How To Write A SOAP Note ~ Revised

 Cover Letter: “How to Write a SOAP Note”

Dear Reader,

For this project, I chose to focus on the professional genre of SOAP notes—a foundational document type in physical therapy and other healthcare professions. SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan, and this structure is used to document clinical sessions, track patient progress, and communicate between providers. I chose this genre because as a kinesiology major with a physical therapy emphasis, I know firsthand how intimidating SOAP notes can feel when you're first introduced to them. I created a one-page cheat sheet titled “How to Write a SOAP Note” to serve as a practical and accessible tool for students entering clinical training.

My intended audience is undergraduate or graduate students studying physical therapy or related health fields, especially those just beginning clinical internships. These students are expected to document patient interactions quickly and accurately, often without much hands-on instruction. I wanted to make something that simplifies the format and gives clear, easy-to-follow tips. I presented the information as a visual quick-reference sheet because I know how valuable concise resources are in fast-paced healthcare environments. When you're evaluating patients or documenting between sessions, you don’t have time to read through entire manuals. A single page with definitions, examples, and reminders can make a real difference in reducing stress and increasing documentation accuracy.

To better understand the SOAP note genre, I consulted two secondary sources. The APSU University Writing Center’s “SOAP Note-Taking Method” guide explained the function of each section and emphasized the importance of clarity, conciseness, and structure (APSU, n.d.). This helped me design the layout of my cheat sheet and include reminders like “don’t interpret in the Objective section.” I also used the Purdue OWL’s Healthcare Writing guide, which emphasized tone, audience, and precision in multi-author environments (Purdue OWL, n.d.). These sources reminded me that SOAP notes are legal and clinical documents, not just personal reflections.

I also analyzed two sample SOAP notes as primary sources. One from Physio-Pedia offered a fully written PT example, showing the concise, objective phrasing used in each section. Another from SimplePractice gave a more guided breakdown of what each section should include and how to handle specific patient scenarios. From these, I learned the importance of writing factually in the Objective section, offering a clear clinical impression in the Assessment, and including actionable steps in the Plan. These rhetorical patterns directly influenced the cheat sheet I created.

Overall, my goal was to demystify this critical genre for new writers in the field. SOAP notes are required in nearly every patient interaction, yet few students feel prepared to write them well. By creating a visually accessible, evidence-informed cheat sheet, I hope to give students a tool that helps them build confidence, accuracy, and professional identity in their early clinical experiences.

Sincerely,
Peyton Phillips

References 

APSU University Writing Center. (n.d.). SOAP Note-Taking Method. https://www.apsu.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/SOAP-Note-Taking-Method-2024.pdf 

Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Writing in the Health Professions. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/healthcare_writing/index.html 

Physio-Pedia. (n.d.). SOAP Note Example. https://www.physio-pedia.com/File:SOAP_Note_Example.png 

SimplePractice. (n.d.). SOAP Note Examples. https://www.simplepractice.com/resource/soap-note-examples/