How to Write a Reflection Paper

How to Write a Reflection Paper
Reflection papers are aimed to shape understanding of an article, lesson or other content. They are written in subjective style and convey personal considerations of students regarding the material. 


However, it is recommended to maintain academic style of writing in such papers in order to avoid a lot of subjectivity. Let's examine how to write reflection papers.

1. Find the main theme of given material

Upon finishing reading the material assigned to you, take some notes describing your experience. Summarize your thoughts in several sentences.

2. Determine the most important material

In you were reading a lecture you can take notes about specific quotations and or summarize the main topic. In order to describe your experience, make notes which describe it as specific as you can. Be sure to include images and sounds of your experience as well.

3. Ask yourself questions to help to establish your response

If you struggle to make a proper response, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What was the reason why the material captured your interest? How was your experience challenged in emotional and cultural terms?
  • Does the material provoke you to change view on a certain subject? Were your previous thoughts supported by the content? What evidence was used to change you own point of view?
  • Are there some important themes that were left unaddressed? Did you change your vision of the subject?
  • Was there any similarity with some previous works you have read? Were the ideas in the material consistent?
Now it is time to get to writing. Keep in mind that common reflection papers should consist only between 300 and 700 words. On the other hand, ask your tutor about necessary length of your paper. It is important to follow the recommendations of the tutor.

By the end of your introduction where you give information about the material you have read, you need to include one sentence which is supposed to explain how you get from your expectations to the conclusion. This sentence is called a thesis statement. When developing your thesis, describe how your expectations were changed or whether they were changed at all. You are providing the focus of your paper through this sentence so be careful and attentive.

The body of your paper should include your conclusions regarding the material. They should be thoroughly explained. Besides you need to explain how you have arrived at such conclusions. It is recommended to write a separate paragraph on each your conclusion.

Reflection paper should be ended with summary. Here you need to explain overall feeling that you had reading the paper. This summary should logically follow your main body paragraphs. Majority of your main points have to support your final conclusion.

Do not describe something about yourself. Even if you do not feel comfortable about a particular topic, it is wise not to argue in your paper.
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