions

• A belief in fortunes and lucky numbers is an example of a superstition. Superstitions are beliefs that certain actions or events will bring good or bad luck. Most cultures have their own superstitions. Do you believe in any superstitions? Do you know anyone who is very superstitious?

Fortune cookies are a popular dessert served in Chinese restaurants across North America. But they actually don’t come from China at all. Fortune cookies were likely invented by early Japanese immigrants to the US. The fortune cookie recipe is similar to a type of Japanese cracker called senbei . In the early 1900s, a man named Makoto Hagiwara worked as the caretaker of the Japanese Tea Garden in California. He had the idea to put “thank you” notes inside senbei crackers. During World War II, the US government forced over 100,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps. This put many Japanese restaurants out of business. However, Chinese cuisine was still popular in American cities. American diners liked to have dessert with meals, so Chinese restaurants served fortune cookies to make customers happy. Today’s fortune cookies usually contain a small note with a piece of advice and a set of lucky numbers.

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'She wanted to live a good life': Parents of Indian doctor raped and murdered on night shift

The rape and murder of a trainee doctor in India’s Kolkata city earlier this month has sparked massive outrage in the country, with tens of thousands of people protesting on the streets, demanding justice. BBC Hindi spoke to the doctor’s parents who remember their daughter as a clever, young woman who wanted to lead a good life and take care of her family.

All names and details of the family have been removed as Indian laws prohibit identifying a rape victim or her family.

"Please make sure dad takes his medicines on time. Don't worry about me."

This was the last thing the 31-year-old doctor said to her mother, hours before she was brutally assaulted in a hospital where she worked.

“The next day, we tried reaching her but the phone kept ringing," the mother told the BBC at their family home in a narrow alley, a few kilometres from Kolkata.

The same morning, the doctor’s partially-clothed body was discovered in the seminar hall, bearing extensive injuries. A hospital volunteer worker has been arrested in connection with the crime.

The incident has sparked massive outrage across the country, with protests in several major cities. At the weekend, doctors across hospitals in India observed a nation-wide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), with only emergency services available at major hospitals.

The family say they feel hollowed out by their loss.

“At the age of 62, all my dreams have been shattered," her father told the BBC.

Since their daughter's horrific murder, their house, located in a respectable neighbourhood, has become the focus of intense media scrutiny.

Behind a police barricade stand dozens of journalists and camera crew, hoping to capture the parents in case they step out.

A group of 10 to 15 police officers perpetually stand guard to ensure the cameras do not take photos of the victim's house.

The crime took place on the night of 9 August, when the woman, who was a junior doctor at the city's RG Kar Medical College, had gone to a seminar room to rest after a gruelling 36-hour shift.

Her parents remembered how the young doctor, their only child, was a passionate student who worked extremely hard to become a doctor.

“We come from a lower middle-class background and built everything on our own. When she was little, we struggled financially," said the father, who is a tailor.

The living room where he sat was cluttered with tools from his profession - a sewing machine, spools of thread and a heavy iron. There were scraps of fabrics scattered on the floor.

There were times when the family did not have money to even buy pomegranates, their daughter's favourite fruit, he continued.

"But she could never bring herself to ask for anything for herself."

“People would say, ‘You can’t make your daughter a doctor'. But my daughter proved everyone wrong and got admission in a government-run medical college," he added, breaking down. A relative tried to console him.

The mother recalled how her daughter would write in her diary every night before going to bed.

“She wrote that she wanted to win a gold medal for her medical degree. She wanted to lead a good life and take care of us too,” she said softly.

And she did.

The father, who is a high blood-pressure patient, said their daughter always made sure he took his medicines on time.

“Once I ran out of medicine and thought I’d just buy it the next day. But she found out, and even though it was around 10 or 11pm at night, she said no-one will eat until the medicine is here,” he said.

“That’s how she was - she never let me worry about anything."

Her mother listened intently, her hands repeatedly touching a gold bangle on her wrist - a bangle she had bought with her daughter.

The parents said their daughter’s marriage had almost been finalised. "But she would tell us not to worry and say she would continue to take care of all our expenses even after marriage," the father said.

As he spoke those words, the mother began to weep, her soft sobs echoing in the background.

Occasionally, her eyes would wander to the staircase, leading up to their daughter's room.

The door has remained shut since 10 August and the parents have not set foot there since the news of her death.

They say they still can't believe that something "so barbaric" could happen to their daughter at her workplace.

"The hospital should be a safe place," the father said.

Violence against women is a major issue in India - an average of 90 rapes a day were reported in 2022, according to government data.

The parents said their daughter’s death had brought back memories of a 2012 case when a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern was gang-raped on a moving bus in capital Delhi. Her injuries were fatal.

Following the assault - which made global headlines and led to weeks of protests - India tightened laws against sexual violence.

But reported cases of sexual assault have gone up and access to justice still remains a challenge for women.

Last week, thousands participated in a Reclaim the Night march held in Kolkata to demand safety for women across the country.

The doctor’s case has also put a spotlight on challenges faced by healthcare workers, who have demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the murder and a federal law to protect them - especially women - at work.

Federal Health Minister JP Nadda has assured doctors that he will bring in strict measures to ensure better safety in their professional environments.

But for the parents of the doctor, it's too little too late.

“We want the harshest punishment for the culprit," the father said.

“Our state, our country and the whole world is asking for justice for our daughter."

Raped Indian doctor's colleague speaks of trauma and pain

Protest at indian railway station over alleged abuse of girls, india gang rape victim's death sparks outrage, the rape victim’s mum fighting for india’s daughters, what do delhi rape hangings mean for women.

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GP Essay (Environment)

In times of economic difficulty, should a country still be concerned with environmental conservation?

The GP essay illustrated below is a sample version of what students who enrol for our JC General Paper Tuition Programme receive. Our tuition programmes are designed to be easily digestible for students of any calibre, read further to find out more.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

What is environmental conservation?

It is an umbrella term that defines anything we do to protect our planet and conserve its natural resources so that every living thing can have an improved quality of life.

Conservation works in two ways. It is meant to protect nature by protecting vital resources, and it is also a way of living that works against the irresponsible practices of businesses and large corporations. Green living takes away the power from those who have no interest in using their influence to promote the greater good of our world and choose to add to the problem instead. The more money we keep out of the pockets of big businesses that do not care for the environment, the more we can do for the planet.

Additional information on 2008 Global Financial Crisis

According to Bloomberg: the nation’s six largest banks – JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley borrowed almost half a trillion dollars from the Feds at peak periods.

Environment Quotations/ Green Politics Philosophy:

Conventional political thought has subscribed to a human-centred approach to understanding, often called anthropocentrism: a belief that moral priority has therefore been given to the achievement of human needs and ends, with nature being seen as a way of facilitating these needs and ends.

“It is our task in our time and in our generation to hand down undiminished to those who come after us, as was handed down to us by those who went before, the natural wealth and beauty which is ours.” – John F Kennedy’s speech dedicating the National Wildlife Federation Building in 1961.

In the words of the early liberal English Philosopher John Locke, human beings are ‘the masters and professors of nature’.

INTRODUCTION

The 2008 Global Financial Crisis saw the unprecedented bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Investment Bank and what ensued was Greece teetering at the edge of bankruptcy and needing a cash bailout from the International Monetary Fund and European Union. At that material point of time, politicians from G7 countries were single-mindedly focused on stemming another financial rout, preventing the equities/ stock market from another freefall and bringing the unemployment rate down. When an economic crisis happens, typically a stupendous sum of financial resources are deployed to stabilise the financial markets, rendering the government less concerned with environmental conservation. Detractors may opine that industrialisation and neglect of the environment are inevitable due to unfavourable economic circumstances. Howbeit, environmental degradation may inflict deleterious damages on the economy which runs contrary to the intended purpose of industrialisation. In addition, environmental conservation is key for economies that are environment-centric, for instance, tourism and the deteriorating environment poses a greater threat to our lives as compared to economic crises.

ANTITHESIS 1

When a financial crisis beleaguers a nation, environmental conservation must take a back seat as the way out of economic difficulty is more crucial.

ELABORATION:

A protracted (prolonged) recession means sluggish economic growth, over a long period of time, signalling systemic problems in the economic system, such as inefficiencies and a lack of competitiveness, which are themselves complex issues that require much resources and time to address. For many governments which operate with large deficits (US war in Afghanistan 2001 & Iraq 2004 + 2008 Subprime Crisis), the concerns of the government are immediate obstacles such as securing funding for bureaucratic machinery to continue operating. Furthermore, when persistently high unemployment goes untackled, it can potentially lead to violent crime and civil unrest.

Workers across Greece mounted coordinated protests in 2012, which reflected widespread unhappiness with high unemployment, slowing growth and worsening economic prospects in Europe. Unions in Greece joined in protests and work stoppages to show solidarity with striking workers. In response, the Greek government widely publicised the government agenda for the potential exploitation of air, land and water resources, through fast-track investment projects. However, the environmental effects of such intensive and invasive extraction projects may be nature-offensive despite legal requirements for environmental safeguards.

The existing lack of coordination across government agencies is also likely to increase under the crisis, due to the restructuring of the public sector and drastic personnel cuts. Under troika policies, the government has implemented sweeping legislative changes, budget reductions and the restructuring of environmental agencies. For example, core Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (ENGO) coalitions hold Parliament liable for easing the construction of buildings in protected areas, thus exposing protected areas and biodiversity, and annulling previous protective measures.

EVALUATION OF EXAMPLE:

Mining, gas and oil extraction projects, which feature high on the governmental agenda, are all known for their capacity to produce environmental threats. The expected environmental and health impacts of Greece’s exploitative public policy are vehemently decried by local communities; they are supported by members of the scientific community, but they may be the key to pulling Greece out of the economic crisis.

Hence, a government needs to compromise and abandon environmental conservation for the sake of the greater good.

SHORT-REBUTTAL:

Greece’s economy is in an extremely dire condition, an anomaly (Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected) case, whereby the various international monetary organisations (IMF & EU) have issued an ultimatum of sorts where Greece is backed against the wall and must use drastic measures to stay afloat. In most other countries, the exploitation of resources is not as bad as an idea that generates tax revenue.

Environmental degradation has the ability to kick start a chain of pernicious ramifications/ repercussions (negative consequences) that inflict damages on the tourism, retail and government sectors.

There is a high probability that widespread pollution would be a catalyst to a nationwide health crisis, disrupting the inflow of revenue from tourism. Not only can it aggravate a long term health condition, but it can also cause more people to contract respiratory-related illnesses. A country that has adequate public healthcare coverage would then have to bear the brunt of this health catastrophe. It will not be a problem for a wealthy country, but for a country facing economic difficulty? Are they able to sustain the people’s medical bills which could very well run into the millions? In addition, with such pollution, flights and tourists will be put off.

In September 2015, flights in the region were diverted as a result of the worsening haze that had blanketed parts of Southeast Asia. Garuda Indonesia has cancelled more than 400 flights to and from destinations in Sumatra and Kalimantan affected by thick haze from forest fires. Garuda scrapped 449 flights in the period from Sept 3 to 20 due to the limited visibility from the haze that blanketed the air in several cities in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The 2015 Haze episode caused by forest fires in Indonesia and exacerbated/aggravated by a severe El Nino effect cost Singapore an estimated $700 million of losses to retailers, hotels, tourism and the economy overall, according to research by Euston Quah, a professor and head of the economics division at Nanyang Technological University. Additionally, according to the Jokowi government, more than 136,000 Indonesians were reportedly suffering from respiratory infections.

When the forest fires in Indonesia occurred, the public healthcare system would have most likely bore the brunt of the medical costs. People employed in the tourism and retail sectors were likely to have been badly hit as well.

This causes the country to sink deeper into a financial black hole, thus environmental conservation should be prioritised as it precipitates and expedites the economic difficulties of a country.

For countries that are highly dependent on the environment for their economy, environmental conservation should indubitably/ arguably come first.

It is unequivocally (crystal) clear that countries whose economies are agriculture-centric have to focus on environmental conservation as the state of the environment is crucial to their agricultural yields. The economic consequences of climate change were highlighted by the Stern Review (2006), which pointed out that global warming could so disrupt economic and social activity that a failure to address it could mean global GDP being up to 20 percent lower than it otherwise might be.

In China, agriculture, meaning food security and safety, is a potent arm of the economy. Statistics suggest that agriculture provides more than 12 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product in China. However, rampant pollution is taking a toll on its economic growth. Acid rain is a costly by-product of China’s air pollution, which can cause crop damage and deforestation in addition to structural damage to buildings and harm to human health. Moreover, water pollution exacerbates water shortages. In many rural areas of China, agricultural lands received water so polluted that it was unfit for use, leading to a significant loss of grain production. Moreover coupled with the issue of soil pollution which not only threatens the food supply and safety, but also endangers public health, and damages the ecological system in some regions, pollution is unbridled.

As such, in lieu of (instead of) the high reliance on the agricultural component for the health of China’s economy, and the fact that ideal environmental conditions and high agricultural yield goes hand-in-hand, environmental conservation should be of utmost priority.

It is only possible to lift a country, reliant on agriculture, out of economic woes if one focuses on environmental conservation.

The neglect of environmental conservation poses an imminent threat to people’s lives.

Rising sea levels displace people from their homes, exacerbating the migration problem that Europe is presently experiencing from Syria. As global temperatures rise and the ice shelves start melting causing sea levels to rise, it is almost untenable for us to ‘refreeze’ these melted ice.

If current increases in sea levels persist, one-sixth of the land area of Bangladesh could be lost to the sea by the middle of this century, if not earlier, leaving 13 percent of the country’s population with nowhere to live or farm. The prospects for people living in low-lying island groups, such as the Maldives, may be even bleaker, as these may disappear altogether. Africa and the Arctic (where sea ice is shrinking by 2.7 percent per decade) are likely to bear the brunt of climate impacts along with low-lying small islands and the Asian river deltas.

Such environmental threats are a paramount concern, as opposed to economic difficulties. The issue of economic difficulty seems minuscule (so small) as to be insignificant when we take into consideration the total environmental, migration, social and medical costs from rising sea levels that displaces people from their homeland.

Climate change threatens the survival of so many small island states and the possibility of these climate-displaced people dying from it far outweighs any economic arguments championed by politicians, namely higher GDP growth and low unemployment rate.

In summary, whether or not a country should concern itself with environmental conservation is a matter of cost-benefit analysis. Ignoring environmental conservation when one’s livelihood depends on those resources would be a fatal error in judgement. A country must also consider the corresponding short and long-run costs in healthcare and whether putting environmental conservation on hold truly lifts the country out of a miry recession or depletes the country’s coffers. Finally, an economic crisis would be the least of our worries considering the dire physical threat to people’s health and shelter. Taking into account all of these, I would opine that people’s well-being is not for governments to gamble with, and basic provisions for environmental conservation should be made before a country pursues economic growth.

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