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
- Directories
Reflective essays
Reflective essays are academic essays; what makes an essay "good" will work for a reflective essay. What is different about a reflective essay is that the essay is about you and your thinking. However, you will need evidence from your course to back up your reflections.
You should structure a reflective essay as an essay, that is write to persuade your reader of your key reflections (or argument). The diagram above, details how to stucture your reflections through the essay. To find out more see the section on essay writing .
Business example
The following example comes from business. Thanks to Dr Colleen Hayes for the three samples.
Students were asked to write a reflective essay on their learning in the course by responding to the following question:
What key thing have you learned about corporate social responsibility in the course?
Example 1: Retelling
This writing is (1) descriptive/listing of content, not reflective and (2) not properly referenced (the definition of stakeholders is directly copied from Freeman in the lecture slides.
Example 2: Relating
This writing involves relating to personal experience and has some integration of course concepts (stakeholders).
Example 3: Reflecting
More reflective (forward-looking), better citation and integration of multiple course concepts, and reflection that links with personal experience.
An anthropology marking rubric
For this assessment, students were required to write a 1500-1800 word essay building on the themes of the course to address the question "We are all pirates". Attached under reference documents is the rubric used to mark the essay (thanks to Dr Caroline Schuster). Notice that it requires both the reflection (reflect, relate and retell) as well as the poor traditional requirements of an essay (Writing and organisation, Supporting claims with scholarly sources).
Reflective writing
Learning journals
Reference Documents
- Sample rubric from Anthropology (PDF, 243.24 KB)
Use contact details to request an alternative file format.
- ANU Library Academic Skills
- +61 2 6125 2972
- Schools & departments
Reflective essays
Guidance and information on using reflective essays.
The reflective essay is one of the most common reflective assignments and is very frequently used for both formative and especially summative assessments. Reflective essays are about presenting reflections to an audience in a systematic and formal way.
Generally, all good academic practice for assignments applies when posing reflective essays.
Typical reflective essay questions
Reflective essays tend to deal with a reflective prompt that the essay needs to address. This also often means that the essay will have to draw on a range of experiences and theories to fully and satisfactorily answer the question.
The questions/prompts should not be too vague, for example ‘reflect on your learning’, but should define an area or an aspect relevant to your learning outcomes. This is most easily ensured with thorough guidelines, highlighting elements expected in the essay.
Questions could be something like (not exhaustive):
- reflect on learning in the course with regards to [choose an aspect]
- reflect on personal development across an experience with regards to certain skills
- reflect on development towards subject benchmarks statements and the extent to which these are achieved
- reflect on the progression towards the course’s defined learning outcomes or the school’s or the University’s Graduate Attributes
- reflect on some theory relevant to the course. (Remember that for this to be a reflective essay and not an academic/critical essay, the student must use that theory to explain/inform their own experiences, and use their own experiences to criticise and put the theory into context – that is, how theory and experience inform one another.)
Typical structure and language
Reflective essays will often require theoretical literature, but this is not always essential. Reflective essays can be built around a single individual experience, but will often draw on a series of individual experiences – or one long experience, for example an internship, that is broken into individual experiences.
The typical language and structure is formal – for thorough descriptions on this, see ‘Academic reflections: tips, language and structure’ in the Reflectors’ Toolkit, which can be valuable to highlight to students.
Academic reflections: tips, language and structure (within the Reflectors’ Toolkit)
Length and assignment weight if assessed
There is no one length that a reflective essay must take. As with all written assignments, the main consideration is that the length is appropriate for evidencing learning, answering the question and meeting the criteria.
Similarly, there is no clear answer for what percentage of the overall mark is attached to the assignment. However, the choice should mirror the required workload for the reflector to complete it, how that fits into your initiative, and the amount of preparation the reflector has had.
For instance, if the student has received formative feedback on multiple pieces of work, a larger proportion of the course mark may be appropriate, compared to if the student had not had a chance to practice. It is important to keep in mind that many students will not have had many chances to practice reflective essays before university.
Back to ‘Components of reflective tasks’
- 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.
Reflective Essay Examples and Samples
Reflecting on a chosen topic requires deep insight, making reflective essays difficult to write. Read our samples of reflective essays to gain a greater understanding of how to write one on your own.
Introduction to Reflective Essay: An Exploration of Self
A reflective essay is a type of personal writing that allows you to explore and document your thoughts, feelings, and insights about a particular subject or experience. Unlike other forms of academic writing, a reflective essay is more subjective and focuses more on your personal perspectives and interpretations. Writing a reflective essay can be a powerful way to articulate your growth and discoveries, making it an essential tool for creative and personal writing.
The Importance of Personal Experiences in Reflective Writing
Reflective writing revolves around personal experiences. It’s through such experiences that we learn, grow, and evolve. As such, personal experience plays a crucial role in reflective essays. A well-written reflective essay should vividly describe the experience, delve into the feelings it evoked, and critically analyze the impact it had on you. Reflective essays are not just a recounting of events, but a deep exploration of how those events influenced your outlook on life, reshaped your beliefs, or contributed to your personal growth.
Creative Expression: The Heart of a Reflective Essay
Creative writing goes hand in hand with reflective essays. The very nature of reflective essays – introspective, personal, and subjective – calls for creative expression. The creative door is wide open when writing a reflective essay, allowing you to experiment with different writing styles, narrative structures, and descriptive techniques. The goal here is to create an engaging and compelling narrative that captures your personal insights and emotional journey in the most authentic way possible.
Examining Growth Through Reflective Essays: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Reflective essays often serve as a mirror, reflecting your journey of growth. Whether it’s overcoming a personal challenge, learning a new skill, or undergoing a transformative life experience, these growth narratives form the backbone of reflective essays. When writing a reflective essay, it’s essential to not only describe the event or experience but also to delve into how it contributed to your growth as a person. How did it change you? What did you learn about yourself? How have you evolved as a result? Answering these questions can lead to profound insights and self-discovery.
Using Books and Literature as a Catalyst for Reflection
Books and literature often serve as a catalyst for reflection. A classic novel, a thought-provoking non-fiction book, or a compelling piece of poetry can provoke deep reflection and become the subject of a reflective essay. Whether it’s a book that changed your perspective, a character you deeply resonated with, or a theme that made you rethink your beliefs, reflective essays about literature can be a powerful way to explore your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the written word.
Emotional Intelligence: Exploring Your Emotions in a Reflective Essay
Exploring your emotions forms an essential part of the reflective writing process. In fact, reflecting on our feelings and emotions is an exercise in emotional intelligence. A reflective essay offers a safe space to navigate complex emotions, understand emotional responses, and articulate emotional growth. Whether reflecting on a life-changing event or exploring your reactions to a particular book, it’s crucial to delve into your emotional journey. By understanding your feelings, you can gain deeper insights into your emotional patterns, personal triggers, and coping mechanisms.
- Understanding Emotional Responses: When writing a reflective essay, it’s crucial to delve deep into the emotions experienced during a particular event or circumstance. This could range from joy and excitement to confusion, disappointment, or even grief.
- Navigating Complex Emotions: Sometimes, experiences can elicit complex emotions that are hard to navigate. Reflective writing offers a safe space to untangle these emotions and gain a clearer understanding of your emotional state.
- Articulating Emotional Growth: A reflective essay allows you to document your emotional growth. Overcoming a difficult situation, managing negative emotions, or discovering a new perspective all signify emotional growth that can be articulated through reflective writing.
- Identifying Emotional Patterns: By consistently writing reflective essays, you can identify patterns in your emotional responses. This can help you better understand your reactions to similar situations in the future.
- Recognizing Personal Triggers: Reflective writing can help you identify personal triggers that prompt specific emotional responses. This awareness can equip you to manage these triggers more effectively.
- Developing Coping Mechanisms: Understanding your emotions through reflective writing can lead to the development of effective coping mechanisms. Whether it’s mindfulness, meditation, or simply taking a walk, recognizing what helps you manage your emotions is a significant step towards emotional intelligence.
Reflecting on College Class Experiences
College classes offer rich experiences that can provide plenty of material for a reflective essay. Perhaps it’s a creative writing class that opened up a new world of expression for you, or a challenging science class that pushed you to your limits. Reflecting on these experiences can help you understand your academic journey, recognize your learning style, and appreciate the knowledge you’ve gained. Discuss the skills you’ve acquired, the challenges you’ve faced, the friendships you’ve made, and how these experiences have contributed to your growth and development.
Time Management Reflections: Overcoming Procrastination
Reflecting on time management can lead to valuable insights about your work habits and productivity. Have you struggled with procrastination? Have you discovered effective time management skills? A reflective essay on this topic can discuss your past struggles, the strategies you’ve employed to overcome them, and the progress you’ve made. By examining your relationship with time, you can uncover patterns, identify areas for improvement, and devise strategies to enhance your productivity.
Reflective Essay Examples: Lessons and Insights
One of the best ways to understand reflective essays is by reading and analyzing examples. These examples can serve as a guide, offering insights into the structure, tone, and style of reflective writing. Whether it’s an essay reflecting on personal growth, a transformative travel experience, or a powerful book that left an impression, reflective essay examples can provide inspiration for your own writing.
In conclusion, reflective essays are a powerful form of personal and creative writing. They allow you to explore your experiences, emotions, and growth in a deeply personal way. Through reflective writing, you can gain valuable insights about yourself and your journey, making it a rewarding and transformative process.
Latin American Women in Politics Essay Sample, Example
Latin American women Latin American women have faced significant challenges in the political arena throughout history. Despite the progress made in recent years, women still…
Combating Money laundering in the UAE Essay Sample, Example
Money laundering Money laundering is a global problem that poses a significant threat to countries’ financial systems. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no exception…
Personal Model of Leadership Essay Sample, Example
Leadership is a complex concept that has been studied and debated for centuries. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership, it is important for…
Things that make me happy Essay Sample, Example
Essay Sample Happiness is a subjective feeling that varies from person to person. What makes one person happy might not necessarily make another person happy.…
One year action plan with SMART Goals Essay Sample, Example
As the world evolves, so do our goals and aspirations. The best way to achieve any objective is by setting a plan that is Specific,…
Ideal Social Moral Code Essay Sample, Example
Upon reflection of the ideal social moral code, within one sentence, it would be: be constructive, not destructive. We have many holy books, manuals on…
Honesty Essay Sample, Example
Honesty is a principle that countless people value. In friendships, marriages, work relationships, and more, honesty is regarded as a prime ethical rule. However, there…
My Earliest Memory Essay Sample, Example
Recalling one’s earliest memories is no joke. We are not computers and knowing the exact sequence of one’s memories is no small task—in fact, I…
Urban Legends and Their Relation to Ancient Myths Essay Sample, Example
Myths have always been a perfect way for people to explain phenomena they could not understand. The unknown is always more frightening than something you…
Why Popular Motivation Techniques are Ineffective Essay Sample, Example
The times when employers needed to force workers to do their jobs have long gone. Compared to how things used to be around a century…
Travel Essay Sample, Example
To travel or not to travel? This is a common question many people ask. It is a pertinent inquiry, as salaried workers often do not…
Top 3 Hollywood Horror Movie Remakes That Are Worse Than Japanese Originals Essay Sample, Example
There is a joking rule that a remake is usually worse than the original movie. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. For example,…
Healthy Life Essay Sample, Example
Leading a healthy life entails many factors: the food we eat, the amount of exercise we get, our personal relationships, our physical well-being, our psychological…
Foreign Language Essay Sample, Example
Learning a language is not a joke, especially a second or third one. I have had a rocky relationship with learning languages, starting from my…
Motivation Essay Sample, Example
People are motivated to do activities by many different factors. Each person is prompted by various influences to complete what they dream of fulfilling. For…
Part-time Jobs Essay Sample, Example
My first job, and the first jobs of countless people, was a part-time position. I think this is partly because full-time jobs are more difficult…
Money Essay Sample, Example
JOIN OUR LEARNING HUB ✅ AI Essay Writer ✅ AI Detector ✅ Plagchecker ✅ Paraphraser ✅ Summarizer ✅ Citation GeneratorGet Free Tools By Johannes Helmold Money…
The Ideal Person Essay Sample, Example
JOIN OUR LEARNING HUB ✅ AI Essay Writer ✅ AI Detector ✅ Plagchecker ✅ Paraphraser ✅ Summarizer ✅ Citation GeneratorGet Free Tools By Johannes Helmold Each…
Famous Essay Sample, Example
By Johannes Helmold JOIN OUR LEARNING HUB ✅ AI Essay Writer ✅ AI Detector ✅ Plagchecker ✅ Paraphraser ✅ Summarizer ✅ Citation GeneratorGet Free Tools I…
Why I Still Use Facebook Essay Sample, Example
By Johannes Helmold JOIN OUR LEARNING HUB ✅ AI Essay Writer ✅ AI Detector ✅ Plagchecker ✅ Paraphraser ✅ Summarizer ✅ Citation GeneratorGet Free Tools It…
Remember Me
What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other
Forgotten Password?
Username or Email
Table of Contents
Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, reflection essay.
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 by Kristen Gay
At first glance, academic and reflection can sound like contradictory concepts. Writing an academic reflection essay often involves striking a balance between a traditional, academic paper and a reflective essay. In order to find this balance, consider the terms that encompass the title of the assignment
The term “academic” suggests that the writer will be expected to observe conventions for academic writing, such as using a professional tone and crafting a thesis statement. On the other hand, the term “reflection” implies that the writer should critically reflect on their work, project, or writing process, depending on the assignment, and draw conclusions based on these observations.
In general, an academic reflection essay is a combination of these two ideas: writers should observe conventions for academic writing while critically reflecting on their experience or project. Note that the term “critically” suggests that the writing should not merely tell the reader what happened, what you did, or what you learned. Critical reflection takes the writing one step further and entails making an evaluative claim about the experience or project under discussion. Beyond telling readers what happened, critical reflection tends to discuss why it matters and how it contributed to the effectiveness of the project.
Striking the proper balance between critical reflection and academic essay is always determined by the demands of the particular writing situation, so writers should first consider their purpose for writing, their audience, and the project guidelines. While the subject matter of academic reflections is not always “academic,” the writer will usually still be expected to adapt their arguments and points to academic conventions for thesis statements, evidence, organization, style, and formatting.
Several strategies for crafting an academic reflection essay are outlined below based on three important areas: focus, evidence, and organization.
A thesis statement for an academic reflection essay is often an evaluative claim about your experiences with a process or assignment. Several strategies to consider for a thesis statement in an academic reflection essay include:
- Being Critical: It is important to ensure that the evaluative claim does not simply state the obvious, such as that you completed the assignment, or that you did or did not like it. Instead, make a critical claim about whether or not the project was effective in fulfilling its purpose, or whether the project raised new questions for you to consider and somehow changed your perspective on your topic.
- Placement: For some academic reflection essays, the thesis may not come in the introduction but at the end of the paper, once the writer has fully explained their experiences with the project. Think about where the placement of your thesis will be most effective based on your ideas and how your claim relates to them.
Consider the following example of a thesis statement in an academic reflection essay:
By changing my medium from a picture to a pop song, my message that domestic violence disproportionately affects women was more effectively communicated to an audience of my classmates because they found the message to be more memorable when it was accompanied by music.
This thesis makes a critical evaluative claim (that the change of medium was effective) about the project, and is thus a strong thesis for an academic reflection paper.
Evidence for academic reflection essays may include outside sources, but writers are also asked to support their claims by including observations from their own experience. Writers might effectively support their claims by considering the following strategies:
- Incorporating examples: What examples might help support the claims that you make? How might you expand on your points using these examples, and how might you develop this evidence in relation to your thesis?
- Personal anecdotes or observations: How might you choose relevant personal anecdotes/observations to illustrate your points and support your thesis?
- Logical explanations: How might you explain the logic behind a specific point you are making in order to make it more credible to readers?
Consider the following example for incorporating evidence in an academic reflection essay:
Claim: Changing the medium for my project from a picture to a pop song appealed to my audience of fellow classmates.
Evidence: When I performed my pop song remediation for my classmates, they paid attention to me and said that the message, once transformed into song lyrics, was very catchy and memorable. By the end of the presentation, some of them were even singing along.
In this example, the claim (that the change of medium was effective in appealing to the new audience of fellow classmates) is supported because the writer reveals their observation of the audience’s reaction. (For more about using examples and anecdotes as examples, see “Nontraditional Types of Evidence.”)
Organization
For academic reflection essays, the organizational structure may differ from traditional academic or narrative essays because you are reflecting on your own experiences or observations. Consider the following organizational structures for academic reflection essays:
- Chronological Progression: The progression of points will reflect the order of events/insights as they occurred temporally in the project.
Sample Chronological Organization for a Remediation Reflection:
Paragraph 1: Beginning of the project
Paragraph 2: Progression of the remediation process
Paragraph 3: Progression of the remediation process
Paragraph 4: Progression of the remediation process
Paragraph 5: Progression of the remediation process
Paragraph 6: Conclusion—Was the project effective. How and why? How did the process end?
- By Main Idea/Theme: The progression of points will centralize on main ideas or themes of the project.
Sample Organization By Main Idea/Theme for a Remediation Reflection:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Discuss the message being translated
Paragraph 3: Discuss the change of medium
Paragraph 4: Discuss the change of audience
Paragraph 5: Was the change effective? Explain.
Paragraph 6: Conclusion
Remember that while these strategies are intended to help you approach an academic reflection paper with confidence, they are not meant to be prescriptive. Academic reflection essays are often unique to the writer because they ask the writer to consider their observations or reactions to an experience or project. You have distinctive ideas and observations to discuss, so it is likely that your paper will reflect this distinctiveness. With this in mind, consider how to most effectively compose your paper based on your specific project guidelines, instructor suggestions, and your experiences with the project.
Brevity – Say More with Less
Clarity (in Speech and Writing)
Coherence – How to Achieve Coherence in Writing
Flow – How to Create Flow in Writing
Inclusivity – Inclusive Language
The Elements of Style – The DNA of Powerful Writing
Suggested Edits
- Please select the purpose of your message. * - Corrections, Typos, or Edits Technical Support/Problems using the site Advertising with Writing Commons Copyright Issues I am contacting you about something else
- Your full name
- Your email address *
- Page URL needing edits *
- Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Featured Articles
Academic Writing – How to Write for the Academic Community
Professional Writing – How to Write for the Professional World
Authority – How to Establish Credibility in Speech & Writing
- Essay Guides
- Main Academic Essays
How to Write a Reflective Essay: A Quick Guide + Examples
- Speech Topics
- Basics of Essay Writing
- Essay Topics
- Other Essays
- Research Paper Topics
- Basics of Research Paper Writing
- Miscellaneous
- Chicago/ Turabian
- Data & Statistics
- Methodology
- Admission Writing Tips
- Admission Advice
- Other Guides
- Student Life
- Studying Tips
- Understanding Plagiarism
- Academic Writing Tips
- Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing
- Research Paper Guides
- Formatting Guides
- Basics of Research Process
- Admission Guides
- Dissertation & Thesis Guides
Table of contents
Use our free Readability checker
A reflective essay is a type of writing where you explore how an event, experience, or concept has influenced your development or perspective. It involves deep thinking, self-analysis, and personal reflection. In a reflective essay, you explai what you learned and how you changed as a result of that experience.
In this article, you will learn how to write a reflective essay, and how to highlight impactful experiences. A reflection essay seems easy as you don’t have to defend one’s point of view or convince the reader of something. But it has its challenges, so we recommend to keep on reading and find out everything you need to know about this type of essay. More complex examples are available down below.
What Is a Reflective Essay: Definition
A good question to start with is, “What is a reflective essay?” A reflective essay is a type of academic writing, in which the student has to test personal life experience/position towards a particular topic. Unlike in argumentative writing, the student does not have to defend the personal position. It does not require a complicated, professional language with some terminology. Do not define something - focus on sharing personal life experience, skills, development, and the most vivid examples to illustrate the topic.
Reflective Essay Format
A reflection essay student writes to meet the college writing standards has a different format from the one a magazine writer should present to reach the issue’s audience. However, each reflective paper has a similar outline. Reflective essay format depends on the general requirements your teacher provides. Some of them can ask for a specific format for your essay. APA writing style , MLA, and Chicago are the basic formats you can use. But if you don’t know exactly which formatting to use, you can use reflective essay apa format. This is the most common college essay format, so knowing its requirements is critical: Font: Times New Roman, 12 points Interval: Double interval Margins: 1 inch all round Page Numbers: Insert a title in the upper left corner of each page.
Reflective Essay Outline and Structure
Knowing how to write a reflective essay is essential. Even if you feel confident about your thoughts and knowledge, don’t start your writing without a clear and well-designed plan. Without logical essay structure , your essay will likely achieve lower marks. To avoid this situation, follow 10 easy steps we provided below. The first thing every student needs to understand how to write a good reflective essay is an effective, detailed outline. It has 3 typical sections: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Writing a reflective essay does not require any references – the only person to refer is the student who decides to share his thoughts & ideas. Let’s look at 4 main reasons to include an outline of reflective essays.
- An outline assists in laying out the details the student wants to leave after narrowing down the draft before working on the final paper. It prevents them from concluding the essay by realizing something is missing.
- An outline provides a clear, concise roadmap, which prevents the writer from taking curvy paths and facing dead ends. It shows the way like a compass in the woods.
- An outline helps to save a lot of time.
- An outline helps the potential readers, including teachers & classmates, to avoid falling off the main point when reading the essay partially.
Reflective essay outline is not much different from other types of essays. Use this reflective essay template in creating your perfect reflective essay:
How to Start a Reflective Essay: Creating an Introduction
Let’s figure out how to write a reflective essay introduction. Start with stating the primary focus of the personal reflection. Avoid being indirect and covering a range of topics; stay direct and concise by underlining the basic purpose of sharing a life experience. Professional Opinion:
“Giving a preview of the most exciting part of the story is a clue. The target reader may lack time to read the full piece from cover to cover. “There are many things I have learned from Marketing class. The most valuable lesson I have obtained is checking the effectiveness of 2 different approaches or services through utilizing so-called A/B testing.” It will make the reader think about what is special about this specific method. The reader will go on reading the body paragraphs to find out!” Professor Hemsworth, History & Anthropology teacher and academic writer at StudyCrumb
Another way to attract attention in the introductory paragraph is to come up with the intriguing hook for essay sentences like statistics, fact, quote, metaphor, rhetorical question, or joke. It depends on the mood of your reflective narrative.
Working on Reflective Essay Thesis
Some people may say that a reflective essay does not need a thesis. However, the example shared in the previous section talking about introduction is an example of the inspiring thesis statement. Include at least a reflective summary of the primary idea. The best idea would be to focus on previewing the peak of the plot development or highlighting the most valuable lesson learned. Let’s take a look at this little reflective essay thesis sample.
If you find it challenging, rely on our professional essay writing service and have your reflective essay done with academic standards in mind.
Writing a Reflection Essay Body Paragraph
What is the purpose of a body paragraph ? The body paragraphs of the reflective analysis interpret the way the author evolved or what he/she has absorbed from a particular life lesson (mention 3 different lessons). When writing your reflective essay you should mention the circumstances that forced you to pass a certain way. If you study a subject like English Literature or Arts, the paper’s prompt may ask you to describe how you changed as a field professional during the course of study. It is important to choose a specific interval of time to list the improvements. Compare & contrast the initial skills to the knowledge you have today. It is a great idea to tell the audience the ways various tasks, challenges, and lessons made the author grow since the beginning of his education. There is no need to conduct research to collect the supporting evidence. The author alone is responsible for defending every stated claim with the help of vivid samples that describe the topic the best. Example: In case the student has become more professional in the field of writing, he should list the causes of those changes (new English teacher, more practice at home, part-time job related to the field of writing). Who knows – some of the ideas may be used by other students to succeed!
How to Write a Reflective Essay Conclusion
The question of how to end a reflection paper is not less important. The last challenge is to prepare an impressive, inspiring, and powerful conclusion, which will make the target readers want to develop the same positive way. Write a reflective summary regarding the way you have changed over a given period of time. Share some forecast by looking ahead: how the experiences listed in the essay would influence further personal development. By looking at the past events, decide which of them was the most important. The good idea is to compare & contrast past and future events to stress the gaps between the obtained skills and experience, possibly gained in the future. Don't want to bother with writing any conclusions? Use a summary maker to generate e reflective essay conlusion in seconds.
How to Write a Reflective Essay: 10 Easy Steps
Writing personal reflection helps students to stress their individuality by highlighting various skills, knowledge, behavior, feelings, and even mood. The purpose of writing a reflective essay is to show how the person changed over time and what factors played an important role in those metamorphoses. Keep on reading this section to learn steps that will make your reflective writing perfect. Step 1: Think of the questions that interest you the most. It may be your experience, feelings, or an event in life. Make sure you analyzed the question well. Check credible sources and collect relevant information. Step 2: Decide what you want to write about. Make sure you know how to title an essay . Identify the topic. Step 3: After you decided on a topic, create an appealing title that will entice readers. Make sure your title is clear and to the point. Step 4: Create an outline of your essay. Step 5: Create an attention-grabbing hook for reflective essay. It should be some intriguing sentence or phrase that will arouse the interest of your readers. Step 6: Create an introduction of your reflection paper. Step 7: Think what you will include in the main body of your text. Start writing your body paragraphs. Step 8: Diversify your text with all the necessary details to make your readers see a clear picture of the environment in your story. It can be some place, people, atmosphere, etc. Step 9: After the reader is already familiar with the setting and characters, you should tell about yourself. What were your feelings? How has the situation affected you? What did you learn from this situation? Step 10: Conclude your reflective essay. Briefly summarize all the points that were mentioned in your text and provide a short moral with recommendations. You can use these steps as a checklist for your writing process. In case you need another step-by-step guide on response essays or any other type of writing, we've got you covered.
>> Read more: How to Write Essays
Reflective Essays Sample From Successful College Students
No recommendations, tips & tricks help the students to understand the way a particular assignment should look like in the end as effectively as the examples. The article contains one of the up-to-date reflective essay examples from a college student.
Writing a Reflective Essay: Bottom Line
Congratulations, we have learned how to write a reflective essay. We really do hope that our guidelines, tips, and examples were useful to you. Now, you can definitely work on your reflection assignment with a clear understanding of its structure and main points. So start your writing, and the sky's the limit!
In case you need more writing tips, feel free to browse our Blog. Be it a diagnostic essay , a synthesis essay or a response paper , we have tutorials for any type of writing.
Consider buying essay papers in case you've got other plans for the evening. Submit your details to StudyCrumb and get an astounding paper written in line with your requirements. Your assigned writer will handle any assignment with a blink of an eye!
Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a Reflective Essay
1. what is a common mistake when writing a reflective essay.
A common mistake when writing a reflective essay is to drift away from the subject you're writing about. It usually happens when you don’t stick to your initial plan. So plan your writing well and if you feel that you go a bit off topic, be sure that you return to the same topic you originally discussed.
2. What is the purpose of writing a reflective essay?
The purpose of writing a reflective essay is to make a student write about their personal experience, explore it, reflect on it and find positive and negative aspects. The goal is to analyze how a student changed due to this experience and what made them change. What lesson a student learned is an essential point in persuasive writing.
3. How to write a reflective essay on a book?
If you are writing a reflective essay on a book, the main task is to show your teacher how you reflect on a chosen book, how you understand the problem presented by an author. To create a good essay, start with brief information about the author. Then, without spoilers, briefly summarize the main points of a book. After that explain the main conflicts, share your impressions. Ask questions like: “What are the peculiarities of the main characters?”, “What did an author want to say by indicating the main issues?”
Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.
You may also like
24+ Reflective Essay Examples & Samples in PDF
Sometimes, it is our experiences that startled and challenged our own voyage that strengthens and improves us to be the best versions of ourselves. If your life experience greatly moved you, there is a certain essay that allows you to compose your own endeavor. In this article, read through because we will be discussing the fundamentals of writing a reflective essay.
They say that being wise is better than being knowledgeable. Wisdom is acquired through reflection of one’s experience as well as of the environment. The more we reflect the more we become aware of ourselves. We become mindful of our existence as well as the meaning of life and all the things that surround us. Here we present different formats of essays like essays in doc .
Reflective Essay Outline Template
- Google Docs
Size: 188 KB
Reflective Essay About Life Experience
- Apple Pages
Size: 142 KB
Reflective Essay Template
Size: 237 KB
Self Reflective Essay Template
Size: 114 KB
Personal Reflective Essay Template
Size: 126 KB
Personal Reflective Sample
High School Essay
- PDFReflective Essay Example Reflective Essay Example Reflective Essay Example
Size: 102 KB
Reflective Essay Outline
Size: 247 KB
Student Reflective Example
Size: 42 KB
Communication Reflective
Size: 66 KB
What Is a Reflective Essay?
A reflective essay is a written piece of literature that focuses on presenting and narrating a person’s experience and how it becomes an instrument towards a change of perception in life.
It is a way for a writer to share an important event in his/her life and how it affected him/her so that others may learn something from it. Reflective writing root on life-changing events. The writer shares a specific experience, provides a narration of the incident including the material elements. It offers a realization so that others who may have had the same experience can draw out a shared mutual lesson from it.
How to Write a Reflective Essay
To write a reflective short essay , you need to have the right disposition as well as the momentum. Remember that you are not just writing to say something but to share an important lesson in life.
1. Think of an important event. What you will be writing on your reflective essay is something that is rooted in your own personal experience or encounter of something. Think deep and concentrate. You may also see personal essay examples & samples.
2. Introduce your topic. In your introduction, write the concrete event or experience that you want to share. Pattern it in a story form.
3. Develop your point. Write the main content of your essay with at least three to five paragraphs supporting your main topic.
Final Reflective Essay
Size: 49 KB
Internship Reflective Essay
Size: 285 KB
Leadership Reflective Example
Size: 634 KB
Nursing Reflective Essay
Size: 331 KB
Research Reflective Example
Size: 155 KB
Tips on Writing a Reflective Essay
Writing a reflective essay is not persuasive writing where you have to convince your readers to accept your opinion. You simply have to share an experience.
1. Write a draft. Do not jump hastily onto formal writing . Write a draft where you can create a bulleted list of the things that you want to share.
2. Think logically. When presenting a story, do it in a chronological manner so that your readers can understand the plot. Do this as well when presenting your ideas.
3. Create a summary. Use a summary writing to briefly state your insights and to give your final thoughts of the topic.
Importance of a Reflective Essay
In this era that we currently live in, personal reflection can be considered a thing of the past. Because of the gradual change and development of the things around us, we find it difficult to pause and reflect on the things that happen to our lives. You may also see academic essay examples .
The importance of writing an essay is to present to us the things that we rarely encounter in our day-to-day activities. In this time when material things are all that mattered, we have become unappreciative of the abstract things like love, compassion, and mercy. We cannot learn these things from those electronic gadgets that keep us busy.
How to Start a Reflective Essay Correctly
As mentioned above, a reflective essay presents and narrates the experience of a writer and how it changes the way he/she perceives life. In a simpler sense, it talks about how the author reflected on a certain adventure. As an essayist, since it’s you who bears the story and lessons, you are the one who is responsible for expressing it.
Just like any other composition, it’s your introduction that catches the attention of the reader. Thus, in order for your essay to be fully read, it is important to start your essay remarkably. If you find writing an introduction for your reflective essay challenging, don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this section, we are going to slowly tackle the ways to compose a compelling introduction.
1. Being catchy is the key.
In writing your reflective essay, you must start with something that would captivate the readers right away. Since the purpose of the introduction is to grab some attention, you may include some unique and interesting facts or beliefs. In this part, showcase your creativity by adding an introduction that is written in a bizarre manner and not those that depict cliché experience. You may also utilize a highly moving quotation or a dialogue that would also be appropriate for your reader.
2. Write the thesis statement in one sentence.
A thesis statement refers to the sentence that carries the topic being discussed in the whole essay. Therefore, it bears the central idea in which your essay revolves around. In writing your own essay, construct this statement in a clear and concise sentence. In this way, the reader will have a better grasp of your topic and would be clearly oriented on what you want to convey. In most cases, thesis statements are written at the end of the introduction.
3. Stick to the first person POV.
Remembering that this essay is subjective and depends on the author’s interpretation, it is important to use the first person point of view. By using this POV, it would be easier for you to convey your thoughts and opinions, and it would engage you to the readers like you’re telling a story in person. The first person involves the pronouns I , me , my , and mine .
4. Keep it brief.
When it comes to writing your own essay, you must perceive what your readers feel or see in reading your composition. Always put into mind that readers also have their own time to spend, and without a mark in the writing industry, people won’t invest much time on reading your essay. Thus, it is important to keep your composition concise. You can utilize a paragraph of five to ten sentences in your introduction. Using this number of sentences, you must already express a complete and clear thought of an essay that is worth reading.
Reflective Essay Example
Size: 73 KB
Reflective Essay Assessment
Size: 99 KB
Reflective Essay Format
Size: 278 KB
Basic Reflective Essay
Size: 81 KB
Reflective Final Essay
Size: 85 KB
Sample Reflective Essay
Size: 38 KB
Simple Reflective Essay Example
Size: 193 KB
Standard Reflective Essay
Professional Reflective Essay
Size: 264 KB
Sample Reflective Essay in PDF
Size: 26 KB
AI Generator
Text prompt
- Instructive
- Professional
10 Examples of Public speaking
20 Examples of Gas lighting
Reflective Essay
Reflective Essay - Writing Steps with Examples, Tips, and Topics
Published on: Sep 21, 2020
Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024
People also read
Best Reflective Essay Topics & Ideas for Students
Reflective Essay Outline - Samples & Template
Share this article
A reflective essay is a form of writing where the writer reflects on a personal experience. Have you been assigned one but don’t know how to write?
Don’t fret!
Read on to learn in simple steps and follow the useful tips and examples given below. By the end of the blog, you will know everything you need to write an excellent reflective essay.
So let’s dive in!
On This Page On This Page -->
What is a Reflective Essay?
A reflective essay is a type of essay where the writer describes a personal experience or event that they observed or examined. Reflective writing involves thinking or pondering about a specific topic and writing your thoughts.
The content of a reflective essay is subjective. This means, the writer discusses the topic from their own personal point of view.
The writer presents their thoughts and reflections in a structured and coherent manner. It combines elements of storytelling, analysis, and introspection to create a narrative that engages the reader and offers valuable insights.
What is the Purpose of Reflective Writing?
Self-reflective essays are often used as an opportunity to explore your thoughts and feelings more deeply. The main goals of reflective writing are to;
- Make a connection between yourself and the text
- Analyze what you have heard, read, or seen
- Write subjectively and help identify your interests
- Think about what you have learned.
- Develop your critical and narrative skills
Here is a video that reflective writing in simple terms:
How to Write a Reflective Essay?
Reflective essays can be very difficult to write. However, following the steps below can make your writing process easier and more effective.
- Select a Meaningful Topic
The first step in writing a great reflective essay is to choose a good topic. You need to do a lot of brainstorming, mind mapping , and a bit of research to come up with a good topic.
Choose a topic that holds personal significance for you. It could be a specific event, a challenging situation, a memorable encounter, or a period of personal growth. Select a topic that allows for deep introspection and provides ample material for reflection.
- Reflect and Introspect
Ponder on your chosen topic and explore your thoughts, feelings, and reactions associated with it.
Ask yourself probing questions, such as " How did this experience impact me? " or " What did I learn from this situation? " This introspective phase forms the foundation of your essay, allowing you to dig deep and extract valuable insights.
- Develop a Clear Thesis Statement
Craft a concise and focused thesis statement that encapsulates the main point or lesson learned from your reflection.
This statement will serve as a guiding principle for your essay, ensuring that your writing remains coherent and purposeful.
- Chart an Outline
Create an outline that organizes your thoughts and provides a logical structure for your essay.
Divide your essay into sections including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Outline the main ideas, experiences, and reflections you plan to include in each section.
Want to learn more about how to create an outline? Here is our comprehensive reflective essay outline guide for you.
- Write a Catchy Introduction
Start your essay with an attention-grabbing opening that sets the tone and introduces the topic to the reader.
Engage your audience by sharing a captivating anecdote, posing a thought-provoking question, or presenting a compelling quote. Clearly state your thesis to provide a roadmap for your reflective journey.
- Write Main Body Paragraphs
In the body paragraphs, vividly describe the experiences or events that shaped your reflection. Use sensory details and specific examples to paint a clear picture for your readers.
After describing the experience, delve into the reflection and analysis phase. Explore the significance of the experience and its impact on your personal growth, beliefs, or worldview.
Analyze the reasons behind your thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
- Provide a Thoughtful Conclusion
Wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and reinforcing the significance of your reflection. Share the insights and lessons you gained from the reflection process.
For instance, what did you learn about yourself? How did this experience contribute to your personal development?
Be honest and authentic in your reflections, demonstrating vulnerability and self-awareness. Don't present new information here, but summarize everything that happened in the essay.
- Revise and Edit
Once you have completed your first draft, revise and edit your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Pay attention to the flow of your ideas, sentence structure, and word choice.
Seek feedback from peers or mentors to gain different perspectives and refine your essay further. This way, your final draft will turn out to be an interesting and valuable piece of work.
Paper due? Why Suffer? That's our job.
Reflective Essay Structure
The structure of the reflective essay is the same as other types of essays. It contains an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Here is the basic reflective essay format that you can use:
Letâs learn about the components of a reflective essay in depth:
Reflective Essay Introduction
A reflective essay also starts with an introduction, like all other essays. An essay introduction should be brief but relevant to the topic. In this part, you can give a general overview of the topic to the reader.
Start your essay with a strong hook statement . The hook statement is the first thing that the reader reads in the introduction part.
In the introduction part, state the thesis statement but donât give too much information in this statement.
Remember that in this part, only give a brief overview and donât write in-depth information.
Reflective Essay Body Paragraphs
Writing the body paragraphs is the hardest part of the reflective essay. Some writers spend a lot of time writing body paragraphs. If the outline is not created well, then writing the body paragraphs is a time-consuming process.
It is the most important part of the essay and follows the proper chronological order. Describe the main issues in order related to the described event.
The body paragraphs are well-focused, and it is not a summary of your experience. Each body paragraph end with a concluding sentence.
Reflective Essay Conclusion
The conclusion is the last part of the essay. In this part, you should provide a summary of the entire essay. Moreover, do not repeat the same point again and again.
Make sure the conclusion of the essay is powerful and encourages the readers to do further research. In this concluding part, restate the thesis statement, and no need to add new ideas.
Tips for Writing a Reflective Essay
Here are some writing tips that can make your reflective essay even better, so try following these in your essay:
- Choose the right topic for the essay, make sure that you have enough information
- Use an engaging and narrative tone throughout the essay with an overall emotion or theme in mind.
- Try to make the essay credible and informative
- Reflect critically on the significance of the experiences and analyze the reasons behind your thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
- Incorporate relevant theories, concepts, or academic frameworks to deepen your analysis.
- Be authentic and honest in sharing your insights and lessons learned from the reflection process.
- Connect your personal experiences to broader contexts or universal themes to create a relatable and impactful essay.
- Support your thesis statement with strong examples and arguments.
Ref lective Essay For mat
Two commonly used formatting styles for academic writing are the APA and the MLA styles. Each style has its unique guidelines for formatting, including structure, citations, and references.
APA Style Reflective Essay Format
Formatting your essay in APA requires the following:
- Times New Roman
- Double line-spacing
- 1" margins
- Page number on the top-right
- Include the Title Page, Main Body, and References.
MLA Style Reflective Essay Format
The MLA style recommends the following formatting guidelines:
- 1â margins
- Last name and page number in the top-right
- âWorks Citedâ section on the last page
Reflective Essay Examples
Check out some reflective essay samples that can give you a better understanding of the reflective essay.
Reflective Essay Example for High School
Personal Reflective Essay Example
Reflective Essay Outline
Example of Reflective Essay on Learning Experience
Reflective Essay Example About Life Experience
Reflective Essay Topics - H2
In a reflective essay, you write about your personal experience, thoughts, and significant moments of your life. Choosing the right topic for the essay sometimes becomes a challenging task, but here are some ideas that can help you out.
- A surprise that you prepared for someone
- The first thing you think of in the morning
- When someoneâs words made you cry
- When you laughed uncontrollably with someone
- Swimming in a mountain lake
- The experience of an earthquake or natural disasters
- A vacation place that you liked in particular
- Crossing a bridge and looking out over the water.
- Your favorite persuasive essay topic
- Place where you feel safe
Need more topics to get your thoughts running? Here are more reflective essay topics to help you out!
Writing a reflective essay can be a transformative experience as you discover your own thoughts and feelings along the way. By following the writing steps and tips, you can enhance this experience by writing an essay that is interesting, informative, and engaging.
So donât hesitate to start writing a reflective paper today! Youâve got everything you need.
Still, if you are in a race against time or canât write your essay for other reasons, donât despair. The auto essay writer at CollegeEssay.org is here to help you out!
We also have a team of expert writers ready to assist you 24/7. Whether you need help with refining your ideas, structuring your essay, or polishing the final draft, we can lend our expertise.
So hire our custom writing service to receive customized and professional reflective essays within the deadline!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paragraphs are in a reflective essay.
In a reflective essay, you should follow a 5-paragraph format. However, you can add more paragraphs, and it depends on your chosen topic.
What is the goal of a reflective essay?
Writing a reflective essay aims to explore how they have changed and learned from their experiences.
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
- 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.
Reflections on Black History Month 2024
In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week,” and fifty years later, President Gerald Ford designated the month of February “Black History Month” in 1976. This year’s theme recognizes the Arts, a recognition of the significant impact of Black arts on US culture.
While the arts are essential to our wellbeing, not a frivolous addition, this year’s theme—no doubt selected way in advance—feels out of step with the current challenges. US history is full of advances of Black rights followed by subsequent pushback.
In 2020, amidst a historic pandemic and stark racial disparities, the world witnessed the brutal murder of George Floyd, prompting a willingness to recognize the persistence of US racism.
In 2024, teachers, scholars, artists, and activists—particularly those advocating for a comprehensive examination of America’s complex past—find themselves navigating tumultuous waters. Articulation of unwelcome facts may even lead to the curtailment of free speech. I read with interest and concern a commentary by Khalil Gibran Muhammad , who reflects on how scholarship that focuses on racism can enter the crosshairs.
Many Black artists lent their skills to the movement for Black rights. Here are a few examples:
- 14 Black Artists Who Changed Art History
- The Black Arts Movement and the Power of Resistance
- Black Women Artists: Shattering Stereotypes and Reclaiming Narratives
- National Gallery of Art: Black History Month
- Kara Walker
- Romare Bearden
In 2024, let Black History Month be a time for reflection, education, creativity, and advocacy. At FXB, our efforts are dedicated to supporting marginalized and excluded groups. By understanding the interconnectedness of historical struggles, recent challenges, and the path forward, we can contribute to an inclusive and equitable future for all.
— Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH Director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights
Featured image: Creative Commons Still Life with Roses by Charles Ethan Porter, Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, is licensed under CC0 .
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Reflective Essay Examples 50 Best Reflective Essay Examples (+Topic Samples) If you have ever read reflective essay examples, you would know that these types of written works examine the writer's life experiences.
For example, a student may be assigned to watch a film or visit a museum exhibition and write a reflective essay about the film or exhibition's themes. Reflective essays can also be pieces of personal writing, such as blog posts or journal entries. Reflective essay vs. narrative essay
Examples of Reflective Essays Now that you have an understanding of what it takes to write a reflective essay, check out a few examples for inspiration. My Little Brother This essay example is written at a middle or high school level, reflecting on the arrival of a younger sibling.
Here are some examples: whether or not you think aliens exist, your favorite TV show, or your opinion on the outcome of WWII. You can write about pretty much anything. There are three types of reflection paper; depending on which one you end up with, the tone you write with can be slightly different.
6 min read Share the article 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.
1. Answer key questions. To write a reflection paper, you need to be able to observe your own thoughts and reactions to the material you've been given. A good way to start is by answering a series of key questions. For example: What was your first reaction to the material? Was it positive, negative, or neutral?
Purpose Reflective essays are designed to stimulate your learning by asking you to think about ("reflect on") what you learned from a particular text, event, or experience. The process of thinking consciously about your learning deepens and reinforces that learning. Setting Yourself Up to Reflect
Here are some typical examples of reflective essay formats that you may have to write: A focus on personal growth: A type of reflective essay often used by tutors as a strategy for helping students to learn how to analyse their personal life experiences to promote emotional growth and development.
The most common subjects in a reflective essay include the following: A significant experience that happened once Something you did many times (a repeated experience) Something you imagined A special place or object Something you've read, watched, seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or heard. Topic Ideas for a Reflective Essay
Example 1: Retelling In Lecture 1 we learnt about shareholders and stakeholders. The lecturer said it is important for businesses to think about their stakeholders. Stakeholders are any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the achievement of the organization's objectives.
This example uses the headings described above to demonstrate the kinds of things you might need to put in each section. The references are made up, as is the content of the assignment, it is purely to show how a reflective assignment might look. Assignment - write a reflection of around 1000 words about an incident which
Reflective essays can be built around a single individual experience, but will often draw on a series of individual experiences - or one long experience, for example an internship, that is broken into individual experiences.
Notably, scholars such as Aberbach and Rockman (2002), Hoffmann-Lange (1987) as well as Zuckerman (1972) have also shown that elites prefer to engage with open-ended questions so that they can articulate their views coherently.
An essay diary can take the form of an annotated bibliography (where you examine sources of evidence you might include in your essay) ... Some examples of reflective writing Social Science fieldwork report (methods section) The field notes were written by hand on lined paper. They consisted of jotted notes and mental triggers (personal notes ...
Reflective Essay Examples and Samples Reflecting on a chosen topic requires deep insight, making reflective essays difficult to write. Read our samples of reflective essays to gain a greater understanding of how to write one on your own. Write better with AI!
Consider the following example for incorporating evidence in an academic reflection essay: Claim: Changing the medium for my project from a picture to a pop song appealed to my audience of fellow classmates.
Writing a reflective essay on a book isn't that different from a reflection on oneself. We advise you to begin with a brief introduction to the writer. Then, write a synopsis without spoilers focusing on the principal characters. Next, define the topics the writer addresses and discuss the references and influences.
Mind the length: Reflection papers aren't long essays. Rather, like a cover letter, they're concise and to the point. Keeping reflection papers between 300 and 750 words is a good rule to follow. Be clear and concise: As noted above, it's important to use your words efficiently in a reflection paper. Convey your thoughts on the experience ...
24+ Reflective Essay Examples & Samples in PDF Sometimes, it is our experiences that startled and challenged our own voyage that strengthens and improves us to be the best versions of ourselves. If your life experience greatly moved you, there is a certain essay that allows you to compose your own endeavor.
Reflective Essay Example #1: A Personal Account of Anorexia Even though this essay isn't very long, it's a good example of the core component of the reflective essay: an explanation of how an event or experience affects the writer. The writer of this essay discusses a personal struggle with anorexia.
A diary entry is an example of such writing. People often cast their minds back to re-experience various moments that happened in the past. However, they usually don't dive into analyzing these occurrences. Nor do they reflect on the outcomes of such events.
A Reflective Essay is a form of writing that describes a writer's thoughts, feelings, actions, or a particular occurrence in a writer's life.. A reflective essay is about your reflection that brings out a specific image that the reader tends to picture after reading it. When writing a reflective essay, you have to give detailed information about the event or a particular action.
A reflective essay is a type of essay where the writer describes a personal experience or event that they observed or examined. Reflective writing involves thinking or pondering about a specific topic and writing your thoughts. The content of a reflective essay is subjective. This means, the writer discusses the topic from their own personal ...
Conflict reflective essay As a paramedic working frontline for an ambulance service, we are first contact for many patients for an acute compliant and with the increased NHS pressures caused by the global pandemic where service users can wait longer for a response this can lead to heightened levels of frustration.
Essay Sample: Reflection - Lessons From Plato's The Republic Free essays. My List(0) About us; Our services. Essay topics and ideas ... Reflective Essays. Research Paper Essays. Rhetorical Essays. Satire Essays. Similarities and Differences Essays. Character Analysis Essays. Symbolism Essays.
In 2024, let Black History Month be a time for reflection, education, creativity, and advocacy. At FXB, our efforts are dedicated to supporting marginalized and excluded groups. By understanding the interconnectedness of historical struggles, recent challenges, and the path forward, we can contribute to an inclusive and equitable future for all.