Reflective Essay Examples

I never enjoyed reading much when I was younger. Perhaps this was merely the result of the time period I had been born into. The digital age, with its streams of hypnotic constant entertainment, lulls the contemporary individual into a type of trance. At this time, if I had the...

1059 words | 4 page(s)

In his essay, “On Reading A Video Text,” Robert Scholes argues that “video texts” are instruments used as “cultural reinforcements” to validate our “ideological positions,” which we understand through unique “cultural knowledge”, and, furthermore, when analyzed critically, they enhance “cultural literacy.” Scholes supports his claims through a 28 second Budweiser...

282 words | 1 page(s)

The United States is to date one of the leading economies in the world owing to its policies and political structures used from the time of its inception. The country takes on a democratic approach to work in that individuals are encouraged to invest in various businesses and maximize on...

558 words | 2 page(s)

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I believe we need to stop writing science fiction and dystopian novels. The dystopian genre and science fiction that is so prevalent today only adds fear and paranoia in a world that is not lacking in either. While many believe that the scenarios depicted are too far-fetched and merely provide...

255 words | 1 page(s)

Sleeping Beauty is a classic tale, made most popular in its Disney animated version but also acclaimed on stage. The ballet is by Petipa and is performed in many opera houses across the world. The performance that I saw held many points of meaning for me as well as interesting...

602 words | 3 page(s)

Abu Zayd Nasr's analysis of Islam within a 20th century context offers a fascinating – and highly complex – scenario of how faith may be exponentially and inestimably shaped by commercial, political, nationalistic, and intellectual forces. The complexity of Nasr's presentation alone, the core subject of Islam notwithstanding, actually serves...

1234 words | 5 page(s)

As I look back on the work I have done and consider its meaning for me now, I perceive multiple processes in play, and some of which I was not actually aware at the time of the writing. Taking this into consideration now, I believe, is important in introducing this...

982 words | 4 page(s)

I believe only another foreign student can truly appreciate the challenges in learning to write English correctly. The individual from another culture faces immense difficulties as well, but they generally are not required to do what the student must do: prove their learning as it develops. As a Chinese American...

564 words | 2 page(s)

As I reflect upon my first semester, I face multiple impressions arising from a wide variety of experiences. The reflection becomes even more complex as I realize how each experience translated to others. On a basic level, for instance, all my ideas regarding what university learning would be like were...

405 words | 2 page(s)

“Teacher Survival Skills” was an informative film and it gave me a lot of insight into how to enter the world of teaching. One of the topics that were discussed within the video was the correct way to go about becoming a certified teacher. By watching the video I learned...

357 words | 2 page(s)

Will was playing tennis at a local park – something that he does on a regular basis. It was late at night, and he saw a group of young black men walking down the street. These young men could not have been older than 20, and they looked to be...

624 words | 3 page(s)

As a white male, Will rarely has to deal with the constructs of race in a negative way. He is not denied access to certain areas because of race, and in fact, race is an advantage almost every time for him. However, Willis one of the few people where comes...

620 words | 3 page(s)

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How To Write A Reflective Essay That Earns Top Grades?

Writing a reflective essay is the surest way of sharpening your critical thinking skills as well as developing and expressing your opinions on a given topic. More often than not, a reflection essay will be assigned by your instructor to assess your descriptive and analytical skills. This is why it is important to put on your thinking cap and know how to write a reflective essay.

A reflective piece includes writing about or describing an event or experience and then analyzing its significance. An essay is reflective when the writer analyzes a past event in the present. These require you to open up regarding your thoughts and emotions and paint a vivid picture by describing the experience. Like any essay, they should also include explanations for all mentioned reactions, thoughts, and feelings. It helps to take a look at a few reflective essay examples to start with.

Now that you are done knowing what is a reflective essay, it is time to know how to go about writing one.

Strategies For Writing A Reflective Essay

Once you’ve been assigned a topic, it is important to go through a few checkpoints to ensure that your essay is thoroughly structured.

  1. Mind-Map: The importance of this step cannot be overstated. It can be easy to get jumbled up in a whirlpool of ideas once you are assigned a topic. Creating a mind map helps to sort out the clutter and to visualize your ideas. Evaluate your ideas, group them into paragraphs that you will write, and decide the logical sequence.
  2. Opening Paragraph: A strong opening hooks the reader in. Write and re-write a few times to get it right until you have an eye-catching and memorable opening that reins the reader’s attention.
  3. Supporting Ideas: This is the crux of your self reflection essay and should include all your arguments, ideas, and explanations. Ensure that you only provide one point, and reflections thereof, within each paragraph.
  4. Conclusion: In the concluding section, summarize your thoughts briefly. Write about what you have learned and how the experience might be useful for others. It helps to ask a rhetorical question to finish off your essay.

Writing Tips For A Reflective Essay

Here are a few tips for the writing an effective reflection essay:

  1. Provide a few hints about the conclusion in the introductory paragraph.
  2. Since it is an essay based on your own personal experience, it is acceptable to use the pronoun “I”.
  3. Using quotations can make your writing appear more authoritative and informed.
  4. You are free to describe the things that went wrong with the experience and what could be done to improve it in hindsight.

Things To Avoid In A Reflective Essay

Once you know how to write a reflection paper, it can seem like it is no different than writing a formalized diary entry. Though it is not far from it, it is still an academic essay and requires you to remain formal. Avoid the following when writing a reflective essay.

  • Including too much personal information in your essay: Remember that it is your goal to state and analyze your opinion – not to write an autobiography.
  • Ignoring the structure of the format: You would do so at your own peril as it will lead to a disorganized and incoherent mess which can make it hard for the reader.
  • Being informal: Cut the slang. Always write in a formal tone and never assume the reader to be from your neighborhood.

Reflective pieces can be deceptively simple to write. It is no surprise that people look for reflective paper sample to aid them in their writing. If you are having trouble with this format, feel free to reach out to MyCustomEssay – our vast database of essay samples is always at your disposal!

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