essay vs reflection paper

The Difference between an Essay and a Reflection

If you're writing an essay, there are certain structures and guideline requirements to follow. If you're writing a reflection, the only guide is your emotions and your memories, and the only requirement is to be honest about what you think and how you feel.

Essay Guidelines and Structures

An essay is a short, informative piece of writing. It includes an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement, a body of at least three more paragraphs that relate back to the thesis statement, and a conclusion that sums up the writer's points and makes inferences about them.

The four main types of essays (persuasive, expository, descriptive, and narrative) each have their own guidelines to follow, and it's important to understand what is expected before outlining your essay and trying to organize your thoughts.

Reflection: Anything Goes

If you've been assigned a writing piece that is strictly a piece of reflective writing, you will most likely be given guidelines to follow that were chosen by the teacher or professor giving the assignment. However, there are no strict guidelines to follow in writing a traditional reflective piece and you don't have to wait for one to be assigned to practice and benefit from them. Think of it as being similar to writing in your diary or journal but with an attempt to explore why the experience you're writing made you feel the way you did and why you reacted to it in the way you did.

Reflective writing helps to capture your thoughts and feelings on an event, a current news story, a memory, or any other experience. Reflections can help you discover lessons you learned from that experience, develop your writing skills, and make sense of things that happen around you. The only real requirement is that you explore your own mind through your writing. You won't be just recounting a story or summarizing things that happened, reflection goes deeper into the writer's response to the subject being reflected upon.

The most important thing to remember about a reflection is that there is no correct or incorrect way to respond to any experience, so your reflection is not a judgment of your reactions. It is simply an exploration of them; therefore, exploring why you had that reaction and what past experiences you've had that caused you to react or feel the way you did is key to writing a good reflection.

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

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

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

Benefits of Reflective Writing Assignments

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

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

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

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

How to Approach Writing a Reflection Paper

Thinking About Reflective Thinking

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

1.  Reflective Thinking about Course Readings

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

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

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

2.  Reflective Thinking about Course Experiences

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

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

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

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

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

Structure and Writing Style

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

Pre-flection

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

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

Basic Structure and Writing Style

Reflective Background and Context

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

Reflective Interpretation

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

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

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

Reflective Conclusions

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

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

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

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

Problems to Avoid

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

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

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

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

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

Writing Tip

Focus on Reflecting, Not on Describing

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

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

Another Writing Tip

Helpful Videos about Reflective Writing

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Ai, ethics & human agency, 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.

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How to Write a Reflection Paper

Last Updated: March 27, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,810,442 times.

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

Things You Should Know

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

Sample Outline and Paper

Brainstorming

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

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

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

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

Organizing a Reflection Paper

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

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

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

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

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

As You Write

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

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

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

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

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

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

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

About This Article

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

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Difference Between Essay And Reflection Paper

• 1 Introduction
• 2.1 1. Structure
• 2.2 2. Subject matter
• 2.3 3. Purpose
• 2.4 4. Intention
• 2.5 5. Outcome
• 3 Complete your homework by segmenting essays and reflection papers separately.

Introduction

The writing process may differ in various situations and depending on the criteria. Like in childhood, we learned that writing poetry and a story are totally different, and these differences showcase the distinct nature of various papers.

In this article, the discussion will be on essay papers and reflection papers. While many people think that essay papers are almost the same as reflection writing as both share a thinking process in writing. But the distinction is seen in the delivery of these two writing processes.

For instance, in a reflection paper, you will not need to be tidily ordered as it involves both the processes of thinking and learning simultaneously. But, on the other hand, essays have orders and formations as well. So, you need to be in order and then follow your thinking process to prepare an essay.

Where the essay depends on guidelines and structures, you can be a bit frank with reflective writing.

So, the approaches are different, and this is where students find it difficult and confusing to complete their assignments. In addition, when you are on a tight schedule, tension will try to harm your writing process.

Difference between essay and reflection paper

The difference is there, and it will be more clear to you if we tend to state every feature of these two types of the writing process in front of you. Here is what we are exactly going to do.

This article will allow you to understand the crucial difference between these two types of the writing process, and thus, as a student, you will find it easy to complete your homework. Time is money and managing your time is important as a student, especially when you are dealing with your deadline.

Let’s find out the distinctions between essay and reflection papers so that you can avoid confusion and complete your homework on time.

1. Structure

Essays are mostly properly structured and are in order. Tidily ordered essays are mostly considered good essays. Commonly, an essay starts with an introduction, and the majority of it goes to the body part (discussion), and then there is a clear conclusion to state the thinking process.

Moreover, the subject matter needs to be clearly defined in your essay structure.

In contrast, reflective writings are ill-structured, and the subject matter may diffuse. There is no particular structure to reflective writing. In a reflection paper, you start writing, and you continue to do it without following any particular segment.

However, there are various reflective models that you can follow to give a concise shape to your reflective structure.

2. Subject matter

Subject matter in a written paper may seem like you are selecting the topic, and depending on it, you go through the matter. But this is not all.

The subject matter that you will select should not be personal for an essay . The subject matter needs to be clearly defined and specified with the help of proper subject area research.

Moreover, you will need to have a concise idea about which particular subject you are going for and how much information you can gather to complete the writing.

In contrast, a reflection paper and its subject matter can be personal because you will need to experience it before you write it. So, it’s a continuous process that may need more time than an essay to complete.

Moreover, the ideas in reflective paper writing can be drawn from the perspective of the writer. Your forged reflection will be the key to defining the subject matter.

As we have already defined, the purpose of essay writing is mostly pre-determined. When you select a topic, you are likely to know what type of data you are undertaking and how you are going to end it.

So, there is always a concise plan ready to go before you start writing. In this way, the purpose of your writing an essay is also pre-determined, and therefore the reader mostly knows the results.

On the other hand, the only purpose of reflective writing is to deliver a process of learning through thinking and development. This is a continuous development process that considers the gradual delivery of a new understanding of the particular subject matter.

4. Intention

Intentions of writing can change the whole scenario of a paper. For instance, if your intention is to let the audience understand your view on environmental sustainability, then your writing approach and even the subject matter will be based on an experimental process.

On the other hand, if your intention is to be a representative of some process, then the writing approach will be different from the above.

In the case of essay writing, it generally represents the learning of a subject matter. On the other hand, the reflection essay delivers the underlying purpose of the subject matter. And here, you will get to learn new ideas with the development of understanding.

The outcome is set with an essay, whereas the outcome is not confirmed with a reflection paper.

This means that you will get to know what is there in an essay and what it is going to discuss so far in the whole paper.

But reflective papers are not confirmed with their outcomes. This is because it deals with a personal point of view. A writer can forge you to understand their view depending on their perspectives and experience throughout.

Over the course of experience, you will be able to discover new ideas and outcomes in the eyes of a writer.

Complete your homework by segmenting essays and reflection papers separately.

If you are confused, the above-mentioned steps will help you to understand the different writing approaches regarding essays and reflection papers. In this way, you will be able to complete your homework as quickly as possible.

If you do not have much time left to cover both assignments, you can simply ask to do my homework for me . Their expert writers know the distinctions and will deliver you quality writing within the deadline.

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Structure of academic reflections

Guidance on the structure of academic reflections.

Academic reflections or reflective writing completed for assessment often require a clear structure. Contrary to some people’s belief, reflection is not just a personal diary talking about your day and your feelings.

Both the language and the structure are important for academic reflective writing. For the structure you want to mirror an academic essay closely. You want an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.

Academic reflection will require you to both describe the context, analyse it, and make conclusions. However, there is not one set of rules for the proportion of your reflection that should be spent describing the context, and what proportion should be spent on analysing and concluding. That being said, as learning tends to happen when analysing and synthesising rather than describing, a good rule of thumb is to describe just enough such that the reader understands your context.

Example structure for academic reflections

Below is an example of how you might structure an academic reflection if you were given no other guidance and what each section might contain.  Remember this is only a suggestion and you must consider what is appropriate for the task at hand and for you yourself.

Introduction

Identifies and introduces your experience or learning

• This can be a critical incident
• This can be the reflective prompt you were given
• A particular learning you have gained

When structuring your academic reflections it might make sense to start with what you have learned and then use the main body to evidence that learning, using specific experiences and events. Alternatively, start with the event and build up your argument. This is a question of personal preference – if you aren’t given explicit guidance you can ask the assessor if they have a preference, however both can work.

Highlights why it was important

• This can be suggesting why this event was important for the learning you gained
• This can be why the learning you gained will benefit you or why you appreciate it in your context

You might find that it is not natural to highlight the importance of an event before you have developed your argument for what you gained from it. It can be okay not to explicitly state the importance in the introduction, but leave it to develop throughout your reflection.

Outline key themes that will appear in the reflection (optional – but particularly relevant when answering a reflective prompt or essay)

• This can be an introduction to your argument, introducing the elements that you will explore, or that builds to the learning you have already gained.

This might not make sense if you are reflecting on a particular experience, but is extremely valuable if you are answering a reflective prompt or writing an essay that includes multiple learning points. A type of prompt or question that could particularly benefit from this would be ‘Reflect on how the skills and theory within this course have helped you meet the benchmark statements of your degree’

It can be helpful to explore one theme/learning per paragraph.

Explore experiences

• You should highlight and explore the experience you introduced in the introduction
• If you are building toward answering a reflective prompt, explore each relevant experience.

As reflection is centred around an individual’s personal experience, it is very important to make experiences a main component of reflection. This does not mean that the majority of the reflective piece should be on describing an event – in fact you should only describe enough such that the reader can follow your analysis.

Analyse and synthesise

• You should analyse each of your experiences and from them synthesise new learning

Depending on the requirements of the assessment, you may need to use theoretical literature in your analysis. Theoretical literature is a part of perspective taking which is relevant for reflection, and will happen as a part of your analysis.  

Restate or state your learning

• Make a conclusion based on your analysis and synthesis.
• If you have many themes in your reflection, it can be helpful to restate them here.

Plan for the future

• Highlight and discuss how your new-found learnings will influence your future practice

Answer the question or prompt (if applicable)

• If you are answering an essay question or reflective prompt, make sure that your conclusion provides a succinct response using your main body as evidence.  

Using a reflective model to structure academic reflections

You might recognise that most reflective models mirror this structure; that is why a lot of the reflective models can be really useful to structure reflective assignments. Models are naturally structured to focus on a single experience – if the assignment requires you to focus on multiple experiences, it can be helpful to simply repeat each step of a model for each experience.

One difference between the structure of reflective writing and the structure of models is that sometimes you may choose to present your learning in the introduction of a piece of writing, whereas models (given that they support working through the reflective process) will have learning appearing at later stages.

However, generally structuring a piece of academic writing around a reflective model will ensure that it involves the correct components, reads coherently and logically, as well as having an appropriate structure.

Reflective journals/diaries/blogs and other pieces of assessed reflection

The example structure above works particularly well for formal assignments such as reflective essays and reports.  Reflective journal/blogs and other pieces of assessed reflections tend to be less formal both in language and structure, however you can easily adapt the structure for journals and other reflective assignments if you find that helpful.

That is, if you are asked to produce a reflective journal with multiple entries it will most often (always check with the person who issued the assignment) be a successful journal if each entry mirrors the structure above and the language highlighted in the section on academic language. However, often you can be less concerned with form when producing reflective journals/diaries.

When producing reflective journals, it is often okay to include your original reflection as long as you are comfortable with sharing the content with others, and that the information included is not too personal for an assessor to read.

Developed from:

Ryan, M., 2011. Improving reflective writing in higher education: a social semiotic perspective. Teaching in Higher Education, 16(1), 99-111.

University of Portsmouth, Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement (date unavailable). Reflective Writing: a basic introduction [online].  Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth.

Queen Margaret University, Effective Learning Service (date unavailable).  Reflection. [online].  Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University.

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Reaction vs. Reflection Paper: What’s the Difference?

The purpose of writing a reaction or reflection paper is to provide a deeper and more meaningful understanding of a piece of literature, film, or artwork. As students, it is important to learn how to properly analyze and interpret material in order to gain a better overall understanding and appreciation of it. A reaction paper is a more personal and informal response to the material, while a reflection paper is a more formal and analytical reflection of the material. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between a reaction paper and a reflection paper, and provide tips for how to write each. We will also discuss the importance of each and how they can be used to gain a better understanding of a given work of art.

ACADS EP.1: Difference between reflection paper and reaction paper

What is a reflection paper?

An essay that focuses on what the author learned from an experience is called a reflection paper. The experience could be completing a task, watching a video, or reading a book. Writers frequently discuss how an experience has altered their perspective on a subject. These essays also contain the authors’ descriptions of the events and their emotions.

What is a reaction paper?

A reaction paper, also known as a response paper, is an essay that expresses the writer’s opinions on a particular subject. These essays typically retain a formal tone while expressing the writer’s opinion and their agreement or disagreement with the concepts presented in a book, article, or film. When writing a reaction paper, authors can also evaluate the piece and provide proof to back up their assertions.

Reaction vs. reflection paper

The following are some key parallels and divergences between a reaction paper and a reflection paper:

Reaction and reflection papers tend to have similar uses. For instance, when they want students to respond to a piece of writing, a book, or a film, teachers and college professors frequently assign them. Students can develop analyses and incorporate evidence when using critical thinking, which is useful practice for writing lab reports and other essays. A reflection paper is typically assigned by a teacher when they want their students to respond to an experience. Students’ communication, teamwork, and organizational skills are frequently enhanced when they share what they learned from a lecture or internship.

Format and tone

Despite the fact that reaction and reflection papers include the writers’ opinions, they typically have a formal tone. These papers maintain their suitability for academic settings thanks to an academic tone and format. Teachers can specify the requirements for their assignments, but most students follow an MLA or AP style manual. Additionally, they employ academic vocabulary and sentence constructions that are less conversational than diary entries. Reaction and reflection papers can range in length and format, but they almost always have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Summary of the work or experience

Writers frequently incorporate a summary of the published work or experience in both types of papers. They try to provide context because they are aware that the reader might not be familiar with their topic. For instance, a writer might briefly summarize a book’s major plot points at the start of their essay. The reader may find it simpler to comprehend the character analyses after reading this explanation. Good reaction and reflection papers frequently include objective summaries that give the reader context without the writer’s personal bias coming through.

The focus of reaction and reflection papers is the primary distinction. Reaction papers highlight the writer’s feelings following a book or video by including their first impressions. Additionally, they are able to evaluate various incidents and offer proof to back up their conclusions. For instance, a student may reference the author’s account of an event to support their claim that they are commenting on a phenomenon that actually exists.

In contrast, a reflection paper focuses more on how the experience or work altered the writer’s perspective. They frequently mention their previous viewpoint and how the subject opened their minds to new concepts. Some reflection papers highlight how the experience or work solidified their preexisting beliefs. For instance, a climate change article could support a student’s conviction that global warming is a real phenomenon. The student may mention this enduring belief in their reflection paper while also highlighting how the assignment exposed them to fresh strategies for tackling global warming.

How to write a reaction or reflection paper

Heres how to write a reaction or reflection paper:

1. Review the reference material

Consider reading the reference material in its entirety if you want to write a strong reaction or reflection paper. You can make sure you comprehend all of the key points by reading the entire book or by watching the entire video. You can also jot down important details to discuss later in notes. As you watch a movie or read a book, for instance, think about writing down any interesting details or queries you have. Try keeping track of your primary responsibilities and interactions with coworkers after each shift if you’re completing an internship.

2. Review your teachers requirements

Before writing your paper, consider reviewing your teachers requirements. You can verify details like word count, formatting type, and whether a reference or works cited page should be included. Knowing the requirements can help you structure your paper and prevent you from having to make revisions later in the writing process.

3. Create an outline

To create an outline, think about using your notes and your teachers’ expectations. Your notes, for instance, could point out three different ways the author introduces a certain theme. These three points can be broken up into paragraphs in your outline, and you can also indicate how long each section should be. Additionally, you can make a note of the quotes and details you want to use in each section.

4. Write an introduction with a thesis statement

The hook in the introduction of reaction and reflection papers entices readers to continue reading. In order to provide context for the reader, it might also include a brief summary of the work or experience. The conclusion of the introduction paragraph should include a thesis statement that sums up your position. If you’re writing a reaction paper, try to summarize your feelings about the work in your thesis statement. These details may also be in the thesis statements for reflection papers, but they usually place more emphasis on how the work or experience shaped your perspective.

5. Write body paragraphs

Writing the body paragraphs that you noted in your outline is the next step. An introduction to the main idea can be made in the topic sentence of each body paragraph. After the topic sentence, go into greater detail about how you analyzed the work or experience and provide evidence to back up your assertions. Although the teacher is typically familiar with the subject you are writing about, you can provide more context if necessary. For example, you can emphasize the main character’s stubbornness if you want to emphasize this quality to make your point.

6. Add a conclusion

Your paper’s conclusion paragraph restates your thesis statement and lists your key points. If you’re writing a reaction paper, you might want to focus on how the piece made you feel or your thoughts on the subject. Reflective essay conclusions could summarize what you learned and how you would persuade others to use your analyses to reevaluate their positions in the future.

Is reaction and reflection the same?

Reaction is largely driven by external stimuli. Contrarily, reflection is a higher-order executive function known as a metacognitive function that calls for awareness and control of one’s own thought process.

What is the difference between summary and reaction paper?

Refine and polish your summary by removing any repetitions or minor details and adding transitions to make the summary read smoothly. The Reaction is a text-based response where you express your opinions regarding the source text.

How do you write a reaction paper?

Write an informative summary of the material. Highlight the work’s main points and important supporting points to condense the content. Use direct quotations from the work to illustrate important ideas. Summarize the content to give the reader a broad understanding of all significant elements of the original work.

What is the purpose of the reaction paper?

In the classroom, reaction papers are frequently used as tools to help students think critically about texts and how they relate to one another or to a larger field of discourse. Research paper topics can also be found in reaction papers.

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Reaction Paper vs Reflection Essay: Similarities and Differences

Table of contents, similarities, differences.

When it comes to academic writing, students often encounter various types of assignments that require critical thinking and analysis. Two common types of assignments that often confuse students are reaction papers and reflection essays. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are distinct differences between the two. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between reaction papers and reflection essays, providing valuable insights to help students understand and excel in these assignments.

Before diving into the differences, it is important to acknowledge the similarities between reaction papers and reflection essays. Both assignments require students to express their thoughts and opinions on a particular topic or piece of literature. They both involve critical thinking and analysis, allowing students to engage with the material and demonstrate their understanding.

Furthermore, both reaction papers and reflection essays provide an opportunity for students to showcase their ability to articulate their thoughts and support their arguments with evidence. In both cases, students are expected to provide a well-reasoned response to the material they have encountered.

While there are similarities, there are also key differences between reaction papers and reflection essays. These differences lie in their purpose, structure, and focus.

A reaction paper is typically a response to a specific reading or event. It requires students to critically analyze the material and provide their personal reaction or response. The purpose of a reaction paper is to demonstrate the student’s understanding of the material and their ability to engage with it on an intellectual and emotional level.

On the other hand, a reflection essay is more introspective in nature. It requires students to reflect on their own experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and connect them to the material they have encountered. The purpose of a reflection essay is to encourage self-reflection and personal growth, allowing students to explore their own beliefs and values in relation to the topic at hand.

When it comes to structure, reaction papers and reflection essays also differ. A reaction paper typically follows a more formal structure, similar to an essay. It includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides a brief overview of the material being reacted to, while the body paragraphs delve into the analysis and personal response. The conclusion summarizes the main points and offers a final thought or reflection.

On the other hand, a reflection essay is more flexible in terms of structure. It may not follow a strict essay format and can be more free-flowing. Reflection essays often incorporate personal anecdotes, experiences, and emotions, allowing for a more personal and subjective approach to the topic. While it still requires a clear introduction and conclusion, the body paragraphs may be more narrative in nature.

The focus of a reaction paper is primarily on the material being reacted to. Students are expected to analyze and critique the material, providing their own perspective and insights. The focus is on the external material and how it relates to the student’s own understanding and interpretation.

On the other hand, the focus of a reflection essay is primarily on the student’s own thoughts, experiences, and emotions. While the material being reflected upon is still important, the emphasis is on the student’s personal growth and self-reflection. Reflection essays allow students to explore their own beliefs, values, and biases, and how they have been shaped by the material.

To further illustrate the differences between reaction papers and reflection essays, let’s consider a hypothetical example:

Imagine a student is asked to read a novel and write a response. In a reaction paper, the student might analyze the themes, characters, and writing style of the novel, providing their own interpretation and critique. They might discuss how the novel impacted them emotionally and intellectually.

In a reflection essay, the student might reflect on how the novel resonated with their own experiences and beliefs. They might discuss how the novel challenged or reinforced their existing beliefs, and how it influenced their personal growth and understanding of the world.

While reaction papers and reflection essays share similarities in terms of critical thinking and analysis, they differ in purpose, structure, and focus. Reaction papers focus on analyzing and critiquing external material, while reflection essays emphasize personal growth and self-reflection. Understanding these differences can help students approach these assignments with clarity and confidence, enabling them to excel in their academic writing.

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Reaction vs. Reflection Paper: What’s the Difference?

The purpose of writing a reaction or reflection paper is to provide a deeper and more meaningful understanding of a piece of literature, film, or artwork. As students, it is important to learn how to properly analyze and interpret material in order to gain a better overall understanding and appreciation of it. A reaction paper is a more personal and informal response to the material, while a reflection paper is a more formal and analytical reflection of the material. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between a reaction paper and a reflection paper, and provide tips for how to write each. We will also discuss the importance of each and how they can be used to gain a better understanding of a given work of art.

What is a reflection paper?

An essay that focuses on what the author learned from an experience is called a reflection paper. The experience could be completing a task, watching a video, or reading a book. Writers frequently discuss how an experience has altered their perspective on a subject. These essays also contain the authors’ descriptions of the events and their emotions.

What is a reaction paper?

A reaction paper, also known as a response paper, is an essay that expresses the writer’s opinions on a particular subject. These essays typically retain a formal tone while expressing the writer’s opinion and their agreement or disagreement with the concepts presented in a book, article, or film. When writing a reaction paper, authors can also evaluate the piece and provide proof to back up their assertions.

Reaction vs. reflection paper

The following are some key parallels and divergences between a reaction paper and a reflection paper:

Reaction and reflection papers tend to have similar uses. For instance, when they want students to respond to a piece of writing, a book, or a film, teachers and college professors frequently assign them. Students can develop analyses and incorporate evidence when using critical thinking, which is useful practice for writing lab reports and other essays. A reflection paper is typically assigned by a teacher when they want their students to respond to an experience. Students’ communication, teamwork, and organizational skills are frequently enhanced when they share what they learned from a lecture or internship.

Format and tone

Despite the fact that reaction and reflection papers include the writers’ opinions, they typically have a formal tone. These papers maintain their suitability for academic settings thanks to an academic tone and format. Teachers can specify the requirements for their assignments, but most students follow an MLA or AP style manual. Additionally, they employ academic vocabulary and sentence constructions that are less conversational than diary entries. Reaction and reflection papers can range in length and format, but they almost always have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Summary of the work or experience

Writers frequently incorporate a summary of the published work or experience in both types of papers. They try to provide context because they are aware that the reader might not be familiar with their topic. For instance, a writer might briefly summarize a book’s major plot points at the start of their essay. The reader may find it simpler to comprehend the character analyses after reading this explanation. Good reaction and reflection papers frequently include objective summaries that give the reader context without the writer’s personal bias coming through.

The focus of reaction and reflection papers is the primary distinction. Reaction papers highlight the writer’s feelings following a book or video by including their first impressions. Additionally, they are able to evaluate various incidents and offer proof to back up their conclusions. For instance, a student may reference the author’s account of an event to support their claim that they are commenting on a phenomenon that actually exists.

In contrast, a reflection paper focuses more on how the experience or work altered the writer’s perspective. They frequently mention their previous viewpoint and how the subject opened their minds to new concepts. Some reflection papers highlight how the experience or work solidified their preexisting beliefs. For instance, a climate change article could support a student’s conviction that global warming is a real phenomenon. The student may mention this enduring belief in their reflection paper while also highlighting how the assignment exposed them to fresh strategies for tackling global warming.

How to write a reaction or reflection paper

Heres how to write a reaction or reflection paper:

1. Review the reference material

Consider reading the reference material in its entirety if you want to write a strong reaction or reflection paper. You can make sure you comprehend all of the key points by reading the entire book or by watching the entire video. You can also jot down important details to discuss later in notes. As you watch a movie or read a book, for instance, think about writing down any interesting details or queries you have. Try keeping track of your primary responsibilities and interactions with coworkers after each shift if you’re completing an internship.

2. Review your teachers requirements

Before writing your paper, consider reviewing your teachers requirements. You can verify details like word count, formatting type, and whether a reference or works cited page should be included. Knowing the requirements can help you structure your paper and prevent you from having to make revisions later in the writing process.

3. Create an outline

To create an outline, think about using your notes and your teachers’ expectations. Your notes, for instance, could point out three different ways the author introduces a certain theme. These three points can be broken up into paragraphs in your outline, and you can also indicate how long each section should be. Additionally, you can make a note of the quotes and details you want to use in each section.

4. Write an introduction with a thesis statement

The hook in the introduction of reaction and reflection papers entices readers to continue reading. In order to provide context for the reader, it might also include a brief summary of the work or experience. The conclusion of the introduction paragraph should include a thesis statement that sums up your position. If you’re writing a reaction paper, try to summarize your feelings about the work in your thesis statement. These details may also be in the thesis statements for reflection papers, but they usually place more emphasis on how the work or experience shaped your perspective.

5. Write body paragraphs

Writing the body paragraphs that you noted in your outline is the next step. An introduction to the main idea can be made in the topic sentence of each body paragraph. After the topic sentence, go into greater detail about how you analyzed the work or experience and provide evidence to back up your assertions. Although the teacher is typically familiar with the subject you are writing about, you can provide more context if necessary. For example, you can emphasize the main character’s stubbornness if you want to emphasize this quality to make your point.

6. Add a conclusion

Your paper’s conclusion paragraph restates your thesis statement and lists your key points. If you’re writing a reaction paper, you might want to focus on how the piece made you feel or your thoughts on the subject. Reflective essay conclusions could summarize what you learned and how you would persuade others to use your analyses to reevaluate their positions in the future.

ACADS EP.1: Difference between reflection paper and reaction paper

Is reaction and reflection the same?

Reaction is largely driven by external stimuli. Contrarily, reflection is a higher-order executive function known as a metacognitive function that calls for awareness and control of one’s own thought process.

What is the difference between summary and reaction paper?

Refine and polish your summary by removing any repetitions or minor details and adding transitions to make the summary read smoothly. The Reaction is a text-based response where you express your opinions regarding the source text.

How do you write a reaction paper?

Write an informative summary of the material. Highlight the work’s main points and important supporting points to condense the content. Use direct quotations from the work to illustrate important ideas. Summarize the content to give the reader a broad understanding of all significant elements of the original work.

What is the purpose of the reaction paper?

In the classroom, reaction papers are frequently used as tools to help students think critically about texts and how they relate to one another or to a larger field of discourse. Research paper topics can also be found in reaction papers.

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