A reflective essay is a type of academic essay writing in which you can share your ideas and findings on a certain topic. This kind of paper can convey your thoughts and feelings in connection with an event or a text. It is often less informal than a business report and more official than a journal article. These thoughts discuss how a certain subject has influenced your views.
You may effectively examine a situation or prescribed material by adhering to these eight stages for writing a reflection paper. An excellent reflection paper has a formal attitude while conveying your thoughts on a certain topic. You can consider the following guides mentioned below:
1. Analyse and summarize the data
Prior to writing the reflective essay, it is crucial that you go through the readings. For guidance in comprehending the text's substance, you can look into related texts and authorities. You might have to go over a specific incident in some reflection papers.
To organise your essay, you might include a one- to three-paragraph summary of the text or event. You can include the author's argument and thesis statement in your summary of a nonfiction piece. You can give a storyline synopsis if the book is fictitious. A brief expression of your opinion about the work may be included in your summary, which does not need to be an identical replica of the original text. A summary of your thoughts and reasons in favour of them can also be written.
2. Examine the information
Before writing the reflective essay, you usually examine the thesis, argument, or content of the material. Your assessment of the academic content could be included in your reflective essay. You can express your disagreement with the text's claims and provide the justification for your opinion. Typically, after reading the content, you pose important questions and note any potential flaws you see. You can go through and cite other materials that back up your claims. You may also include examples from your own life that contradict the essay made in the reading.
Your thought process, concepts, and supporting arguments may all be outlined using a mind map. When writing your analysis and evaluation, be sure to emphasise any questions you had when reading the content.
3. Select a subject.
To choose a subject for the essay, you might refer to your analysis of the incident or your reading material. Selecting a theme is crucial since it directs your writing's argument and tone. It also aids in the organisation of your essay. By identifying recurring themes or findings from the investigation and noting any arguments that strongly influenced your ideas, you might select a theme.
4. Connect the ideas in your sentences
You may establish links between your points as you write and plan the order of your article's paragraphs. These connections could make it possible for you to create a thorough outline that links your viewpoints to the arguments put forth in the article. It might serve as a rough draught of your thoughts, assumptions, and queries on the subject of the reflective essay. This framework might help you link your thoughts and gain a deeper understanding of your arguments.
5. Begin with an introduction
The goal and subject of the paper are discussed in your introduction paragraph. It includes the thesis statement and clarifies how you feel about the subject. An overview of the essay, publication, or experiences the paper analyses can also be included in your introduction. You can make use of the paper's topics and topic while writing your introduction.
6. Write the body of the paper
An extensive study of your essay may be found in this part of your reflective essay. References, examples, and your supporting arguments are all acceptable. In the body of the essay, you can divide your argument into three to four paragraphs, each of which can present a fresh concept. You could also include exact quotes from the article or book you used as the basis for your reflection paper. Usually, you link your points together and make sure that each paragraph follows a logical order.
7. Complete with a strong conclusion.
The concepts and justifications presented in your essay are summed up in your conclusion. You might discuss what you discovered after analysing the article or your own experience. Additionally, you might reiterate and stress your viewpoint.
8. Proofread and edit
Before submitting your essay, make sure you follow the essay guidelines and structure given from your university. Make sure proofread and language edit the essay before submitting. You can request the opinion of your colleagues, students, and professors on the essay. You can dccheck the paper's recommendations, if there are any, to make sure you followed them all.
