course reflection essay template

Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example

Course reflection: essay introduction.

The chosen course proved a positive experience for students due to the achievement of an appropriate study atmosphere and the establishment of beneficial student-teacher relationships. Attaining the study group’s confidence permitted instituting a functional feedback mechanism, which allowed those in attendance to demonstrate their grasp of the learned material and give recommendations on bettering the course based on personal experience. Consequently, Student Learning Outcomes were sufficiently achieved, leaving both learners and their lector satisfied with the pupils’ level of attained knowledge and competencies.

Despite the overall success of the course, there remain choice aspects of it that require additional work and improvement to receive even better results. Unpredictable external circumstances, such as weather conditions, resulted in the loss of class time and, therefore, leaving the last chapter uncovered. The acquirement procedure for the e-book access code was not perfected, with numerous pupils opting not to attain it, which made the use of the Marketing Lab troublesome. Additionally, revisiting the length of Exam 1 is necessary due to the difficulty that the majority of students experienced with its timely completion.

Resolving these issues, as well as other minor problems noted over the length of the course, requires addressing their origins. To make the Marketing Lab a more significant part of the learning process, more homework could be assigned from it, integrating questions from the textbook that were not covered in class. Additionally, this would effectively compel students to procure and use the e-book access code. The inclusion of more case studies in the course would also be a useful strategy, which may permit learners to achieve a more profound and hands-on understanding of course material.

Paying increased attention to the ongoing pupils’ assessment becomes crucial under these conditions, making journal entries a viable tactic when checking their comprehension of material after each chapter. Permitting students to include their possible questions in these entries would make working with learners easier through creating facilitated lines of communication. Therefore, considering all of these changes, revising the length of Exam 1 and re-assessing its weight in the overall course evaluation process becomes a necessary step. This change would contribute to the achievement of a balanced grading system that would adequately reflect the work done by students throughout their learning process.

The Effect of Professional Development on Education

The success of the course may be linked to the effort put into professional development, which permits perfecting the teaching process to achieve better learning outcomes. Attending Blackboard and Digital Measures training made gaining a mastery of teachers’ resources and integrating them to the best of their use possible within the classroom setting. Additionally, the ITCL Symposium helped achieve a better understanding of course material and how it could be taught, the presentation on product development having become part of the classroom lectures. The participation in coaching and symposiums, therefore, not only presented a chance for sufficient professional growth but also permitted apperceiving additional educational materials.

Implementing modern educational methods, which integrate the benefits of new technologies inside a traditional classroom setting, makes possible the attainment of previously unreachable goals through a combined teaching approach. In this aspect, Blackboard training may claim the most significant impact on the quality of provided schooling since it helped improve the continuity of the educational process through the demonstration of useful virtual teaching techniques.

The benefit of learning through Blackboard is evident due to the possibility of pacing the internet-based learning process, making the received training self-controlled, even if based around deadlines. During training, these aspects proved decisive as there was no need for extensive traveling, providing all the necessary information in one easily accessible place.

This advantage may be carried over successfully into the learning process, either providing the educator with an additional platform for student-teacher communication or presenting a chance for a changeover into entirely internet-based learning. For pupils, this transition could mean heightened educational autonomy when planning their time, which may be a crucial additional professional skill.

Evaluating Results and Setting Future Goals

Despite the positive impact of these provided chances for training, the brevity of the Faculty Annual Evaluation, which lasted one semester, poses significant issues to creating a continuous process of staff education. Additionally, the narrowness of the chosen courses’ topics, as well as their limitation to an in-house setting, poses a significant hindrance in achieving better professional results.

While a modernized approach to education, which focuses on the integration of technological advancements inside the classroom, may be beneficial to modern students’ understanding of the material, this attitude could be detrimental to traditional conceptions. However, as exercises and symposiums retain certain limitations, disputing the significant benefits that they provide to educators is not possible.

These current developments are a positive step towards achieving a better level of faculty performance, creating competent teachers that in turn can produce exceptional students. Advancing the already obtained results may be possible through continuing to provide employees with not only the possibility of professional growth but also presenting them with a broader variety of educational options and topics.

However, setting future goals for development based on the already achieved results becomes viable when considering the significant impact already imparted on the teaching staff. Therefore, setting goals for the coming year that pertain to expanding virtual education and developing online collaboration becomes appropriate and necessary for the continuation of staff growth. Taking additional steps to increase the provided variety of subjects, as well as the types of training offered, such as conferences and workshops, could present a chance to secure a steady reinforcement of teachers’ competencies. Since the already achieved results in educators’ training may be considered an accomplishment, this success should be supported and augmented.

Setting SMART Goals

It may be crucial to keep in mind that the process of education should equally benefit both students and teachers. To continue achieving excellent results and presenting pupils with the chance to learn from the best version of their educator it is necessary to keep giving adequate attention to self-improvement. Therefore, it becomes essential to outline specific SMART goals that are quantifiable and rely on accurate and measurable pre-determined goals that can be attained in a set time and may, therefore, be called realistic.

Predominantly, these SMART goals should be oriented towards developing professional competencies that may help teach management and marketing courses, as these subjects remain primarily taught courses. Attending two new specialized development courses, specifically tailored for those who teach marketing or management before the end of the next year could be a viable betterment option.

Another goal would be carrying out extra research on marketing tactics and management techniques before the start of the next semester and compiling the findings into ten cases for each course for students to solve. Personally forming these cases would permit creating not only a prerequisite for professional development through a study of modern practices but also provide learners with a unique and challenging educational experience.

Considering the assistance provided by technology, it may be necessary, as an educator, to continue integrating online resources into the education process. This aspiration makes mastering a new educational platform before the end of this semester essential objective, the success of which may be measured by the transfer of learning materials to the more modern program. Conducting at least two online examinations or assessments of pupils in the next semester is, therefore, an interdependent and reasonably achievable goal.

Additionally, it is necessary to integrate a virtual system of journal entries that would allow analyzing learners’ competencies as well as their acquired knowledge. Therefore, making journal entries a part of the next marketing and management courses could be an important SMART goal that may prove essential to stimulate students’ reflection regarding the courses’ goals. Incorporating modern technologies into the learning process should prove beneficial for learners who will seek employment in future job markets, which may have heightened expectations regarding the interdisciplinary skills of their staff.

These outlined short-term SMART goals are aimed at developing both professional and personal qualities in pupils and their educator alike. Consequently, the final goal should be related to receiving feedback from learners in both courses, which requires devising a communication from before the end of the current semester and making it accessible online. An omnipresent educational objective, therefore, is making sure that pupils feel confident and secure enough to communicate their possible grievances and suggestions.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, February 18). Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-learning-outcomes-course-reflection/

"Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example." IvyPanda , 18 Feb. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/student-learning-outcomes-course-reflection/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example'. 18 February.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example." February 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-learning-outcomes-course-reflection/.

1. IvyPanda . "Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example." February 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-learning-outcomes-course-reflection/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Student Learning Outcomes: Course Reflection Essay Example." February 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/student-learning-outcomes-course-reflection/.

• A Man for All Semesters
• Who Is Responsible for the College’s Semester Hike Fees in the USA?
• Time Management Among Essential Student Skills
• Nursing: Personal Expectations and Academic Experiences
• Smart Education: Business Plan
• Writing Skills and Knowledges
• Teaching Emotive Language
• English Composition Course Design
• Curriculum for Career Education
• Self-Reflection on Course Participation
• American Revolution and the Current Issues: Course
• Learning in Online Environment: Course Experience
• No Idling Educational Project in the UAE
• Leadership Skills Development Program for Students
• Cereal Killer Café Internship Program

How to Write a Reflective Essay: Easy Guide with Pro Tips

Defining What is a Reflective Essay: Purpose + Importance

Being present is a cornerstone of mindfulness and meditation. You must have often heard that staying in the moment helps you appreciate your surroundings, connects you with people and nature, and allows you to feel whatever emotions you must feel without anxiety. While this is helpful advice as you become more focused and avoid getting lost in thought, how can you truly appreciate the present without reflecting on your past experiences that have led you to the current moment?

We don't say that you should dwell on the past and get carried away with a constant thought process, but hey, hear us out - practice reflective thinking! Think back on your previous life events, paint a true picture of history, and make connections to your present self. This requires you to get a bit analytical and creative. So you might as well document your critical reflection on a piece of paper and give direction to your personal observations. That's when the need for reflective essays steps in!

In a reflective essay, you open up about your thoughts and emotions to uncover your mindset, personality, traits of character, and background. Your reflective essay should include a description of the experience/literature piece as well as explanations of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. In this article, our essay writer service will share our ultimate guide on how to write a reflective essay with a clear format and reflective essay examples that will inspire you.

How to Write a Reflective Essay with a Proper Reflective Essay Outline

To give you a clear idea of structuring a reflective essay template, we broke down the essential steps below. Primarily, the organization of a reflective essay is very similar to other types of papers. However, our custom writers got more specific with the reflective essay outline to ease your writing process.

Reflective Essay Introduction

When wondering how to start a reflective essay, it is no surprise that you should begin writing your paper with an introductory paragraph. So, what's new and different with the reflection essay introduction? Let's dissect:

• Open your intro with an attention-seizing hook that engages your audience into reflective thinking with you. It can be something like: 'As I was sitting on my bed with my notebook placed on my shaky lap waiting for the letter of acceptance, I could not help but reflect, was enrolling in college the path I wanted to take in the future?'
• Provide context with a quick overview of the reflective essay topic. Don't reveal too much information at the start to prevent your audience from becoming discouraged to continue reading.
• Make a claim with a strong reflective essay thesis statement. It should be a simple explanation of the essay's main point, in this example, a specific event that had a big impact on you.

Reflective Essay Body Paragraphs

The next step is to develop the body of your essay. This section of the paper may be the most challenging because it's simple to ramble and replicate yourself both in the outline and the actual writing. Planning the body properly requires a lot of time and work, and the following advice can assist you in doing this effectively:

• Consider using a sequential strategy. This entails reviewing everything you wish to discuss in the order it occurred. This method ensures that your work is structured and cohesive.
• Make sure the body paragraph is well-rounded and employs the right amount of analysis. The body should go into the effects of the event on your life and the insights you've gained as a consequence.
• Prioritize reflecting rather than summarizing your points. In addition to giving readers insight into your personal experience, a reflective stance will also show off your personality and demonstrate your ability to handle certain challenges.

Reflective Essay Conclusion

The goal of your reflective essay conclusion should be to tie everything together by summarizing the key ideas raised throughout, as well as the lessons you were able to take away from experience.

• Don't forget to include the reasons for and the methods used to improve your beliefs and actions. Think about how your personality and skills have changed as well.
• What conclusions can you draw about your behavior in particular circumstances? What could you do differently if the conditions were the same in the future?

Remember that your instructor will be searching for clear signs of reflection.

Understanding a Reflection Paper Format

The format of reflective essay greatly differs from an argumentative or research paper. A reflective essay is more of a well-structured story or a diary entry rife with insight and reflection. You might be required to arrange your essay using the APA style or the MLA format.

And the typical reflection paper length varies between 300 and 700 words, but ask your instructor about the word length if it was assigned to you. Even though this essay is about you, try to avoid too much informal language.

If your instructor asks you to use an APA or MLA style format for reflective essay, here are a few shortcuts:

Reflective Essay in MLA Format

• Times New Roman 12pt font double spaced;
• 1" margins;
• The top right includes the last name and page number on every page;
• Titles are centered;
• The header should include your name, your professor's name, course number, and the date (dd/mm/yy);
• The last page includes a Works Cited.

Reflective Essay in APA Style

• Include a page header on the top of every page;
• Insert page number on the right;
• Your reflective essay should be divided into four parts: Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.

Reflective Essay Writing Tips

You may think we've armed you with enough tips and pointers for reflective writing, but it doesn't stop here. Below we gathered some expert-approved tips for constructing uncontested reflection papers.

• Be as detailed as possible while writing. To make your reflective essay writing come to life, you should employ several tactics such as symbolism, sentence patterns, etc.
• Keep your audience in mind. The reader will become frustrated if you continue writing in the first person without taking a moment to convey something more important, even though you will likely speak about something from your own perspective.
• Put forth the effort to allow the reader to feel the situation or emotion you are attempting to explain.
• Don't preach; demonstrate. Instead of just reporting what happened, use description appropriately to paint a clear picture of the event or sensation.
• Plan the wording and structure of your reflective essay around a central emotion or subject, such as joy, pleasure, fear, or grief.
• Avoid adding dull elements that can lessen the effect of your work. Why include it if it won't enhance the emotion or understanding you wish to convey?
• There must be a constant sense of progression. Consider whether the event has transformed you or others around you.
• Remember to double-check your grammar, syntax, and spelling.

Ready to Shine a Light on Your Innermost Thoughts?

Order your reflection essays now and let a wider audience hear your unique story

Reflective Essay Topic Ideas

As a reflective essay should be about your own views and experiences, you generally can't use someone else's ideas. But to help you get started, here are some suggestions for writing topics:

• An experience you will never forget.
• The moment you overcame a fear.
• The most difficult choice you had to make.
• A time your beliefs were challenged.
• A time something changed your life.
• The happiest or most frightening moment of your life so far.
• Ways you think you or people can make the world a better place.
• A time you felt lost.
• An introspective look at your choices or a time you made the wrong choice.
• A moment in your life you would like to relive.

You may find it convenient to create a chart or table to keep track of your ideas. Split your chart into three parts:

• In the first column, write key experiences or your main points. You can arrange them from most important to least important.
• In the second column, list your response to the points you stated in the first column.
• In the third column, write what, from your response, you would like to share in the essay.

Meanwhile, if you're about to enroll in your dream university and your mind is constantly occupied with - 'how to write my college admissions essay?', order an academic essay on our platform to free you of unnecessary anxiety.

Reflective Essay Sample

Referring to reflective essay examples can help you a lot. A reflective essay sample can provide you with useful insight into how your essay should look like. You can also buy an essay online if you need one customized to your specific requirements.

How to Conclude a Reflective Essay

As we come to an end, it's only logical to reflect on the main points discussed above in the article. By now, you should clearly understand what is a reflective essay and that the key to writing a reflective essay is demonstrating what lessons you have taken away from your experiences and why and how these lessons have shaped you. It should also have a clear reflective essay format, with an opening, development of ideas, and resolution.

Now that you have the tools to create a thorough and accurate reflective paper, you might want to hand over other tasks like writing definition essay examples to our experienced writers. In this case, feel free to buy an essay online on our platform and reflect on your past events without worrying about future assignments!

Want to Easily Impress Your Professors?

Count on the support of our professional writers for a top-notch academic paper

Related Articles

• Peterborough

How to Write a Reflection Paper

Why reflective writing, experiential reflection, reading reflection.

• A note on mechanics

Reflection offers you the opportunity to consider how your personal experiences and observations shape your thinking and your acceptance of new ideas.  Professors often ask students to write reading reflections.  They do this to encourage you to explore your own ideas about a text, to express your opinion rather than summarize the opinions of others.  Reflective writing can help you to improve your analytical skills because it requires you to express what you think, and more significantly, how and why you think that way.  In addition, reflective analysis asks you to acknowledge that your thoughts are shaped by your assumptions and preconceived ideas; in doing so, you can appreciate the ideas of others, notice how their assumptions and preconceived ideas may have shaped their thoughts, and perhaps recognize how your ideas support or oppose what you read.

Types of Reflective Writing

Popular in professional programs, like business, nursing, social work, forensics and education, reflection is an important part of making connections between theory and practice.  When you are asked to reflect upon experience in a placement, you do not only describe your experience, but you evaluate it based on ideas from class.  You can assess a theory or approach based on your observations and practice and evaluate your own knowledge and skills within your professional field.   This opportunity to take the time to think about your choices, your actions, your successes and your failures is best done within a specific framework, like course themes or work placement objectives.  Abstract concepts can become concrete and real to you when considered within your own experiences, and reflection on your experiences allows you to make plans for improvement.

To encourage thoughtful and balanced assessment of readings, many interdisciplinary courses may ask you to submit a reading reflection.  Often instructors will indicate to students what they expect of a reflection, but the general purpose is to elicit your informed opinions about ideas presented in the text and to consider how they affect your interpretation.   Reading reflections offer an opportunity to recognize – and perhaps break down – your assumptions which may be challenged by the text(s). 

Approaches to Reflective Inquiry

You may wonder how your professors assess your reflective writing.  What are they looking for? How can my experiences or ideas be right or wrong?  Your instructors expect you to critically engage with concepts from your course by making connections between your observations, experiences, and opinions.   They expect you to explain and analyse these concepts from your own point of view, eliciting original ideas and encouraging active interest in the course material.

It can be difficult to know where to begin when writing a critical reflection.  First, know that – like any other academic piece of writing – a reflection requires a narrow focus and strong analysis.  The best approach for identifying a focus and for reflective analysis is interrogation.   The following offers suggestions for your line of inquiry when developing a reflective response.

It is best to discuss your experiences in a work placement or practicum within the context of personal or organizational goals; doing so provides important insights and perspective for your own growth in the profession. For reflective writing, it is important to balance reporting or descriptive writing with critical reflection and analysis.

Consider these questions:

• Contextualize your reflection:  What are your learning goals? What are the objectives of the organization?  How do these goals fit with the themes or concepts from the course?
• Provide important information: What is the name of the host organization? What is their mission? Who do they serve? What was your role? What did you do?
• Analytical Reflection: What did you learn from this experience? About yourself? About working in the field? About society?
• Lessons from reflection: Did your experience fit with the goals or concepts of the course or organization?  Why or why not? What are your lessons for the future? What was successful? Why? What would you do differently? Why? How will you prepare for a future experience in the field?

Consider the purpose of reflection: to demonstrate your learning in the course.  It is important to actively and directly connect concepts from class to your personal or experiential reflection.  The following example shows how a student’s observations from a classroom can be analysed using a theoretical concept and how the experience can help a student to evaluate this concept.

For Example My observations from the classroom demonstrate that the hierarchical structure of Bloom’s Taxonomy is problematic, a concept also explored by Paul (1993).  The students often combined activities like application and synthesis or analysis and evaluation to build their knowledge and comprehension of unfamiliar concepts.  This challenges my understanding of traditional teaching methods where knowledge is the basis for inquiry.  Perhaps higher-order learning strategies like inquiry and evaluation can also be the basis for knowledge and comprehension, which are classified as lower-order skills in Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Critical reflection requires thoughtful and persistent inquiry.  Although basic questions like “what is the thesis?” and “what is the evidence?” are important to demonstrate your understanding, you need to interrogate your own assumptions and knowledge to deepen your analysis and focus your assessment of the text.

Assess the text(s):

• What is the main point? How is it developed? Identify the purpose, impact and/or theoretical framework of the text.
• What ideas stood out to me? Why? Were they new or in opposition to existing scholarship?

Develop your ideas:

• What do I know about this topic? Where does my existing knowledge come from? What are the observations or experiences that shape my understanding?
• Do I agree or disagree with this argument?  Why?

Make connections:

• How does this text reinforce my existing ideas or assumptions? How does this text challenge my existing ideas or assumptions?
• How does this text help me to better understand this topic or explore this field of study/discipline?

A Note on Mechanics

As with all written assignments or reports, it is important to have a clear focus for your writing.  You do not need to discuss every experience or element of your placement.  Pick a few that you can explore within the context of your learning.  For reflective responses, identify the main arguments or important elements of the text to develop a stronger analysis which integrates relevant ideas from course materials.

Furthermore, your writing must be organized.  Introduce your topic and the point you plan to make about your experience and learning.  Develop your point through body paragraph(s), and conclude your paper by exploring the meaning you derive from your reflection. You may find the questions listed above can help you to develop an outline before you write your paper.

You should maintain a formal tone, but it is acceptable to write in the first person and to use personal pronouns.  Note, however, that it is important that you maintain confidentiality and anonymity of clients, patients or students from work or volunteer placements by using pseudonyms and masking identifying factors. 

The value of reflection: Critical reflection is a meaningful exercise which can require as much time and work as traditional essays and reports because it asks students to be purposeful and engaged participants, readers, and thinkers.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write a Reflection Paper

Last Updated: March 27, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,803,006 times.

Reflection papers allow you to communicate with your instructor about how a specific article, lesson, lecture, or experience shapes your understanding of class-related material. Reflection papers are personal and subjective [1] X Research source , but they must still maintain a somewhat academic tone and must still be thoroughly and cohesively organized. Here's what you need to know about writing an effective reflection.

Things You Should Know

• Write an introduction that outlines the expectations you had and provide a thesis statement in the last sentence.
• State your conclusions in the body paragraphs of the paper. Explain how you arrived at your conclusions using logic and concrete details.
• Conclude the paper with a concise summary of your overall experience.

Sample Outline and Paper

Brainstorming

• These sentences should be both descriptive yet straight to the point.

• For lectures or readings, you can write down specific quotations or summarize passages.
• For experiences, make a note of specific portions of your experience. You could even write a small summary or story of an event that happened during the experience that stands out. Images, sounds, or other sensory portions of your experience work, as well.

• In the first column, list the main points or key experiences. These points can include anything that the author or speaker treated with importance as well as any specific details you found to be important. Divide each point into its own separate row.
• In the second column, list your personal response to the points you brought up in the first column. Mention how your subjective values, experiences, and beliefs influence your response.
• In the third and last column, describe how much of your personal response to share in your reflection paper.

• Does the reading, lecture, or experience challenge you socially, culturally, emotionally, or theologically? If so, where and how? Why does it bother you or catch your attention?
• Has the reading, lecture, or experience changed your way of thinking? Did it conflict with beliefs you held previously, and what evidence did it provide you with in order to change your thought process on the topic?
• Does the reading, lecture, or experience leave you with any questions? Were these questions ones you had previously or ones you developed only after finishing?
• Did the author, speaker, or those involved in the experience fail to address any important issues? Could a certain fact or idea have dramatically changed the impact or conclusion of the reading, lecture, or experience?
• How do the issues or ideas brought up in this reading, lecture, or experience mesh with past experiences or readings? Do the ideas contradict or support each other?

Organizing a Reflection Paper

• Verify whether or not your instructor specified a word count for the paper instead of merely following this average.
• If your instructor demands a word count outside of this range, meet your instructor's requirements.

• For a reading or lecture, indicate what you expected based on the title, abstract, or introduction.
• For an experience, indicate what you expected based on prior knowledge provided by similar experiences or information from others.

• This is essentially a brief explanation of whether or not your expectations were met.
• A thesis provides focus and cohesion for your reflection paper.
• You could structure a reflection thesis along the following lines: “From this reading/experience, I learned...”

• Your conclusions must be explained. You should provide details on how you arrived at those conclusions using logic and concrete details.
• The focus of the paper is not a summary of the text, but you still need to draw concrete, specific details from the text or experience in order to provide context for your conclusions.
• Write a separate paragraph for each conclusion or idea you developed.
• Each paragraph should have its own topic sentence. This topic sentence should clearly identify your major points, conclusions, or understandings.

• The conclusions or understandings explained in your body paragraphs should support your overall conclusion. One or two may conflict, but the majority should support your final conclusion.

As You Write

• If you feel uncomfortable about a personal issue that affects the conclusions you reached, it is wisest not to include personal details about it.
• If a certain issue is unavoidable but you feel uncomfortable revealing your personal experiences or feelings regarding it, write about the issue in more general terms. Identify the issue itself and indicate concerns you have professionally or academically.

• Avoid dragging someone else down in your writing. If a particular person made the experience you are reflecting on difficult, unpleasant, or uncomfortable, you must still maintain a level of detachment as you describe that person's influence. Instead of stating something like, “Bob was such a rude jerk,” say something more along the lines of, “One man was abrupt and spoke harshly, making me feel as though I was not welcome there.” Describe the actions, not the person, and frame those actions within the context of how they influenced your conclusions.
• A reflection paper is one of the few pieces of academic writing in which you can get away with using the first person pronoun “I.” That said, you should still relate your subjective feelings and opinions using specific evidence to explain them. [8] X Research source
• Avoid slang and always use correct spelling and grammar. Internet abbreviations like “LOL” or “OMG” are fine to use personally among friends and family, but this is still an academic paper, so you need to treat it with the grammatical respect it deserves. Do not treat it as a personal journal entry.
• Check and double-check your spelling and grammar after you finish your paper.

• Keep your sentences focused. Avoid squeezing multiple ideas into one sentence.
• Avoid sentence fragments. Make sure that each sentence has a subject and a verb.
• Vary your sentence length. Include both simple sentences with a single subject and verb and complex sentences with multiple clauses. Doing so makes your paper sound more conversational and natural, and prevents the writing from becoming too wooden. [9] X Research source

• Common transitional phrases include "for example," "for instance," "as a result," "an opposite view is," and "a different perspective is."

• For instance, if reflecting on a piece of literary criticism, you could mention how your beliefs and ideas about the literary theory addressed in the article relate to what your instructor taught you about it or how it applies to prose and poetry read in class.
• As another example, if reflecting on a new social experience for a sociology class, you could relate that experience to specific ideas or social patterns discussed in class.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.csuohio.edu/writing-center/reflection-papers
• ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments/reflectionpaper
• ↑ Alicia Cook. Professional Writer. Expert Interview. 11 December 2020.
• ↑ https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-write-university/how-approach-any-assignment/how-write-reflection-paper
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/reflective-writing/reflective-essays
• ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/sentencestructure

About This Article

To write a reflection paper, start with an introduction where you state any expectations you had for the reading, lesson, or experience you're reflecting on. At the end of your intro, include a thesis statement that explains how your views have changed. In the body of your essay, explain the conclusions you reached after the reading, lesson, or experience and discuss how you arrived at them. Finally, finish your paper with a succinct conclusion that explains what you've learned. To learn how to brainstorm for your paper, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Stella Cheboi

Jul 22, 2016

Did this article help you?

Luz Gisela Perez

Nov 19, 2017

Apr 27, 2016

Debra Cust Bramble

Mar 20, 2016

Courtney Fulmer

May 22, 2020

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

Reflective writing is a process of identifying, questioning, and critically evaluating course-based learning opportunities, integrated with your own observations, experiences, impressions, beliefs, assumptions, or biases, and which describes how this process stimulated new or creative understanding about the content of the course.

A reflective paper describes and explains in an introspective, first person narrative, your reactions and feelings about either a specific element of the class [e.g., a required reading; a film shown in class] or more generally how you experienced learning throughout the course. Reflective writing assignments can be in the form of a single paper, essays, portfolios, journals, diaries, or blogs. In some cases, your professor may include a reflective writing assignment as a way to obtain student feedback that helps improve the course, either in the moment or for when the class is taught again.

How to Write a Reflection Paper . Academic Skills, Trent University; Writing a Reflection Paper . Writing Center, Lewis University; Critical Reflection . Writing and Communication Centre, University of Waterloo; Tsingos-Lucas et al. "Using Reflective Writing as a Predictor of Academic Success in Different Assessment Formats." American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 81 (2017): Article 8.

Benefits of Reflective Writing Assignments

As the term implies, a reflective paper involves looking inward at oneself in contemplating and bringing meaning to the relationship between course content and the acquisition of new knowledge . Educational research [Bolton, 2010; Ryan, 2011; Tsingos-Lucas et al., 2017] demonstrates that assigning reflective writing tasks enhances learning because it challenges students to confront their own assumptions, biases, and belief systems around what is being taught in class and, in so doing, stimulate student’s decisions, actions, attitudes, and understanding about themselves as learners and in relation to having mastery over their learning. Reflection assignments are also an opportunity to write in a first person narrative about elements of the course, such as the required readings, separate from the exegetic and analytical prose of academic research papers.

Reflection writing often serves multiple purposes simultaneously. In no particular order, here are some of reasons why professors assign reflection papers:

• Enhances learning from previous knowledge and experience in order to improve future decision-making and reasoning in practice . Reflective writing in the applied social sciences enhances decision-making skills and academic performance in ways that can inform professional practice. The act of reflective writing creates self-awareness and understanding of others. This is particularly important in clinical and service-oriented professional settings.
• Allows students to make sense of classroom content and overall learning experiences in relation to oneself, others, and the conditions that shaped the content and classroom experiences . Reflective writing places you within the course content in ways that can deepen your understanding of the material. Because reflective thinking can help reveal hidden biases, it can help you critically interrogate moments when you do not like or agree with discussions, readings, or other aspects of the course.
• Increases awareness of one’s cognitive abilities and the evidence for these attributes . Reflective writing can break down personal doubts about yourself as a learner and highlight specific abilities that may have been hidden or suppressed due to prior assumptions about the strength of your academic abilities [e.g., reading comprehension; problem-solving skills]. Reflective writing, therefore, can have a positive affective [i.e., emotional] impact on your sense of self-worth.
• Applying theoretical knowledge and frameworks to real experiences . Reflective writing can help build a bridge of relevancy between theoretical knowledge and the real world. In so doing, this form of writing can lead to a better understanding of underlying theories and their analytical properties applied to professional practice.
• Reveals shortcomings that the reader will identify . Evidence suggests that reflective writing can uncover your own shortcomings as a learner, thereby, creating opportunities to anticipate the responses of your professor may have about the quality of your coursework. This can be particularly productive if the reflective paper is written before final submission of an assignment.
• Helps students identify their tacit [a.k.a., implicit] knowledge and possible gaps in that knowledge . Tacit knowledge refers to ways of knowing rooted in lived experience, insight, and intuition rather than formal, codified, categorical, or explicit knowledge. In so doing, reflective writing can stimulate students to question their beliefs about a research problem or an element of the course content beyond positivist modes of understanding and representation.
• Encourages students to actively monitor their learning processes over a period of time . On-going reflective writing in journals or blogs, for example, can help you maintain or adapt learning strategies in other contexts. The regular, purposeful act of reflection can facilitate continuous deep thinking about the course content as it evolves and changes throughout the term. This, in turn, can increase your overall confidence as a learner.
• Relates a student’s personal experience to a wider perspective . Reflection papers can help you see the big picture associated with the content of a course by forcing you to think about the connections between scholarly content and your lived experiences outside of school. It can provide a macro-level understanding of one’s own experiences in relation to the specifics of what is being taught.
• If reflective writing is shared, students can exchange stories about their learning experiences, thereby, creating an opportunity to reevaluate their original assumptions or perspectives . In most cases, reflective writing is only viewed by your professor in order to ensure candid feedback from students. However, occasionally, reflective writing is shared and openly discussed in class. During these discussions, new or different perspectives and alternative approaches to solving problems can be generated that would otherwise be hidden. Sharing student's reflections can also reveal collective patterns of thought and emotions about a particular element of the course.

Bolton, Gillie. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development . London: Sage, 2010; Chang, Bo. "Reflection in Learning." Online Learning 23 (2019), 95-110; Cavilla, Derek. "The Effects of Student Reflection on Academic Performance and Motivation." Sage Open 7 (July-September 2017): 1–13; Culbert, Patrick. “Better Teaching? You Can Write On It “ Liberal Education (February 2022); McCabe, Gavin and Tobias Thejll-Madsen. The Reflection Toolkit . University of Edinburgh; The Purpose of Reflection . Introductory Composition at Purdue University; Practice-based and Reflective Learning . Study Advice Study Guides, University of Reading; Ryan, Mary. "Improving Reflective Writing in Higher Education: A Social Semiotic Perspective." Teaching in Higher Education 16 (2011): 99-111; Tsingos-Lucas et al. "Using Reflective Writing as a Predictor of Academic Success in Different Assessment Formats." American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 81 (2017): Article 8; What Benefits Might Reflective Writing Have for My Students? Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse; Rykkje, Linda. "The Tacit Care Knowledge in Reflective Writing: A Practical Wisdom." International Practice Development Journal 7 (September 2017): Article 5; Using Reflective Writing to Deepen Student Learning . Center for Writing, University of Minnesota.

How to Approach Writing a Reflection Paper

Thinking About Reflective Thinking

Educational theorists have developed numerous models of reflective thinking that your professor may use to frame a reflective writing assignment. These models can help you systematically interpret your learning experiences, thereby ensuring that you ask the right questions and have a clear understanding of what should be covered. A model can also represent the overall structure of a reflective paper. Each model establishes a different approach to reflection and will require you to think about your writing differently. If you are unclear how to fit your writing within a particular reflective model, seek clarification from your professor. There are generally two types of reflective writing assignments, each approached in slightly different ways.

1.  Reflective Thinking about Course Readings

This type of reflective writing focuses on thoughtfully thinking about the course readings that underpin how most students acquire new knowledge and understanding about the subject of a course. Reflecting on course readings is often assigned in freshmen-level, interdisciplinary courses where the required readings examine topics viewed from multiple perspectives and, as such, provide different ways of analyzing a topic, issue, event, or phenomenon. The purpose of reflective thinking about course readings in the social and behavioral sciences is to elicit your opinions, beliefs, and feelings about the research and its significance. This type of writing can provide an opportunity to break down key assumptions you may have and, in so doing, reveal potential biases in how you interpret the scholarship.

If you are assigned to reflect on course readings, consider the following methods of analysis as prompts that can help you get started :

• Examine carefully the main introductory elements of the reading, including the purpose of the study, the theoretical framework being used to test assumptions, and the research questions being addressed. Think about what ideas stood out to you. Why did they? Were these ideas new to you or familiar in some way based on your own lived experiences or prior knowledge?
• Develop your ideas around the readings by asking yourself, what do I know about this topic? Where does my existing knowledge about this topic come from? What are the observations or experiences in my life that influence my understanding of the topic? Do I agree or disagree with the main arguments, recommended course of actions, or conclusions made by the author(s)? Why do I feel this way and what is the basis of these feelings?
• Make connections between the text and your own beliefs, opinions, or feelings by considering questions like, how do the readings reinforce my existing ideas or assumptions? How the readings challenge these ideas or assumptions? How does this text help me to better understand this topic or research in ways that motivate me to learn more about this area of study?

2.  Reflective Thinking about Course Experiences

This type of reflective writing asks you to critically reflect on locating yourself at the conceptual intersection of theory and practice. The purpose of experiential reflection is to evaluate theories or disciplinary-based analytical models based on your introspective assessment of the relationship between hypothetical thinking and practical reality; it offers a way to consider how your own knowledge and skills fit within professional practice. This type of writing also provides an opportunity to evaluate your decisions and actions, as well as how you managed your subsequent successes and failures, within a specific theoretical framework. As a result, abstract concepts can crystallize and become more relevant to you when considered within your own experiences. This can help you formulate plans for self-improvement as you learn.

If you are assigned to reflect on your experiences, consider the following questions as prompts to help you get started :

• Contextualize your reflection in relation to the overarching purpose of the course by asking yourself, what did you hope to learn from this course? What were the learning objectives for the course and how did I fit within each of them? How did these goals relate to the main themes or concepts of the course?
• Analyze how you experienced the course by asking yourself, what did I learn from this experience? What did I learn about myself? About working in this area of research and study? About how the course relates to my place in society? What assumptions about the course were supported or refuted?
• Think introspectively about the ways you experienced learning during the course by asking yourself, did your learning experiences align with the goals or concepts of the course? Why or why do you not feel this way? What was successful and why do you believe this? What would you do differently and why is this important? How will you prepare for a future experience in this area of study?

NOTE: If you are assigned to write a journal or other type of on-going reflection exercise, a helpful approach is to reflect on your reflections by re-reading what you have already written. In other words, review your previous entries as a way to contextualize your feelings, opinions, or beliefs regarding your overall learning experiences. Over time, this can also help reveal hidden patterns or themes related to how you processed your learning experiences. Consider concluding your reflective journal with a summary of how you felt about your learning experiences at critical junctures throughout the course, then use these to write about how you grew as a student learner and how the act of reflecting helped you gain new understanding about the subject of the course and its content.

ANOTHER NOTE: Regardless of whether you write a reflection paper or a journal, do not focus your writing on the past. The act of reflection is intended to think introspectively about previous learning experiences. However, reflective thinking should document the ways in which you progressed in obtaining new insights and understandings about your growth as a learner that can be carried forward in subsequent coursework or in future professional practice. Your writing should reflect a furtherance of increasing personal autonomy and confidence gained from understanding more about yourself as a learner.

Structure and Writing Style

There are no strict academic rules for writing a reflective paper. Reflective writing may be assigned in any class taught in the social and behavioral sciences and, therefore, requirements for the assignment can vary depending on disciplinary-based models of inquiry and learning. The organization of content can also depend on what your professor wants you to write about or based on the type of reflective model used to frame the writing assignment. Despite these possible variations, below is a basic approach to organizing and writing a good reflective paper, followed by a list of problems to avoid.

Pre-flection

In most cases, it's helpful to begin by thinking about your learning experiences and outline what you want to focus on before you begin to write the paper. This can help you organize your thoughts around what was most important to you and what experiences [good or bad] had the most impact on your learning. As described by the University of Waterloo Writing and Communication Centre, preparing to write a reflective paper involves a process of self-analysis that can help organize your thoughts around significant moments of in-class knowledge discovery.

• Using a thesis statement as a guide, note what experiences or course content stood out to you , then place these within the context of your observations, reactions, feelings, and opinions. This will help you develop a rough outline of key moments during the course that reflect your growth as a learner. To identify these moments, pose these questions to yourself: What happened? What was my reaction? What were my expectations and how were they different from what transpired? What did I learn?
• Critically think about your learning experiences and the course content . This will help you develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding about why these moments were significant or relevant to you. Use the ideas you formulated during the first stage of reflecting to help you think through these moments from both an academic and personal perspective. From an academic perspective, contemplate how the experience enhanced your understanding of a concept, theory, or skill. Ask yourself, did the experience confirm my previous understanding or challenge it in some way. As a result, did this highlight strengths or gaps in your current knowledge? From a personal perspective, think introspectively about why these experiences mattered, if previous expectations or assumptions were confirmed or refuted, and if this surprised, confused, or unnerved you in some way.
• Analyze how these experiences and your reactions to them will shape your future thinking and behavior . Reflection implies looking back, but the most important act of reflective writing is considering how beliefs, assumptions, opinions, and feelings were transformed in ways that better prepare you as a learner in the future. Note how this reflective analysis can lead to actions you will take as a result of your experiences, what you will do differently, and how you will apply what you learned in other courses or in professional practice.

Basic Structure and Writing Style

Reflective Background and Context

The first part of your reflection paper should briefly provide background and context in relation to the content or experiences that stood out to you. Highlight the settings, summarize the key readings, or narrate the experiences in relation to the course objectives. Provide background that sets the stage for your reflection. You do not need to go into great detail, but you should provide enough information for the reader to understand what sources of learning you are writing about [e.g., course readings, field experience, guest lecture, class discussions] and why they were important. This section should end with an explanatory thesis statement that expresses the central ideas of your paper and what you want the readers to know, believe, or understand after they finish reading your paper.

Reflective Interpretation

Drawing from your reflective analysis, this is where you can be personal, critical, and creative in expressing how you felt about the course content and learning experiences and how they influenced or altered your feelings, beliefs, assumptions, or biases about the subject of the course. This section is also where you explore the meaning of these experiences in the context of the course and how you gained an awareness of the connections between these moments and your own prior knowledge.

Guided by your thesis statement, a helpful approach is to interpret your learning throughout the course with a series of specific examples drawn from the course content and your learning experiences. These examples should be arranged in sequential order that illustrate your growth as a learner. Reflecting on each example can be done by: 1)  introducing a theme or moment that was meaningful to you, 2) describing your previous position about the learning moment and what you thought about it, 3) explaining how your perspective was challenged and/or changed and why, and 4) introspectively stating your current or new feelings, opinions, or beliefs about that experience in class.

It is important to include specific examples drawn from the course and placed within the context of your assumptions, thoughts, opinions, and feelings. A reflective narrative without specific examples does not provide an effective way for the reader to understand the relationship between the course content and how you grew as a learner.

Reflective Conclusions

The conclusion of your reflective paper should provide a summary of your thoughts, feelings, or opinions regarding what you learned about yourself as a result of taking the course. Here are several ways you can frame your conclusions based on the examples you interpreted and reflected on what they meant to you. Each example would need to be tied to the basic theme [thesis statement] of your reflective background section.

• Your reflective conclusions can be described in relation to any expectations you had before taking the class [e.g., “I expected the readings to not be relevant to my own experiences growing up in a rural community, but the research actually helped me see that the challenges of developing my identity as a child of immigrants was not that unusual...”].
• Your reflective conclusions can explain how what you learned about yourself will change your actions in the future [e.g., “During a discussion in class about the challenges of helping homeless people, I realized that many of these people hate living on the street but lack the ability to see a way out. This made me realize that I wanted to take more classes in psychology...”].
• Your reflective conclusions can describe major insights you experienced a critical junctures during the course and how these moments enhanced how you see yourself as a student learner [e.g., "The guest speaker from the Head Start program made me realize why I wanted to pursue a career in elementary education..."].
• Your reflective conclusions can reconfigure or reframe how you will approach professional practice and your understanding of your future career aspirations [e.g.,, "The course changed my perceptions about seeking a career in business finance because it made me realize I want to be more engaged in customer service..."]
• Your reflective conclusions can explore any learning you derived from the act of reflecting itself [e.g., “Reflecting on the course readings that described how minority students perceive campus activities helped me identify my own biases about the benefits of those activities in acclimating to campus life...”].

NOTE: The length of a reflective paper in the social sciences is usually less than a traditional research paper. However, don’t assume that writing a reflective paper is easier than writing a research paper. A well-conceived critical reflection paper often requires as much time and effort as a research paper because you must purposeful engage in thinking about your learning in ways that you may not be comfortable with or used to. This is particular true while preparing to write because reflective papers are not as structured as a traditional research paper and, therefore, you have to think deliberately about how you want to organize the paper and what elements of the course you want to reflect upon.

ANOTHER NOTE: Do not limit yourself to using only text in reflecting on your learning. If you believe it would be helpful, consider using creative modes of thought or expression such as, illustrations, photographs, or material objects that reflects an experience related to the subject of the course that was important to you [e.g., like a ticket stub to a renowned speaker on campus]. Whatever non-textual element you include, be sure to describe the object's relevance to your personal relationship to the course content.

Problems to Avoid

A reflective paper is not a “mind dump” . Reflective papers document your personal and emotional experiences and, therefore, they do not conform to rigid structures, or schema, to organize information. However, the paper should not be a disjointed, stream-of-consciousness narrative. Reflective papers are still academic pieces of writing that require organized thought, that use academic language and tone , and that apply intellectually-driven critical thinking to the course content and your learning experiences and their significance.

A reflective paper is not a research paper . If you are asked to reflect on a course reading, the reflection will obviously include some description of the research. However, the goal of reflective writing is not to present extraneous ideas to the reader or to "educate" them about the course. The goal is to share a story about your relationship with the learning objectives of the course. Therefore, unlike research papers, you are expected to write from a first person point of view which includes an introspective examination of your own opinions, feelings, and personal assumptions.

A reflection paper is not a book review . Descriptions of the course readings using your own words is not a reflective paper. Reflective writing should focus on how you understood the implications of and were challenged by the course in relation to your own lived experiences or personal assumptions, combined with explanations of how you grew as a student learner based on this internal dialogue. Remember that you are the central object of the paper, not the research materials.

A reflective paper is not an all-inclusive meditation. Do not try to cover everything. The scope of your paper should be well-defined and limited to your specific opinions, feelings, and beliefs about what you determine to be the most significant content of the course and in relation to the learning that took place. Reflections should be detailed enough to covey what you think is important, but your thoughts should be expressed concisely and coherently [as is true for any academic writing assignment].

Critical Reflection . Writing and Communication Centre, University of Waterloo; Critical Reflection: Journals, Opinions, & Reactions . University Writing Center, Texas A&M University; Connor-Greene, Patricia A. “Making Connections: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Journal Writing in Enhancing Student Learning.” Teaching of Psychology 27 (2000): 44-46; Good vs. Bad Reflection Papers , Franklin University; Dyment, Janet E. and Timothy S. O’Connell. "The Quality of Reflection in Student Journals: A Review of Limiting and Enabling Factors." Innovative Higher Education 35 (2010): 233-244: How to Write a Reflection Paper . Academic Skills, Trent University; Amelia TaraJane House. Reflection Paper . Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, University of Arkansas; Ramlal, Alana, and Désirée S. Augustin. “Engaging Students in Reflective Writing: An Action Research Project.” Educational Action Research 28 (2020): 518-533; Writing a Reflection Paper . Writing Center, Lewis University; McGuire, Lisa, Kathy Lay, and Jon Peters. “Pedagogy of Reflective Writing in Professional Education.” Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (2009): 93-107; Critical Reflection . Writing and Communication Centre, University of Waterloo; How Do I Write Reflectively? Academic Skills Toolkit, University of New South Wales Sydney; Reflective Writing . Skills@Library. University of Leeds; Walling, Anne, Johanna Shapiro, and Terry Ast. “What Makes a Good Reflective Paper?” Family Medicine 45 (2013): 7-12; Williams, Kate, Mary Woolliams, and Jane Spiro. Reflective Writing . 2nd edition. London: Red Globe Press, 2020; Yeh, Hui-Chin, Shih-hsien Yang, Jo Shan Fu, and Yen-Chen Shih. “Developing College Students’ Critical Thinking through Reflective Writing.” Higher Education Research and Development (2022): 1-16.

Writing Tip

Focus on Reflecting, Not on Describing

Minimal time and effort should be spent describing the course content you are asked to reflect upon. The purpose of a reflection assignment is to introspectively contemplate your reactions to and feeling about an element of the course. D eflecting the focus away from your own feelings by concentrating on describing the course content can happen particularly if "talking about yourself" [i.e., reflecting] makes you uncomfortable or it is intimidating. However, the intent of reflective writing is to overcome these inhibitions so as to maximize the benefits of introspectively assessing your learning experiences. Keep in mind that, if it is relevant, your feelings of discomfort could be a part of how you critically reflect on any challenges you had during the course [e.g., you realize this discomfort inhibited your willingness to ask questions during class, it fed into your propensity to procrastinate, or it made it difficult participating in groups].

Writing a Reflection Paper . Writing Center, Lewis University; Reflection Paper . Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, University of Arkansas.

Another Writing Tip

Helpful Videos about Reflective Writing

These two short videos succinctly describe how to approach a reflective writing assignment. They are produced by the Academic Skills department at the University of Melbourne and the Skills Team of the University of Hull, respectively.

• << Previous: Writing a Policy Memo
• Next: Writing a Research Proposal >>
• Last Updated: Mar 6, 2024 1:00 PM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments

How to Write a Student Course Reflection Paper

Steps in Writing a Reflection Paper

A reflective essay on a course is a personal reflection on how the course affected the student. Reflective essays analyze the course material theories, core concepts and ideas presented by the instructor and then summarizes the writer's feelings about the material. A reflective essay, like all essays, should include an introduction, a body and the conclusion.

Introduce the reader to the course with a summary of the material covered by the course. Describe the method of instruction and the major topics covered. Tell the reader why you took the course and what educational benefits you expected from the course.

Identify the theories and core concepts that were presented during the course. Explain each theory or concept in your own words to demonstrate your understanding of the material.

Describe your feelings about the theories and concepts presented in the course and then analyze them by applying the concepts and theories to real life experiences, if possible. Tell the reader about your feelings on the subject of the course, and describe how and why (or why not) your feelings about the subject, theories and core concepts changed or developed during the course.

Conclude the reflective paper with a summary of your feelings about the course material in the beginning of the course. Summarize your feelings after the course was completed. State how the course helped or did not help you.

Related Articles

Importance of a College Placement Test

How to Remove a Course From Your College Transcript

How to Evaluate a College Course

How to Justify Reimbursement for a Course to Your Employer

Consequences of Plagiarism in College

How to Write a Reflective Summary

How to Create Effective Lesson Plans for Adults

How to Engage Students in Qualitative Research Through Experiential ...

Robin Reichert is a certified nutrition consultant, certified personal trainer and professional writer. She has been studying health and fitness issues for more than 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science in natural health from Clayton College.

Mastering the Art of Writing Reflection Notes: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to write reflection notes is an essential skill for students, professionals, and lifelong learners alike. Reflection notes provide an opportunity to critically analyze experiences, thoughts, and feelings, fostering personal growth and development. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the concept of reflection notes, their structure, and step-by-step instructions on how to write them effectively.

Understanding the Concept of Reflection Notes

A reflection essay or reflection paper is a type of written assignment that allows individuals to critically analyze their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. The reflection paper definition encompasses a wide range of writing tasks, including reflection tasks and reflection statement definitions . These assignments are designed to encourage introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Definition of reflection tasks and reflection notes

Reflection tasks involve the process of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and actions in response to a particular experience or event. The definition of reflection tasks includes various forms of writing, such as journal entries, essays, and reports, which require individuals to critically assess their experiences and learn from them.

The importance of reflective writing in academic and professional settings

Reflective writing plays a crucial role in both academic reflective writing and professional reflection . In academic settings, reflective writing assignments help students develop critical thinking skills, enhance their understanding of course material, and foster personal growth. In professional contexts, reflective writing enables individuals to evaluate their performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for personal and professional development.

Reflection in-action vs reflection on-action: A comparative analysis

There are two primary types of reflection: reflection in-action and reflection on-action . Reflection in-action refers to the process of reflecting on one's thoughts, feelings, and actions while an experience is occurring. This type of reflection allows individuals to adapt and modify their behavior in real-time, leading to more effective decision-making and problem-solving.

On the other hand, reflection on-action involves analyzing one's experiences after they have occurred. This type of reflection enables individuals to evaluate their performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for personal and professional growth. Both reflection in-action and reflection on-action are essential components of reflective writing and contribute to the development of critical thinking and self-awareness skills.

The Structure of Academic Reflections

Understanding the structure of academic reflections is crucial for producing effective and well-organized reflective writing. This section will provide an overview of the basic structure of academic reflections, discuss the elements of reflective writing, and offer tips for maintaining an academic tone in your reflection notes.

The basic structure of academic reflections

The reflective writing structure typically consists of three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction, you should briefly describe the experience or event you will be reflecting on and provide a thesis statement that outlines the main points you will discuss. The body of your reflection should be organized into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your experience or event. Finally, the conclusion should summarize your main points and provide a closing statement that highlights the significance of your reflection.

Elements of reflective writing: What makes a reflection note effective

There are several key elements of reflective writing that contribute to the effectiveness of a reflective note . These elements include:

• Description: Provide a clear and concise account of the experience or event, including relevant details and context.
• Analysis: Examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions during the experience, and identify patterns, connections, or contradictions.
• Evaluation: Assess the significance of the experience, its impact on your personal or professional development, and any lessons learned.
• Integration: Connect your reflection to relevant theories, concepts, or course material, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

To write a reflective note effectively , it is essential to strike a balance between these elements, ensuring that your reflection is both descriptive and analytical.

Language of academic reflections: How to maintain an academic tone

The language of academic reflections should be clear, concise, and objective, while maintaining an academic tone . To achieve this, consider the following tips:

• Use formal language and avoid colloquial expressions or slang.
• Write in the first person, using "I" statements to describe your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
• Be specific and precise in your descriptions, avoiding vague or general statements.
• Use evidence and examples to support your analysis and evaluation.
• Be critical and reflective, questioning your assumptions and considering alternative perspectives.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your academic reflections are well-structured, effective, and maintain an appropriate tone for an academic setting.

How to Write a Reflection Note: Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a reflection paper can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and guidance, you can create a well-structured and insightful reflection note. This section will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a reflection paper, including tips for starting your reflection, enhancing your writing process, and incorporating critical evaluation and thinking.

Starting your reflection paper: Tips and strategies

To start a reflection paper , it is essential to first understand the purpose of the assignment and the specific requirements provided by your instructor or institution. Once you have a clear understanding of the task, consider the following tips to start writing :

• Choose a meaningful experience or event to reflect on, ensuring that it is relevant to the assignment's objectives.
• Brainstorm your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the experience, noting any significant insights or lessons learned.
• Identify the main points you want to discuss in your reflection, and create a thesis statement that outlines these points.
• Begin your introduction with a hook or engaging statement that captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for your reflection.

By following these strategies, you can effectively start your reflection paper and lay the foundation for a well-organized and insightful reflection note.

How to write reflectively: Enhancing your writing process

To write reflectively and create a compelling reflection paper, consider the following tips to enhance your writing process :

• Create a reflection paper outline that organizes your main points and supporting evidence, ensuring a logical flow of ideas throughout your reflection.
• Use descriptive language to provide a clear and vivid account of your experience, including relevant details and context.
• Incorporate analysis and evaluation of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, identifying patterns, connections, or contradictions.
• Connect your reflection to relevant theories, concepts, or course material, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
• Revise and edit your reflection paper, ensuring that it is well-structured, coherent, and free of grammatical errors.

By implementing these tips, you can write a good reflection paper that effectively communicates your insights and demonstrates your critical thinking skills.

Critical evaluation in reflective writing: Analysing events for deeper insight

Critical evaluation and critical thinking play a crucial role in reflective writing, as they allow you to analyze events and experiences for deeper insight and understanding. To incorporate critical evaluation in your reflection, consider the following strategies:

• Analyse the event by examining its causes, consequences, and underlying factors, as well as any patterns or connections that may emerge.
• Engage in critical reflection by questioning your assumptions, beliefs, and values, and considering alternative perspectives or interpretations.
• Assess the significance of the experience, its impact on your personal or professional development, and any lessons learned.
• Use evidence and examples to support your analysis and evaluation, ensuring that your reflection is grounded in fact and reason.

By incorporating critical evaluation and thinking in your reflective writing, you can create a more insightful and meaningful reflection note that demonstrates your ability to learn from your experiences and grow as an individual.

Different Types of Reflection Papers and Their Formats

In this section, we will explore various types of reflection papers and their formats, including reflective essay formats. Understanding the different formats will help you tailor your reflection paper to the specific requirements of your assignment and ensure a well-structured and coherent reflection.

Understanding the format of a reflection paper

A reflection paper outline is crucial for organizing your thoughts and ensuring a logical flow of ideas throughout your paper. The basic outline of a reflection paper typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here's a brief overview of each section:

• Introduction: Introduce the topic, provide context, and present your thesis statement.
• Body paragraphs: Discuss your main points, including your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the experience, as well as any insights or lessons learned. Support your points with evidence and examples, and connect them to relevant theories, concepts, or course material.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points, restate your thesis, and provide a closing statement that highlights the significance of your reflection.

While this is a general outline, the specific format of your reflection paper may vary depending on the type of reflection paper you are writing.

Course reflection paper vs personal reflection paper: A comparative study

A course reflection paper focuses on your learning experiences within a specific course, including your understanding of the course material, your personal growth, and the development of your critical thinking skills. In contrast, a personal reflection paper is more focused on your individual experiences, thoughts, and feelings, often exploring a specific event or situation that has had a significant impact on your life.

Course Reflection Paper Personal Reflection Paper Focuses on learning experiences within a specific course Focuses on individual experiences, thoughts, and feelings Connects reflection to course material, theories, and concepts Explores a specific event or situation that has impacted your life Emphasizes personal growth and development of critical thinking skills Highlights personal insights, emotions, and reactions to the experience

Both types of reflection papers require a thoughtful and introspective approach, but the focus and content will differ based on the specific objectives of each paper.

Experiential reflection paper and critical reflection paper: What's the difference?

An experiential reflection paper is centered around a specific experience or event, often involving hands-on learning or practical application of skills. This type of reflection paper emphasizes the lessons learned from the experience and the impact it has had on your personal or professional development.

On the other hand, a critical reflection paper involves a more in-depth analysis of an experience, event, or concept, examining its underlying assumptions, beliefs, and values. This type of reflection paper encourages you to engage in critical thinking and evaluation, questioning your own perspectives and considering alternative viewpoints.

Experiential Reflection Paper Critical Reflection Paper Focuses on a specific experience or event Examines underlying assumptions, beliefs, and values Emphasizes lessons learned and personal or professional development Encourages critical thinking and evaluation Often involves hands-on learning or practical application of skills Questions own perspectives and considers alternative viewpoints

Understanding the differences between these types of reflection papers will help you choose the appropriate format and approach for your specific assignment, ensuring a well-crafted and insightful reflection.

Improving Your Reflective Writing Skills

Enhancing your reflective writing skills is essential for producing high-quality reflective writing assignments. In this section, we will discuss various strategies for improving reflective writing, the importance of practice through reflective assignments, and tips for confident writing reflection.

Strategies for improving reflective writing

There are several reflective writing strategies that can help you improve your reflective writing skills. Some of these strategies include:

• Active reading: Engage with the course material by taking notes, highlighting key points, and asking questions. This will help you better understand the concepts and make connections to your own experiences.
• Peer review: Share your reflective writing assignments with classmates or friends for feedback. This will help you identify areas for improvement and gain new perspectives on your writing.
• Revision: Reflect on your writing and revise it multiple times to ensure clarity, coherence, and depth of reflection. This will help you develop your critical thinking skills and improve the overall quality of your reflective writing.

Reflective writing assignments: Practice makes perfect

One of the most effective ways to improve your reflective writing skills is through consistent practice with reflective assignments . These assignments provide an opportunity to apply the reflective writing strategies discussed above and develop your ability to analyze and evaluate your experiences. Some examples of reflective assignments include:

• Reflective essays on course material or personal experiences
• Reflection journals or learning logs
• Group projects with a reflective component
• Case study analyses

By regularly completing reflective assignments, you will become more comfortable with the reflective writing process and develop the skills necessary for confident writing reflection.

Confident writing reflection: Overcoming common challenges

Many students face challenges when it comes to reflective writing. Here are some writing tips to help you overcome these common challenges and become more confident in your writing reflection:

• Be honest and authentic: Reflective writing is a personal process, so it's essential to be genuine in your thoughts and feelings. Don't be afraid to express your emotions and share your unique perspective.
• Use specific examples: Support your reflections with concrete examples from your experiences. This will help you provide context and make your writing more engaging and relatable.
• Organize your thoughts: Before you start writing, take some time to brainstorm and outline your main points. This will help you create a clear and coherent structure for your reflective writing.
• Proofread and edit: Carefully review your writing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This will help you present a polished and professional reflection.

By implementing these tips and strategies, you will be well on your way to improving your reflective writing skills and producing high-quality reflective writing assignments.

Examples and Models of Reflective Writing

In this section, we will explore various examples of reflective writing and discuss different reflective models that can guide your reflective process. By examining sample reflection essays and understanding the reflective process, you can enhance your reflective writing skills and produce high-quality reflection notes.

Examples of reflective writing: Learning from the best

Studying examples of reflective writing can provide valuable insights into the structure, language, and tone of effective reflection notes. By analyzing these examples, you can identify the key elements that contribute to successful reflective writing and apply them to your own work. Some sources for finding reflective writing examples include:

• Academic journals and publications
• Online essay databases
• Course materials and textbooks
• Writing centers and tutoring services

When reviewing these examples, pay close attention to the organization, depth of reflection, and use of evidence to support the writer's insights.

Reflective models: Guiding your reflective process

Various reflective models have been developed to guide the reflective process and help you structure your reflective writing. These models provide a framework for analyzing and evaluating your experiences, allowing you to gain deeper insights and enhance your learning. Some popular reflective models include:

• Gibbs' Reflective Cycle: This model consists of six stages - description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan - that guide you through the reflective process.
• Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle: This model emphasizes the importance of learning from experience and includes four stages - concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.
• Schön's Reflection-in-Action and Reflection-on-Action: This model distinguishes between reflecting during an experience (reflection-in-action) and reflecting after an experience (reflection-on-action), encouraging you to engage in both types of reflection for optimal learning.

By applying these reflective models to your reflective writing, you can ensure a structured and comprehensive analysis of your experiences, leading to deeper insights and more effective learning.

Sample reflection essay: A closer look

Let's examine a sample reflection essay to better understand the elements of effective reflective writing. In this example, a student reflects on their experience in a group project:

During our group project, I was assigned the role of team leader. Initially, I felt confident in my ability to manage the team and ensure a successful outcome. However, as the project progressed, I encountered several challenges, such as coordinating schedules and resolving conflicts among team members. Upon reflection, I realized that my initial confidence may have led me to underestimate the complexity of the task. I failed to establish clear communication channels and did not provide sufficient guidance to my team members. This resulted in confusion and delays in completing the project. Through this experience, I learned the importance of effective communication and leadership in group projects. In the future, I will take a more proactive approach to managing team dynamics and ensuring that all team members are on the same page. I will also seek feedback from my peers to continuously improve my leadership skills.

In this reflective essay , the writer effectively describes their experience, analyzes the challenges they faced, and identifies the lessons learned. By following this example and incorporating the reflective models discussed earlier, you can enhance your reflective writing skills and produce high-quality reflection notes.

The Role of Reflection Notes in Skill Development and Learning

Reflection on project tasks and learning experiences play a crucial role in skill development and personal growth. By engaging in reflection tasks, individuals can gain valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This process not only enhances learning but also fosters personal insight and self-awareness, ultimately leading to better decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Reflection notes and skill development: A symbiotic relationship

Reflection notes serve as a powerful tool for skill development by providing a platform for individuals to analyze their experiences, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. This process of self-assessment and introspection allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their abilities, leading to personal insight and growth. Furthermore, reflection notes can help individuals identify areas where they need to improve, set goals, and develop strategies to achieve those goals, ultimately enhancing their overall skill set.

Learning experiences and their reflection in personal life experiences

Engaging in learning experiences not only contributes to academic and professional growth but also has a significant impact on personal life experiences. By reflecting on these learning experiences, individuals can gain valuable insights into their personal values, beliefs, and attitudes, which in turn shape their behavior and decision-making in various aspects of life. This process of self-discovery and personal growth can lead to improved relationships, increased self-confidence, and a greater sense of fulfillment and well-being.

The role of reflection tasks in learning journals

A learning journal is a valuable tool for documenting and reflecting on learning experiences, both in academic and professional settings. Incorporating reflection tasks into learning journals allows individuals to systematically analyze their experiences, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. This process not only enhances learning but also fosters personal insight and self-awareness, ultimately leading to better decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

Some benefits of incorporating reflection tasks in learning journals include:

• Improved understanding of personal learning styles and preferences
• Enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills
• Increased self-awareness and personal insight
• Greater ability to set and achieve personal and professional goals
• Improved communication and interpersonal skills

In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the concept, structure, and process of writing reflection notes. We have delved into the importance of reflective writing in academic and professional settings, as well as the differences between reflection in-action and reflection on-action. We have also discussed the basic structure of academic reflections, the elements that make a reflection note effective, and how to maintain an academic tone.

Furthermore, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to write a reflection note, including tips and strategies for starting your reflection paper, enhancing your writing process, and conducting critical evaluation. We have also compared different types of reflection papers and their formats, such as course reflection papers, personal reflection papers, experiential reflection papers, and critical reflection papers.

To improve your reflective writing skills, we have shared strategies for improvement, the importance of practice, and how to overcome common challenges. We have also provided examples and models of reflective writing, as well as a sample reflection essay for reference. Lastly, we have highlighted the role of reflection notes in skill development and learning, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between reflection tasks and skill development, the impact of learning experiences on personal life experiences, and the role of reflection tasks in learning journals.

By mastering the art of writing reflection notes, you can enhance your learning experiences, foster personal insight and self-awareness, and achieve personal and professional growth.

@2023 Pyrilia.

Made with ❤️ by Pyrilia Team

My Paper Writer

Read our sample essays and get inspired for your own academic work

• Pages: 3 page(s)
• Words: 602 words
• Date added: August 30, 2019
• Views: 1060 Views

Course Completion Reflective Essay

In the process of completing this course, I have improved on many areas of my reading, writing and research skills, honing my ability to read critically and write thoughtfully and creatively. In particular, however, I feel this course has taught me to improve the focus, rigor and presentation of my writing work by helping me to understand writing and research processes, broaden my writing perspective, and improve my analysis and application of rhetorical situations. A key way in which this course has helped me to improve my writing ability is through helping me to understand how to develop and maintain a controlling thesis for my work, regardless of which genre and subject I am writing in. While I understood before taking this course how to formulate a clear thesis, I have often had difficulty in knowing how to ensure that different genres of my writing stayed focused on that thesis; through its focus on planning and writing structure, however, this course has helped me to realise the importance of using a thesis idea to focus an entire piece of academic writing. At the same time, understanding the different processes involved in writing and research has made the task of developing a thesis idea and keeping my research focused seem less daunting.

Use your promo and get a custom paper on Course Completion Reflective Essay

While improving the structure and processes I utilise for writing projects has enabled me to master the basics of academic writing, I also feel that this course has assisted me in developing my writing beyond basic competence, enabling me to be more creative in my choice of topics and rhetorical strategies. In particular, it has taught me how to recognise the deliberate choices and strategies employed by all writers in order to suit their intended audience and achieve their intended purpose. Understanding the difference between ethos, pathos, and logos, for example, has improved the objectivity of my writing, making it more academically rigorous. The examination and analysis of examples of academic writing enabled me to more clearly understand my own options and decisions as a writer, helping me to craft my papers more deliberately and skilfully. I also found that this skill has helped me to understand the planning and research processes more fully, as an understanding of my own audience and purpose has helped to give structure to my writing and research endeavours.

As a result of my greater awareness of rhetorical situations and strategies, I have furthermore learned how to recognise culturally diverse perspectives, and incorporate them into my own writing. Learning to be more aware of the multiplicity of perspectives which might affect even a small and locally-circulated piece of writing has broadened my understanding of genre and audience, again helping me to make deliberate and considered rhetorical choices. As a result of this aspect of the course, I now recognise my own cultural biases as a writer, and the ways in which a particular cultural heritage can affect tone, lexis, syntax, and even objectivity. These are factors I now consider in my own writing, working more carefully to consider the needs and opinions of my audience. In doing so, I feel that my writing has been improved by being more culturally aware and socially responsible, thereby enhancing other aspects of my academic career.

Overall, therefore, I feel that this course has significantly improved my composition skills, enabling me to move beyond simplistic constructions of arguments to complex and creative writing. By demystifying the underlying concepts that form the foundations of planning, research, and writing, this course has improved both my confidence and my ability to tackle writing projects within my own subject and in many different genres.

A successful leader should not be measured solely by their own success in being uplifted by others but rather in their capability to uplift others to a level equal to…

In this paper, the purpose is to critically reflect upon information about the information that I garnered through several self-assessment tests, as well as, life experiences about mu leadership strengths…

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a radical Islamist organization which aims to establish an Islamic empire on the territories of Iraq and Syria, believing that this…

(1) In what ways do you see North Korea as being "developed" according to the standards of living in our country? North Korea clearly has a well-developed infrastructure, as evidenced…

Emerging counseling practitioners face a diversity of challenges on their way to becoming professionals. From the basic understanding of psychopathology to the subsequent realization of the limits and advantages of…

My education as an immigrant to the United States started when I was about to start the fifth grade in my home country. Nine years ago my parents decided to…

I remember when I was younger, every weekday I would wake up 15 minutes early so I could catch a little bit of cartoons before my mom would come into…

According to the Adam Clulow article Like Lambs in Japan and Devils Outside Their Land and the film Will of the Shogun, the Tokugawa Shugunate certainly faced particular obstacles and…

Within this English Composition course, I hope to improve my writing skills. Communication is so important in every aspect of life, both oral and written. By improving my communication skills,…

In the process of completing this course, I have improved on many areas of my reading, writing and research skills, honing my ability to read critically and write thoughtfully and creatively. In particular, however, I feel this course has taught me to improve the focus, rigor and presentation of my...

Secure the top grades, with vetted experts at your fingertips.

Your proffesor make flag you for plagiarism if you hand in this sample as your own. Shall we write a brand new paper for you instead?

• Jump to menu
• Student Home
• Accept your offer
• How to enrol
• Student ID card
• Set up your IT
• Orientation Week
• Fees & payment
• Academic calendar
• Special consideration
• Transcripts
• The Nucleus: Student Hub
• Referencing
• Essay writing
• Learning abroad & exchange
• Professional development & UNSW Advantage
• Employability
• Financial assistance
• International students
• Equitable learning
• Postgraduate research
• Health Service
• Events & activities
• Emergencies
• Volunteering
• Clubs and societies
• Accommodation
• Health services
• Sport and gym
• Arc student organisation
• Security on campus
• Maps of campus
• Careers portal
• Change password

Examples of Reflective Writing

Types of reflective writing assignments.

A journal  requires you to write weekly entries throughout a semester. May require you to base your reflection on course content.

A learning diary is similar to a journal, but may require group participation. The diary then becomes a place for you to communicate in writing with other group members.

A logbook is often used in disciplines based on experimental work, such as science. You note down or 'log' what you have done. A log gives you an accurate record of a process and helps you reflect on past actions and make better decisions for future actions.

A reflective note is often used in law. A reflective note encourages you to think about your personal reaction to a legal issue raised in a course.

An essay diary  can take the form of an annotated bibliography (where you examine sources of evidence you might include in your essay) and a critique (where you reflect on your own writing and research processes).

a peer review  usually involves students showing their work to their peers for feedback.

A self-assessment task  requires you to comment on your own work.

Some examples of reflective writing

Social science fieldwork report (methods section), engineering design report, learning journal (weekly reflection).

Brookfield, S 1987, Developing critical thinkers: challenging adults to explore alternative ways of thinking and acting , Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

Mezirow, J 1990, Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: a guide to transformative and emancipatory learning , Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

Schön, DA 1987, Educating the reflective practitioner , Jossey-Bass. San Francisco.

We thank the students who permitted us to feature examples of their writing.

Prepared by Academic Skills, UNSW. This guide may be distributed or adapted for educational purposes. Full and proper acknowledgement is required. 

Essay and assignment writing guide

• Essay writing basics
• Essay and assignment planning
• Answering assignment questions
• Editing checklist
• Writing a critical review
• Annotated bibliography
• How do I write reflectively?
• Examples of reflective writing
• ^ More support

Study Hacks Workshops | All the hacks you need! 7 Feb – 10 Apr 2024

Discover your Library: Main Library 21 – 23 May 2024

Course Reflection - Logan Williams

Course Reflection

Https://docs.google.com/a/email.arizona.edu/document/d/1wqzbdo50kdghnvqqtnuiqyucs1k5bmsvixwa7mcp1j0/editusp=sharing.

Course Reflection Essay Examples

Reflecting on my english course journey, introduction, strengthening language proficiency, critical thinking and analysis, effective communication, cultural awareness and empathy, personal growth and self-expression, looking at literature as a mirror to society, the art of writing, reflecting on my entrepreneurship course journey, embracing risk and uncertainty, the lean startup methodology, creativity and innovation, networking and collaboration, market research and target market, resilience and perseverance.

Izzah Ahmed

This is Izzah, a content writer and editor who creates SEO-friendly content and has experience in academic writing. Backed by 10 years of experience in writing and editing, she is equipped with the skill to create content that is backed by thorough research and has impeccable structure.

Related Posts

Self Reflection Essay Examples

Leadership Reflection Essay Examples

English 111 Reflective Essay Example

UNV 104 Self-Reflection Essay Example

End of Year Reflection Essay Example

Class Reflection Essay Examples

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

My Portfolio

Andrew duffy.

• Literacy Narrative
• Image Analysis Essay
• Argument Research Essay
• Other Works About My Writing

Final Reflective Essay

At the beginning of the course, I was new to college writing. My writing skills were not bad, but they needed some fine tuning. A lot of the skills I have translated over easily from high school, but some did not. I was always good at getting information and laying down a foundation. Alongside that, I’ve always found writing easy once I have that base. Filling out the main ideas were simple. However, once I arrived in college it was apparent to myself that I needed more detail, and that it was something I lacked. It needed improving, but it was not a hard fix. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand why some writing needs more detail but others do not. This class has helped me fix that issue a bit, while also strengthening my proficiency in other areas. Throughout the semester, I have completed assignments that have increased my skills, and broadened my sense as a writer in different areas. By taking this class, I have been able to develop rhetorical knowledge, develop critical thinking, reading, and information literacy, develop effective strategies for drafting texts, and develop knowledge of conventions.

This class has helped me develop rhetorical knowledge by analyzing and composing multiple forms of writing to understand how genre conventions shape readers’ and writers’ practices and purposes. This means that I have been able to analyze different types of writing in order to understand how a genre affects how an author writes, and how the reader reads. One assignment that comes to mind that helped me achieve this outcome was our advertisement analysis assignments. In class, we spent time looking at different advertisements, and how they appealed to certain audiences. We all had to bring an advertisement to class, and analyze it ourselves, pointing out what techniques the ads were using, if they were effective or not, and who were they targeting. This assignment helps develop rhetoric as it allowed me to understand how the category of advertisement writing can differ from not only other genres, but other ads as well.

Rhetoric knowledge was also developed by practicing purposeful shifts in structure, content, diction, tone, formality, design, and/or medium in accordance with the rhetorical situation, which means to be able to change your writing to reflect the rhetorical situation at hand. This was not the result of one assignment, but many. During the course we were asked to write different essays that reflected different styles of writing. From storytelling and analyzation, to infographics and research assignments, I have been able to change how I write in order to meet the requirements. For example, in the literacy narrative, I had to write to convey a story. This means using traditional elements of a story, such as a beginning, middle, climax, and resolution, along with elements such as foreshadowing. This style of writing is different from an image analysis essay, where the purpose is mostly informative rather than anecdotal. In this case, elements such as facts, context, and comparison are common, and story like elements would not be appropriate here. I display that I have met this outcome by understanding how to write in those genres and how to keep it appropriate.

Another outcome this class has helped me meet is developing critical thinking, reading, and information literacy by composing and reading for inquiry, learning, critical thinking, and communicating. One such way I have met this outcome is by writing journals almost every class about different things. Every so often we had to write a journal about our thoughts about either our writing skills, how we defined different terms, and our reflections on our assignments. By completing these journals, I was able to look back on certain assignments, and learn how I was able to accomplish what I did. This style of writing is helpful because of its creative nature, and allows myself to become better as a writer.

Two more ways I was able to develop my critical thinking, reading, and information literacy skills was by using outside materials in their own writing through techniques such as interpretation, synthesis, response, critique, and design/redesign, and incorporating outside materials through quotations, paraphrase, and summary. By completing the image analysis essay, I was able to meet the outcome about using outside materials in your own writing. I used two advertisements in the essay, and analyzed how they were done, and who they targeted, in order to compare and contrast them at the end. I appropriately commented on their effectiveness, and how they could have improved. Speaking of using outside materials, my research essay demonstrated the outcome related to using paraphrase due to the nature of the assignment. By using outside sources, I was able to make my argument stronger, and I was able to improve as a writer because my skill to read and take information away improved.

The third outcome this class helped me to achieve was to develop effective strategies for drafting texts by working through multiple drafts of a project and recognizing the role of reflecting, revising, and editing in the process, engaging in the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes, such as learning to give and to act on productive feedback to works in progress, both by and with peers and in one-on-one instructor conferences, and critically reflecting on how they may further develop and apply writing skills in the future. The first outcome was reached simply through the rough drafts of each project. I usually had to brainstorm first, but afterwards, I was able to just write in order to get the information down. It had quite a few flaws to begin with, but during editing, most of them were ironed out easily. The second outcome was achieved through peer review. This was something I had always struggled with because I did not know how to do it. After learning, I saw how important it was. It allowed me to see mistakes my brain would have never saw, and let me see what my most common mistake were, which then allowed me to know what to avoid when writing. By reviewing other’s works, I was able to see common writing errors in general, and thus gave me information about what to avoid. The last outcome was achieved through peer review reflection. This is self-explanatory, but being able to reflect on the advice given is helpful. Mostly because it allows you to take a step back, and go over everything. You can see what you did well, and what you need to avoid in the future. This way, in future endeavors, the same mistakes will hopefully not be made.

The last outcome this class helped me to achieve was to develop knowledge of conventions by demonstrating competence in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, practicing genre conventions for structure, paragraphing, tone and mechanics, and understanding the concepts of intellectual property that motivate documentation conventions through application of recognized citation styles. The first two outcomes are rather similar, in the regard that most of the assignments help reach this outcome. Grammar will never change in writing, so it is important to get it write initially. The only assignment that really tested this was peer review. Being able to recognize sentences that do not make sense is helpful, and will help a writer catch confusing or contradicting statements. As for practicing genre conventions, almost every project helped display that. Writing paragraphs and formatting them correctly is easy, so there is not reason to drag on about this point. Lastly, the assignment that helped reach the outcome about citing intellectual property was the research assignment. It is important to cite your sources so that you do not plagiarize someone’s work, and jeopardize your own academic career. The research assignment helped because you had to find sources for you argument, and as a result, citations would follow.

During the course, I was faced with a few assignments where I had to write day by day, and not just in one day. Writing is not something to do, but rather a process that you have to follow in order to succeed. Many of the different assignments helped improve my skills in rhetoric, critical thinking, drafting, and conventions. While some did not improve much, others did exponentially. The work is not perfect, but for a beginner in college, it shows that I am willing to put in the time and effort to become more than just a beginner. As I progress through school, I hope to not only maintain these skills, but improve them also. Writing is not something that you leave behind after leaving school, so it is important that I take these skills not only with me for the next four years, but for the rest of my life. If I succeed in doing that, then I will always be prepared for any assignment that my field of interest throws at me.

Search form

Latest posts, text widget.

These widgets are displayed because you haven't added any widgets of your own yet. You can do so at Appearance > Widgets in the WordPress settings.

© 2024 My Portfolio — Powered by WordPress

Original theme by Anders Noren | Adapted by ITS — Up ↑

Reflective Essay

Reflective Essay Outline

Reflective Essay Outline - Samples & Template

Published on: Oct 3, 2020

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

People also read

Reflective Essay - Writing Steps with Examples, Tips, and Topics

Best Reflective Essay Topics & Ideas for Students

Share this article

On This Page On This Page -->

The best essay starts with the perfect essay outline. An essay outline helps to get everything in order. It is the layout of one’s thoughts and ideas related to the specific topic. With an outline, you can easily structure it properly.

Here is a guide that helps you in creating the perfect reflective essay outline.

Creating the essay outline for a reflective essay is like getting your thoughts in order. It works as an essay bone structure. An essay outline is a way of organizing thoughts and ideas in one place.

Writing the outline is the first step of a well-written essay. An outline helps in your entire essay, and you don’t forget the essay’s main points.

An outline gives you a clear roadmap and saves your writing time. With the outline’s help, you won’t struggle to remember the important points of the essay.

An outline helps from the start to the end of the essay, and you can easily finish the essay before the deadline. Collect all information and create a well-structured essay outline. Without a perfect outline, you would never create a good college essay and make it difficult for you.

The structure of the  college essay  depends on the topic and purpose of the essay. A properly structured outline will help you to present the necessary information in the essay easily. When writing the reflective essay outline, keep some key points in mind, and create the perfect essay.

• Describe the significance of the essay
• Identify personal intentions and link them with previous experiences.
• Think about future options
• Recognize your own beliefs
• Organize information in a sensible manner.
• Categorize the main points

Tough Essay Due? Hire a Writer!

How to Write a Reflective Essay Outline?

Writing a  reflective essay  is a way of describing your personal experience and explain how those life experiences influenced and how they changed your lives.

When writing the outline, one thing to keep in mind is the chronological order. Explain all the events in logical order. Creating a good outline will make your essay writing phase easy and quicker.

When you start creating the college essay outline, make sure you include three sections i.e., introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Attention-grabbing hook
• Overview of the topic
• Thesis statement
• Paragraph 1 with a detailed description of the event, person, or place
• Paragraph 2 with a description of thoughts and feelings
• Paragraph 3 with analysis and evaluation of the experience
• Summary of the essay
• Restate the thesis statement

Let’s discuss them in detail.

The essay introduction is based on your experiences, feelings, and situations. When you start writing the reflective paper introduction, focus on the main parts that make your introduction a good one.

The introduction part of the essay should start with an attention-grabbing hook statement. It is a statement that grabs the reader’s attention. A great hook statement makes the readers want to read more.

It is the first statement that the reader read and decide to read the entire essay or not. The hook statement should start with a quote or an interesting question.

The introduction is a small overview of the reflection essay topic. Briefly mention the main points related to the topic. In this section, you need to communicate directly with the purpose of the essay. The first few sentences give a glimpse of the big picture that you reveal in the body paragraphs.

The thesis statement describes what the essay is all about. It is your entire essay’s core statement, and it is called “reflective essay thesis.” The thesis statement is all about places, events, experiences, and thoughts described further in the essay.

The body paragraph is the next section after the introduction. Writing the body paragraphs is sometimes time-consuming if you have not prepared the perfect outline.

Start the body paragraph with a topic sentence and explain the main idea. The reflective essay body paragraph is categorized into three paragraphs, like other essays.

In the first body paragraph, describe the event, person, or place. But describe all the events in chronological order so the reader easily understands. Not define the events in the body paragraphs without any order.

Describe the main issues related to the topic. Use quotations and cite sources related to the literature. Include precise examples of the events that occurred during this period.

The third part will be related to your personal reflections about the event. You need to add supporting details about the event and make a successful essay. In this paragraph, you describe what lessons you have learned after experiencing the event.

The essay’s conclusion paragraph should be the finishing touch that brings the complete piece of the writing together. It contains two parts that make the essay successful.

The conclusion wraps the entire essay but does not add irrelevant details. Only add important points in the essay. It is the final part that the reader reads, so make it strong and powerful. In this part, encourage the reader to do further research.

In conclusion, restate the thesis statement and rewrite the main points. It is the closing part of the essay, and it must be concise. Inform the reader of your final opinion about the topic.

Reflective Essay Outline Format

The reflective essay format is different from other essays. It is a type of writing in which an essay writer uses the MLA format or APA style.

In APA style, you should consider a few points:

• Use Time New Roman
• The font size is 12, and all text should be double-spaced.
• The page number is located at the top right corner of the page.
• The title page, abstract, main body, and references are the main parts of the essay.

Similarly APA format, you should consider a few points in MLA format:

• The font size is 12.
• All the titles of the essay should be centered.
• Your paper’s header should have your name, course number, professor's name, and date.
• On the last page of the essay, include the cited work.

Reflective Essay Outline Template

Creating a good outline is necessary for all essays. Without an outline, you will not complete your essay on time. Here is a template that will help you in creating a good reflective essay.

Reflective Essay Outline Examples

If you write the reflective essay for the first time, get help from these examples and craft a good essay. These examples will help in your writing the perfect reflective essay.

Example of Reflective Essay

Personal Reflective Essay

Reflective Essay Example About Travel

Tips on Writing the Reflective Essay

The outline is the backbone of the essay. For writing the perfect essay, you have to create the outline. Here are some tips that you should follow when writing a reflective essay.

• Use the outline for your daily entries.
• Avoid repetitive sentences in the essay.
• State your own opinion in the essay.
• Make sure that you have supported every moment that seemed unclear to you before.
• Use transition words between paragraphs.
• Include all the key points in the outline.
• Don’t use complex words in the essay and present your point of view.
• Know the strong points that you need to showcase in the essay.
• Proofread and edit the essay before submitting or publishing it.

Reflective essay writing might be tough, but you can easily write the essay with the right outline. Some students have too little time, and they are overloaded with essay writing tasks. They cannot give appropriate time to essay writing.

Achieve academic excellence effortlessly with our professional essay writing service . Our team of seasoned writers is dedicated to delivering outstanding results that exceed your expectations.

Elevate your writing with our innovative AI essay writing tool . Click here to unlock your full academic potential.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Legal & Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use
• Refunds & Cancellations
• Our Writers
• Success Stories
• Our Guarantees
• Affiliate Program
• Referral Program
• AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

• Free Samples
• Premium Essays
• Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
• Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
• Essay Writing Help
• About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ
• Studentshare
• End of Course Reflection

End of Course Reflection - Essay Example

• Subject: English
• Type: Essay
• Level: Undergraduate
• Pages: 1 (250 words)
• Downloads: 31
• Author: ilenebergnaum

Extract of sample "End of Course Reflection"

End Of Reflection When I commenced learning this course I had little knowledge concerning how technology and innovation have influenced the current world. However, I had so much expectation on the learning outcomes that I would gain as a result of pursuing the course. Interacting with my instructors and fellow colleagues has been awesome since I was able to create new links with people that have greatly influenced my life and knowledge wise (Williamson, 2014). The group discussions have been interesting even though seldom tasks would be difficult with strict deadlines; we managed to complete them in time an aspect that taught me the importance of punctuality and meeting work deadlines (Harvard and Hodkinson, 2004).

I also learnt time management skills from the assignment deadlines and now I believe I am a better person than I was to join the corporate world.Conversely, the course was well structured as it included all aspects of learning that allowed as students to captivate knowledge and skills to mold our psychology as we go out to the job market (Harvard and Hodkinson, 2004). Personally, I have been elevated by the course since most of the stuff that I previously did not have interest in are currently my new passion.

The course has modeled me in all aspects; educationally, socially and morally, thus I am in a better position to solve the current problems in the field and the world since the skills that I possess are enough to enable me come up with a formidable solutions to the current problems in the field. Finally, the course presented a challenge through its objectives, thus we as students had the obligation to satisfy the general goals of the course; I am glad that I have satisfactorily met a significant amount of the course responsibility and hope the knowledge will be of great importance in the practical field (Williamson, 2014).

ReferencesHarvard, G. R., & Hodkinson, P. (2004). Action and reflection in teacher education. Norwood, N.J: Ablex Pub. Corp.Williamson, M. (2014). A return to love: Reflections on the Principles of a course in miracles. S.l.: Harper One.

• Cited: 4 times
• Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF End of Course Reflection

Action research method, industrial placement in hospitality and tourism, strengths and weaknesses of academic literacy competence, narrative competence is very vital for professionals, reflective essay on capstone course, reflective essay on time-tested strategies for teaching reading comprehension, skills and competencies as a nurse, analysis of coaching and mentoring practices for developing and applying your own skills.

• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• COOKIES POLICY

Course Reflection Sample

Course reflection sample 1.

This course has been a great source of learning for me. There are many dimensions of learning that I had from this course. First is the fact that I have had to discuss different topics in the discussion area which proved to be vital for me and was a great experience for me. Especially there was a lot to learn about the effects of the climate change as I was unaware about its effects and just like others, I also considered it a myth. Second is the fact that I learned to do research. There were different stage of doing a research like brainstorming the research question, writing a bibliography, doing a literature review and writing the actual paper. I hope that this learning process would be helpful in shaping my future as a researcher in a profound institute. I would like to thank the whole administration of UDC for their efforts and the opportunity that I got to attend this course.

Course Reflection Sample 2

It was simply great. I honestly believe that the course had so much to offer that I never expected from it. It was not just a course related to a specific topic but encompassed a lot more. I learned the technical side of writing papers and preparing presentations with PowerPoint. The part where I had to research the benefits of the PowerPoint for developing presentations was a great exercise. Apart from that I learned to use referencing and citation for a research paper. This was also a great exercise the fruits of which I tasted while writing my final exam and the research paper where I user APA styling for citation. The class discussions had their own utility, we primarily discussed the effects of the climate change which was full of information and intrigued me to play my part in responding to the effects of the climate change.

Overall speaking, it was a great course and a great experience and I hope I would become a part of such courses and experiences in my future student life.

Related Posts

Privacy Overview

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

The Study Blog

Term Paper Writing Help

If you aren't sure whether you are good at expressing yourself through writing, then if you find it difficult to do so (e.g., when trying to write an english essay), we can help you overcome those obstacles by assisting you in improving your communication through writing. We help students compose essays or other types of papers for their courses. Now is the time to come visit us!

How to Overcome the Complexity of a Nursing Essay

There aren't many alternatives for professional translations. Before writing a good summary of something, you need to know your subject well enough to be able to write an accurate one. A research paper requires mastery of research language, a deep understanding of their subjects to be able to write about them clearly, and a careful consideration of possible problems before proposing solutions. Students often have trouble understanding medical terminology when they first encounter it, because they have never heard of these words before. When writing a cohesive psychology essay, students must be familiar with some psychological concepts. We have a wealth of experience under our belt, so we know where they need help. Although you may be able to find better deals elsewhere, there is no way to tell if these sites offer superior customer service and top-quality results. Read customer reviews before making any online purchases. If you don't think there's a market for them, it's perhaps best to skip them.

Professional Help from Copywriters

If you would like us to write anything from an essay in history to a term paper for you, we’d be happy to oblige. When writing something, there's a precise formula for choosing the best word. You can rest assured that you'll receive an expertly written paper from those who know exactly what they're doing. No need to write anything down today; there are no reasons why you shouldn't let others edit your document for you. Don't waste your time trying to convince them to do it for you, instead, invest it in something more productive! Order term papers online and go there! Founded in a simple belief that we are capable of delivering top-quality content to you, we offer a range of guarantees. Test it out yourself! The results must be presented after all the research has been completed.

Cheap Business Essay Writing Services

Before being accepted into our company, we underwent extensive background checks. Check their credentials to confirm that they have been writing professionally for some time. If they are members of professional associations, check, for instance.

Fun Tips to Spend Orthodox Easter Away from Home

In "Student Life"

Welcome to the New Bloggers

In "Degree Essentials"

Mastering Warwick as a Postgraduate

In "Looking After You"

Comments are closed.

Copyright, 2023