REFLECTION PAPER

A reflection paper is an essay of your thoughts about

something that could be a movie, book, incident, etc.

A paper on what you think about something.

NOT a piece composed of mixed thoughts of other

people.
 REFLECTION PAPER
it is easy to write because you just
have to express your thoughts.
it should be on your own words
and how you exactly perceive
things.
it should state your personal insight,
which makes it different from other
types of essay
There is no rule on how you
should write the introduction.
A picture is worth a
Be sure to include your thesis
thousand words
statement in the introduction. It
is the statement that sums up the
entire essay.
It should also have a judgment,
a conclusion, etc. It is usually in
the latter part of the essay.
Introduction: Present and Give Readers an Idea
The reflection paper should open by giving the readers an idea
what to write about.
Make the introduction interesting by involving readers.
Describe the experience in a sentence and the effect of it in
your life without giving it all away.
 Body of the Essay: Experiences and Basis of Your Conclusion

The body will contain the experience.

There is no specific reflection paper format for the body but
you may consider describing the experience.
Use adjectives to describe what you saw but also what you
heard, felt, etc. What you were thinking that time would also
help.
It is also in the body where your realizations or reflection
should be written. The realization should be about your
thoughts. The realization may be based on the effects.
It may also include whether you think the effects of the
incident is good or bad, what could be worse or better that
happened.
It may also be about the lessons you learned or from which
readers could learn.
Discuss the benefits you got or what you have lost because
of that particular experience.
 Conclusion: Sum It Up
Finish it with a summary of your experience, realizations
and thoughts.
Dont rely on facts. It is best to finish the essay with your own
thoughts.
In fact, this is what makes reflection paper different and
easier to write compared with other types of essay.
 9

GOOD VS. BAD

Reflection Paper
 Were written in first person singular
- Personal, Conversational, Reflective, Casual AND Easy
GOOD to read

REFLECTION Contained examples or quoted the key points or

textbook
PAPER
-Interaction with material and Added insight to
knowledge
Identified both good and bad parts about the course
-Helps with course design
-Identifies weak spots
-Builds on strengths
 Were formally written
Third person or first person plural
BAD
Tried to cover too much
REFLECTION
Seemed to want to convince the instructor that
PAPER they learned something.
Contained too many grammatical and spelling
errors
Were way too long
3 to 5 pages was sufficient
1. As the diagram suggests, a reflection paper is your
identification of the main themes of the readings
integrated with your classroom experience and how
both affect your thinking and practice.

2. A reflection paper is your chance to add your

thoughts and analysis to what you have read and
experienced.

3. A reflection paper is meant to illustrate your

understanding of the material and how it affects
your ideas and possible practice in future.
4. Begin by jotting down some of the reading 14

material and class experiences that stand out in

your mind. Decide why they stand out to you.

5. It may be helpful to use the restorative questions to

generate some of your thoughts and feelings about
the course experience.

6. Using the first person singular (I), relate the

readings and classes to your previous knowledge
and experience.
 15
7. Consider if and how what you have read and
learned changes your thinking and might affect
your practice in both personal and professional
situations.

8. Review the readings and class notes to be sure

youve included all the relevant information you
can and made all the connections you can.

9. Give your reflection paper structure with an

opening paragraph, main body, and conclusion.
 10. It may be helpful to write
the body of the paper first by
using Steps 4-7, and then
decide what your opening
paragraph should say.
11. Include in-text references
and a reference page for any
materials you cite using APA
citation formatting.