How to Write a Reflection Paper

In writing a reflection paper, you are expected to express your personal and subjective opinion on a certain matter. Even though you should maintain an academic tone, you are allowed to feel, reflect, and express your opinion and perception about the matter in question. It is a personal analysis of an article, experience, or academic task. With all the freedom of expression that comes with this kind of writing, it is good to keep a grip on the rules so that you do not miss it. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to write a great reflection paper:

  1. Main Theme Creation

By the time you choose a topic, you have already learned enough about it since that is what your reflection will be based on. In creating the main theme, you are expected to write a summary of what you have learned about that subject. Let out your feelings in an honest manner but remember to maintain an academic tone all through. This way, your readers relate to your opinion and understand your reflection better.

  1. Brainstorming Ideas

At this point, brainstorm ideas and experiences that are related to your topic. To make your work more concrete, you can write down specific predispositions and quotes that have influenced you. Capture anything memorable, be personal, and make simple explanations about how you felt going through the details of the topic. Avoid vague or blanket statements when expressing your feelings. Remember the more clearly your perspective comes out, the better the quality of your work. Being specific with your feelings and lessons will make your work more authentic.

  1. Do an Analysis of How and Why of Specific Ideas

After mentioning and even discussing specific ideas that have influenced your opinions about your main subject, you will need to explain further. Analyze how those ideas have shaped your perspective and why you picked those ideas over the rest. Also, in this step, you can pick an idea from the previous step and make a further analysis of it. Write down your reasons for agreeing and disagreeing with it. After all, this is what analysis is all about.

  1. Connect Your Experiences, Opinions, and Observations

Cohesion is one of the most important aspects of any kind of writing. To make your reflection paper legit, you need to connect your ideas and insights so that you can have a cohesive picture. That connection is what will help your readers to relate to your work and understand your main theme better. The flow also keeps them hooked. As you make this connection, try to recognize and break down your assumptions in case you may need to challenge them in the future.

Final Recommendation

Writing a reflection paper requires you to express your feelings more as opposed to other papers that are more about facts. This makes it a bit technical since you are supposed to feel without losing your academic tone. The steps discussed here will be of great help to you as you work on your ideas for the reflection paper. 

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