Selecting a topic for a reflective essay can prove difficult. Prewriting, all the brainstorming that happens before you write, makes generating ideas easier. Prewriting takes many forms and serves to ease the transition from an empty page to a full one. Clustering helps generate ideas by allowing you to visually see how words and phrases relate to your topic and to one another via a flowchart. When you free write, you begin to fill the page by writing sentences and paragraphs, transcribing all your thoughts on a given topic without any censorship. To prewrite based on a reading, start by writing down all your first impressions of what you've read, and choose a prewriting technique to expand your ideas.
Once you've organized your ideas, you should create an outline, a step-by-step list of what you plan to write in the order you plan to write it. Outlines provide a clear path for you to follow. Translate the ideas you generated while prewriting into a coherent thesis sentence and supporting topic sentences. Organize those sentences, placing the thesis first and the topic sentences after. Fill in the spaces beneath each topic sentence with words, phrases or sentences that support your ideas. Add a conclusion, and check that your ideas flow logically from one to another.
Be sure that your thesis, topic sentences and supporting ideas fully explore the topic you've chosen. The body of your reflective essay should thoroughly present your thoughts, impressions, feelings, analysis or whatever other reflections your assignment calls for. Your opinions should be unique, and your reflective essay should strive to interpret the reading in a way that no one else has done. Analyze the reading, whether fiction or nonfiction, by relating it to your own feelings, thoughts and experiences. You can employ techniques like analogies, comparisons, metaphors and lists to link the reading to your own life.
After you've written your first draft, reread it to check for grammatical and spelling errors. Typos and improper language usage detract from the impact of even the most well-written essay. Follow all format guidelines provided in your assignment related to length, font, spacing and margins, as failure to do so can leave a bad impression. Rewrite your essay, and if you're working on a computer, print it out. Read it again. Sometimes reading a paper copy allows you to catch mistakes you've missed on a computer screen.