Want to know how to write a reflection paper for college or school? To do that, you need to connect your personal experiences with theoretical knowledge. Usually, students are asked to reflect on a documentary, a text, or their experience. Sometimes one needs to write a paper about a lesson or a movie.
This assignment tests your critical thinking rather than your summarizing skills.
Struggling with a reflection paper? This article by our custom-writing experts will help you ace this task. Here you’ll find:
A guide on how to write a reflection paper;
Outlining and formatting tips;
Reflection paper example & a template.
Contents
🤔 What Is a Reflection Paper?
✅ Reflection Paper Types
✍️ Step-by-Step Guide
❓ FAQs
🤔 What Is a Reflection Paper?
A reflection essay is a type of academic assignment in which you connect theories learned in class with your personal experience and knowledge. Additionally, you analyze your feelings and attitudes towards the subject. It helps you understand how to put theory into practice.
For this assignment, the ability to use reflective thinking is vital. What does it mean? It means that you should be able to look back at and analyze:
what you did;
how and why you did it;
how it made you feel;
what you could have done differently.
Consequently, your reflection essay should include the following components:
| ✔️ | Description | What happened? What did you do? |
| ✔️ | Feelings and emotions on the topic | How did you react to it? |
| ✔️ | Evaluation | Was it interesting or valuable? Why? |
| ✔️ | Analysis | What did you learn? How is it connected to your knowledge? Are there any gaps in your knowledge? |
| ✔️ | Action-plan | How are you going to fix the knowledge gaps? |
So, let’s make clear what a reflection paper is and what it’s not. Have a look at this comparison:
| ✔️ A reflection paper is: | ❌ A reflection paper is not: |
|---|---|
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When it comes to topics, a reflexive paper may be about many things, such as:
an analysis of your work;
your impressions from attending a class or a speech;
an experience that has influenced your worldview;
a solution to a problem;
the steps to improve your academic progress.
Once you have a topic idea, the next step is to prepare for writing.
✅ How to Write a Reflection Paper: Tips for Various Types
Before your start working on your essay, let’s find out what exactly you should deal with. There are several different types of reflexive essays. Make sure to choose the one that suits you best.
We have prepared three classifications, depending on when, how, and what you will reflect.
Depending on time, reflection papers can be:
Reflection-in-action. You study your actions under certain circumstances. Usually, it’s a patient-therapist interaction. In this case, you observe, feel, and analyze the situation you are engaged in.
Reflection-on-action. You study your actions after the situation has already occurred. It’s crucial to use your critical thinking here as well.
Depending on the manner, reflexive essays can be:
Experimental. You make connections between theory and practice by conducting an experiment. It’s suitable for sociology, education, business, psychology, forensics, and nursing.
(Video) How to Write a Reflection Paper | Step by Step GuideReading. You connect the ideas from the texts and your interpretations to show your comprehension.
Depending on the content, reflective writing can be:
a journal (to reflect on your learning in the course)
a learning diary (to evaluate group work)
a logbook (to reflect on your experiments, analyze past actions, and plan future ones)
a reflective note (to express your attitudes towards an issue)
an essay diary (to write an annotated bibliography, to analyze and critique the sources)
a peer review (to present your feedback on other students’ work or teamwork)
a self-reflection essay (to examine and comment on your working process).
Personal Reflection Paper: Writing Tips
In a personal reflection paper, you need to present your attitudes, emotions, feelings, and experiences. How do you do it?
Here is the answer:
Think about an experience that evokes particular emotions.
Describe what happened: mention the participants and their actions.
Demonstrate your emotions and feelings. It’s important to show them rather than just tell. The trick is to make the reader feel the same. You can do it by using imagery and various descriptive techniques.
Analyze your experiences and make connections with your present-day life. You can relate them to your study material or relevant theories and concepts.
Conclude with your plans. Tell the readers how you’re going to implement this knowledge.
These reflective writing examples should give you an idea of what your writing should be like and what to avoid. First, let’s have a look at a poor example:
Example:
I wanted to become a painter. I liked to paint very much. Once I saw a painting of Claude Monet and decided to become like him. I bought paints and a canvas. My first work was not very good, but I didn’t give up. My future pictures were much better.
As you can see, it’s not very informative. There’s no analysis of an experience, and connections are not made. It also lacks interesting descriptions.
Now, check out this good example:
| Description of an event. | Art has always been my passion. When I saw the works of Claude Monet, I fell in love with them. It was a turning point because painting has become a significant part of my life since then. |
| Experiences depicted using evocative language. | When I took the brush for the first time, it felt miraculous. When I started to paint, it was a feeling of happiness and freedom. |
| Analysis with references to other experiences. | Painting has taught me patience and concentration. I also understood that one needs to work hard to achieve one’s goals. |
| Conclusion with some plans for the future. | Now my paintings are much better than before, thanks to my persistence. I will continue developing my skills and applying them in my everyday life. |
Critical Reflection Paper: Writing Tips
In a critical reflection essay, you assess how theories can be applied in practice, examine causes and consequences, and find solutions to problems. It’s all about evaluating and changing your attitude towards an issue rather than summarizing events and details.
The critical reflection process consists of two stages:
Analysis. Ask critical questions to find the core of the issue and your role in it.
Articulation. Organize your ideas into a structured essay.
How exactly can you make an analysis?
Have a look at the following three-stage model. All you should do is answer the following questions:
What? During the first stage, you describe the details of the issue.
So what? The second stage requires you to relate your theoretical knowledge to the situation you discuss. The way you do it depends on the questions you are going to ask yourself while writing. There are three major perspectives to choose from:
| Academic perspective | How did the situation help you comprehend the theory? Did it confirm or challenge your ideas? Did it help you identify your strengths and weaknesses? | Example: This situation has helped me understood that people rarely think about high-level needs if their basic ones are not met. |
| Personal perspective | What role did the situation play? How do the consequences matter for you? What about your assumptions and biases: were they confirmed or refuted? What was the most interesting, challenging, or unexpected part? | Example: I was convinced that people usually judge each other based on their abilities rather than their social status. However, the following situation has shown that status plays a crucial role in our social image. |
| Systems perspective | How did the situation influence the system of organization? Did anyone benefit? How did it enhance your comprehension of the organization or system? | Example: The following situation has changed my comprehension of the whole healthcare system. I didn’t think that nurses could have such a significant impact on the process of recovery. Their psychological and medical help is priceless. |
Now what? At this stage, you think about the future outcomes. Ponder on how this situation will shape your further experiences.
As soon as the analysis stage is over, you’re ready to relate your thoughts and ideas in written form.
How to Write a Reflection Paper on a Book
Now, let’s see what strategies can help you write an excellent reflective essay on a book. First of all, remember that this assignment is not about summarizing the plot. It’s about analyzing and connecting the ideas presented in the text with your knowledge.
To write a perfect reflective paper on a book, take the following steps:
Analyze the text. Explore the ideas, purpose, and theoretical framework of the book. State its main point clearly and concisely. Then, discuss the information that interested you the most. Mention what emotions it evoked, and say whether the ideas in the book are new to you.
Expand on your ideas. Describe how this information shapes your understanding of the subject. Also, state whether you agree with the author’s arguments.
Establish connections. Show how the book helped to broaden your knowledge. Mention whether it had challenged your assumptions.
The following sample will help you see how you can structure your ideas:
| Ideas are analyzed | In the book Radical Forgiveness by Colin Tipping it is stated that the concept of forgiveness is transcendent. While some information covered in the book is new and interesting to me, there are also ideas that I disagree with. |
| Ideas are expanded | According to Tipping, sometimes our rational mind can’t solve the problem, and we need to rely on some supernatural powers. I agree that we shouldn’t let our instincts control our life. At the same time, I find the concept of higher powers questionable. |
| Connections are made | This book has changed my attitude towards the concepts of guilt and forgiveness. It has also enhanced my understanding of psychology. |
How to Write a Reflection Paper on an Article
Usually, a reflection paper on an article is concerned with critiquing a written text or a speech. These strategies will help you write it:
Focus on your attitudes and feelings towards the article. You may mention your expectations and whether they were met.
Example:
I believed this book would help me understand the difference between traditional and radical forgiveness. I thought these two types had a lot in common. However, it turned out they are entirely different.
Refer to the passages that interested you the most: quote directly, paraphrase, or summarize them.
Include your subjective opinion: it’s important not to overdo it.
Combine formal and informal vocabulary to make your writing more expressive.
✍️ How to Write a Reflection Paper: Step-by-Step Guide
Want to know what exactly you should do to get an excellent reflexive essay? Read the following tips. They will help you write any type of reflection essay.
Reflection Paper Writing: Before You Start
Let’s start with some pre-writing strategies. Here are the main steps:
Step 1: Brainstorm ideas. Identify your central theme and write a summary of essential points.
Example:
Main theme:Psychological reasons for eating a lot of sweets
Summary:
Usually, I eat sweets when I’m sad or upset.
I have read that people who lack love and positive emotions and feelings try to substitute it with food.
Watchingadocumentaryhas evoked my interest in this topic.
My attitude towardssweets has changed after research.
Step 2: Analyze your ideas. Then, connect your experiences with theoretical knowledge.
The following list of questions will help you navigate your response.
| ⏳ “Before” questions | ⏰ “During” questions | ⌛ “After” questions |
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Step 3: Organize your reflection essay. This list will make it clear what the writer does and doesn’t do in a reflective essay. Keep it in mind while planning what to include in your paper.
| ✔️ Dos: | ❌ Don’ts: |
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Here’s a bonus tip: to structure your reflection process, use the 4Rs model:
Report on the topic and its relation to the course.
Relate it with your personal experiences.
Reason out connections between your practical and theoretical knowledge.
Reconstruct the initial idea to make a conclusion.
Reflection Paper Template: What to Include
Now, let’s have a look at your essay’s structure. Your paper should consist of an introduction, main body, and conclusion:
Want to know how to write each part? Keep reading!
Reflection Paper Outline: How to Start
The introductory part of your essay should be catchy, informative, and well-organized. How can you do it? Follow these strategies:
Begin with an informative sentence in which you introduce the topic of your paper.
It should be specific: try not to include general and well-known information.
Make this sentence catchy. This will get your readers interested in the rest of your paper.
Write a couple of sentences with background information. For example, you can discuss:
major facts or details related to the situation or issue;
general themes covered in the text, interview, or video under analysis;
aspects of teamwork or an individual assignment;
your biases, expectations, and possible challenges.
Write a thesis statement at the end of your introduction. A strong thesis statement should do the following:
cover observations or conclusions made by you;
reveal a clear position on an issue;
include a plan on how to defend your opinions throughout the paper.
Don’t forget to reread your introduction each time before writing a new body paragraph. Make sure that all of them match the ideas covered in your introductory part and thesis statement.
Reflection Paper Outline: Body Paragraphs
So, what’s the next part? After you’ve presented your ideas in the introduction, you expand on them in the body paragraphs. The main point here is to cover one idea per paragraph and provide necessary supporting evidence. That’s why it is better to have no more than 3 body paragraphs.
Here’s what to include in this essay part:
| ✔️ | Evaluation of your experiences. | Pointout what you liked and disliked about the experience. Comparison and contrast can help you do it. |
| ✔️ | Analysis of acquired knowledge. | Reflect on what you have learned. Make connections between your previous and the newly acquired knowledge. Additionally, use direct quotes or paraphrase important information from books and articles. |
| ✔️ | Critique of the sources. | If you disagree with someone’s theory or opinion, you need to defend your perspective. Feel free to criticize some of the ideas, but make sure to provide relevant evidence. |
| ✔️ | The explanation of causes and effects. | Explain what lead you to your conclusions. It’s also worth mentioning some possible effects these opinions may have on your future. |
Reflection Paper Outline: Conclusion
Finally, any academic paper needs a conclusion. Don’t know how to write it? Check out the following helpful tips:
| ✔️ | Summarize the major points of your reflection essay. | You need to restate your thesis and mention essential aspects of each body paragraph. |
| ✔️ | Identify and describe your knowledge gaps. | It’s important to reflect on what you don’t know about the topic. It will help you find what to focus on in the future. |
| ✔️ | Explain how you are going to fill these gaps. | In your conclusion, write about your ideas on how to enhance your knowledge. |
| ✔️ | Devise an action plan. | Present the practical steps you’re going to take in the future. |
📃 Reflection Paper Examples & Formatting Tips
The moment when you stop writing your essay is really amazing. But then comes the final part: you need to format your paper appropriately. Don’t know how to do it? Look no further: we have prepared some formatting tips for you.
You only need to know which citation style to use. APA and MLA are the most popular citation styles. That’s why we have gathered the most helpful information on them. Check it out!
APA Reflection Paper Formatting
American Psychological Association (APA) format is mostly used in sciences, psychology, and education. Consider the following tips if you need to write an APA reflection essay.
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| Title page | Type the title of your essay in boldface using standard capitalization. Center it in the upper part of the page. Then, add the following:
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| Abstract |
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| Format |
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| In-text citations | Follow the author-date format.
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| References |
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Below you’ll find a downloadable reflection paper example in APA format.
Reflection Papers Format: MLA
Modern Language Association (MLA) formatting is widespread in the humanities. Do you need to write an MLA reflexive essay? Have a look at some essential formatting tips about this citation style below.
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| Title page | A title page is not required. You write your personal details and essay’s title on the page where your text starts. In the upper left-hand corner, write:
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| Abstract | In MLA format, you don’t write an abstract unless it’s required by the teacher. |
| Format |
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| In-text citations | Follow the author-page format.
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| References | Type the words “Works Cited” in the center of a new page.
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If you want to know more about MLA formatting, check out this free reflection essay sample. You can download the full version below.
Reflection Paper Example
Example:
The COVID-19 pandemic raised the need for educational means that will not potentially endanger the students’ health. As a result, the need for online classes sharply rose worldwide. However, it is difficult to conclude whether such practices have been successful so far, especially in regions that are considered least developed. According to my personal observations, online classes may represent a negative educational experience that will hinder its primary role as the means of passing on the knowledge.
My Experience with Online Classes: Pros and Cons
Download the free sampleMake sure to check out these reflection paper samples to get more ideas for your essay.
We hope that this article on a reflection paper has made things clear for you. In a nutshell, here are the main steps:
analyze the situation;
reflect on your feelings and experiences;
connect them to your theoretical knowledge.
We wish you the best of luck with your assignments. Don’t hesitate to share this article with your friends!
Further reading:
- (Video) How to Write a Reflection Paper?
10 Research Paper Hacks: Tips for Writing a Research Paper
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📌 What is a reflection in writing?
A reflection is a combination of critical thinking and learning. It’s a way of responding to one’s experiences, issues, and acquired knowledge. There’s no right or wrong in reflection writing, as every person reacts uniquely.
📌 How long should a reflection paper be?
It’s better to discuss the essay’s length with your instructor. However, if there are no specific instructions regarding word count, your reflective essay should contain between 300- 500 words (approximately 1-2 pages.)
📌 How do you write a reflection paper on a class?
To write an effectivereflexive essayabout a lesson,you need to:
1. describe the lesson’s contents;
2. express your ideas and feelings related to the class;
3. mention what you’ve learned and how it affected you.
📌 How do you write a reflection paper on a movie?
To write a reflection paper on a movie, followthetemplatebelow:
1. reflect on your emotions before, during, and after watching the film;
2. analyze your observations;
3. draw connections with the information learned in class.
🔍 References
General Format: APA Style: Purdue University
(Video) How to Write a Reflection Essay
FAQs
How do you write a good reflection paper example? ›
- Understand and summarize the material. ...
- Analyze the material. ...
- Select a theme. ...
- 4. Make connections between your opinions. ...
- Begin with an introduction. ...
- Write the body of the paper. ...
- End with a good conclusion. ...
- Proofread and edit.
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.
How do you start a reflection paragraph example? ›Begin with a great hook and a strong introduction. Pull the reader in without giving too much away, then provide a quick overview of the reflective topic. Next, in the body of the essay, move into the meat of the paper by describing your experiences and growth.
What is the best sentence to start a reflection? ›Reflection on self • At the time I felt that … Initially I did not question … Subsequently I realised … Linking theory to experience • This (concept) helps to explain what happened with …
What are some examples of reflection? ›Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves. The law of reflection says that for specular reflection (for example at a mirror) the angle at which the wave is incident on the surface equals the angle at which it is reflected.
What words should I use for reflection paper? ›- aspect(s) element(s)
- For me, the [most] significant.
- Previously, thought (did not think)
- At the time, felt (did not feel)
- At first, I.
- Initially, noticed (did not notice)
- Subsequently, questioned (did not question)
- Later. realised (did not realise)
As a large proportion of your reflective account is based on your own experience, it is normally appropriate to use the first person ('I'). However, most assignments containing reflective writing will also include academic writing.
How many paragraphs does a reflection paper have? ›Use a three-paragraph structure. In the first one, introduce the experience and how it influenced you. In the next one, compare the experiences of others. Then, tell what you learned from it.
What are the four most common lines of reflection? ›The most common lines of reflection are the x-axis, the y-axis, or the lines y = x or y = −x. Notice that the notation tells you exactly how each (x,y) point changes as a result of the transformation. Write the notation that represents the reflection of the preimage to the image in the diagram below.
How do you structure a reflection? ›Describe Describe what happened Feelings How did it make you feel? Evaluate What was good or bad? Analyse What sense can you make of the situation? (Include external issues) Conclude What general and specific conclusions can you draw? Action What next, or what will you do next time?
What is a good introduction for a reflection? ›
Your introduction should specify what you're reflecting upon. Make sure that your thesis informs your reader about your general position, or opinion, toward your subject. State what you are analyzing: a passage, a lecture, an academic article, an experience, etc...) Briefly summarize the work.
How long should a reflection be? ›A reflection paper should be between 300 and 500 words long, sometimes longer, and should report some of your thoughts about the reading in question. It may include questions about the reading, arguments on the issue raised by the author, and relevant point not raised by the author.
How do you reflect properly? ›- Use questions to structure your practice. Identify the important questions you want to ask yourself about habits, achievements and feelings, from the period of time you are reflecting on. ...
- Journal your reflections. ...
- Try breathing exercises. ...
- Welcome meditation into your practice.
Reflection is divided into three types: diffuse, specular, and glossy.
Does a reflection paper need an introduction? ›As is the case with all essays, your reflective essay must begin within an introduction that contains both a hook and a thesis statement. The point of having a 'hook' is to grab the attention of your audience or reader from the very beginning.
How long should an introduction be for a reflection paper? ›1. Brief Introduction. Start with three to four sentences that introduce a situation from your life experience that you will be writing about. The introduction should set the context for your reflection, and include an overview of the key concepts that will be discussed.
Do reflection papers have titles? ›Your reflective essay should be divided into four parts: Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.
How long should a reflective essay take? ›There is no minimum or maximum length for the reflective essay, but as a general guideline, it should be roughly 500-1200 words (~2-3 standard, double-spaced pages). Anything less than 500 words and you are unlikely to address the key ideas in enough depth to engage your readers.
What is the rule for the reflection answer? ›The rule for a reflection in the origin is (x,y)→(−y,−x) .
What is a reflection pattern? ›The shape or pattern in reflection symmetry is reflected across the mirror line and is same as the original. It is identical in size and is at the same distance from the line of symmetry as its other half. Every half is the reflection of its other counterpart.
What are the 5 R's of reflection? ›
The 5R framework for reflection will guide you through Reporting, Responding, Relating, Reasoning, and Reconstructing to make sense of a learning experience.
What does a reflective essay look like? ›A reflective essay is an essay in which the writer examines his or her experiences in life. The writer then writes about those experiences, exploring how he or she has changed, developed or grown from those experiences.
What are the four parts of a reflection paper? ›There are four main components of a reflection paper. These are the introduction, or introductory paragraph, the thesis statement, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion.
Why is reflection so difficult? ›Hazard: Ruminating or Obsessing
“Reflecting is very different than dwelling on something, which can cause greater stress, anxiety, and fear. This is another reason people may avoid reflecting because they don't know the difference,” said Kim Standeven, life coach, author and speaker.
A reflective paper is not a research paper.
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.
- Your opinions, beliefs and experiences.
- Similarities or contrasts to your own life (i.e. experiences you can identify with)
- How real or believable a subject / text is.
- Your emotional state at a given moment.
- Sympathy or empathy with characters.
Examples of reflective questions
What did I learn from the event that I did not know before? What links can I make between my experience and other events/ideas from my studies or workplace? How can I use the knowledge I have gained from this event/experience in the future? Are there other interpretations of the event?
A reflection paper should be between 300 and 500 words long, sometimes longer, and should report some of your thoughts about the reading in question. It may include questions about the reading, arguments on the issue raised by the author, and relevant point not raised by the author.
What is a good sentence for reflection? ›Example Sentences
She was looking at her reflection in the mirror. He saw the reflections of the clouds on the lake.
- Mistake #1: Thinking only about actions.
- Mistake #2: Reflecting in isolation.
- Mistake #3: Using only analytical skills.
- Mistake #4: Relying only on your own experience and preference.
How do you write a reflection step by step? ›
- Step 1: Look back at a situation or experience. Look back at something that happened or some thought you find yourself focusing on and describe it briefly.
- Step 2: Think in depth about your experience or thought. ...
- Step 3: Describe what you learned about yourself or your role. ...
- Step 4: Plan what you will do next.