A reflective essay is your chance to reveal and discuss your own thoughts about a topic. Reflective essays are used as a self-assessment measure of sorts; they allow you to address your experiences and what you’ve gained. You may be asked to write a reflective essay after taking a course, completing a project or partaking in some type of experience. The goal of this essay is to successfully relay your own beliefs, attitudes and observations. In some reflective essays, you’ll be required to support your conclusions by citing materials such as books, journals, articles and other resources.
While a reflective essay concentrates on your ideas and reflections about a topic; you want to show your readers why your points are valid. To do so, the information that led to your conclusions should be included in the paper. Having references adds to your credibility and illustrates that your findings result from both facts and personal experience. A good reflective essay includes an insightful interpretation of the matter at hand. The feelings and experiences that you write about in the essay should be based on your own perception and showcase to the readers why your revelation is significant on a larger scale. The essay should communicate both the importance of the topic as well your consideration of it.
Reflective essays are assigned on a variety of topics and are frequently a part of college applications. You may be asked to write about a life-changing experience or a person in your life who has had a big impact on you. With these essays it’s important to include an introduction that explains why you’ve chosen the topic and why it is important to you. Although the essay may be of a personal nature, it should appeal to anyone who reads it. Before writing a reflective essay, it’s a good idea to gather and make a list of all the relevant materials and sources that you plan to include in it. An outline helps to organize your thoughts and act as a blueprint for your paper.
Although reflective essays may not have a definite structure, there are certain formats and guidelines that you should stick to. Your opening paragraph, sometimes referred to as the thesis, should inform the reader about your topic and also engage him. After he finishes reading the introduction of your essay, he should be eager to read the rest. The body of your reflective essay should reveal your ideas and experiences with the subject. If you are writing about an event, describe its progression. Include different aspects of the experience and how it shaped your findings. In the conclusion of your reflective essay, reflect upon your topic for and discuss its impact on you as well as the probable impact that it may have for others.
When writing a reflective essay, as with other types of essays, be sure that it’s properly formatted to meet the guidelines. Your assignment may be required to follow American Psychological Association, Modern Language Association or Chicago style. This is decided by the subject, topic or class that administers the project. If you need to adhere to a writing style, it’s important to remain consistent throughout the essay; using the specific layout, spacing and citation rules.