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How to Write a Reflection Paper

Student's Assignment Help 06/06/2018 376 Views

At some point in time during your academic life, you have to deal with the reflection paper. It is a kind of essay assigned to the students in their academics, but not as formal as other college essays. Reflection paper allows the students to express their understanding and thoughts about how a particular matter, book, event, lecture, or something else shapes their personality.

Students have to go through various assignments, essay writings, projects in their academic life, which involve typical research activities. Unlike these paper writings, through reflection paper, learners get the chance to speak up their mind openly but by adequately maintaining the academic tone. It inspires you to bring out your own point of view on any matter. This paper proved beneficial for both subjective headway and personalized way of understanding things.

Reflection paper gives way to the students to communicate with their professors about their understanding of the matters related to the lecture, lesson, article, etc. Though it is less formal than other academic essays or paper writings, you can’t take it for the grant. You must need to get a complete reflection paper writing guide to acquire special skills to bring out your thoughts on paper.

What is a reflective paper?

A reflection paper is a paper that encourages you to constitute your personal point of view on a particular topic. It’s not about providing the facts at all but your experience of getting knowledge in any specific matter.

You can compare it with the diary entry, but here you are not the only reader of it. So it is necessary to write the reflection paper in a proper academic tone, and its structure must be organized cohesively and rigorously. From your favorite film story or your visit to any place to your involvement in learning a specific theory, reflective paper covers discussion on almost every subject matter.

It can be professional, educational, or personal. The purpose of a professional reflective paper is to analyze the attitude of the employees. An educational reflective essay could be on the lectures delivered in the class, any book, article, or subject. You can express your feelings on personal reflective paper.

Structure and format of a reflective paper

The format of the reflective essay may change slightly depending upon the type of audience. It is generally suggested to follow APA format, but the changes are allowed according to the convenience of readers.

In this paper, you have to share your experience of acquiring knowledge on any subject. The subject matter could be from either of the category – personal, professional, or educational. After examining your audience and the issue, you can make appropriate changes in your paper to enhance its accuracy and readability.

While exploring the steps to write a reflection paper, one must be well acquainted with its basic structure i.e., Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

  • Speakers share the matter in the Introduction section that they are going to focus on their reflective paper.
  • Writers can share their life-changing experiences in the Body They can tell the audience as to how some lecture, subject, event, etc. supported them to shape their personality.
  • You can sum up the changes and share the effects of those changes in the Conclusion

Though its basic structure is similar to other college essays, there is a massive difference in their content writing.

  • You must clearly explain the experience and effects of your changing behavior.
  • You should describe your readers about how the analyzed subject can help them in their future.
  • You have to be more cautious while putting words in your paper as it might hurt the emotions of the readers somehow.

Steps to writing a reflective paper!

Reflection paper must be compulsory in every academia as it helps the students to make a habit of putting down their thoughts on every subject matter. Its benefits couldn’t be seen at the early phase, but this habit can brighten up your future.

It seems more natural to write this paper, but in reality, it is quite complicated. You have to share the experiences for your changed personality.

You can follow the step by step guide on reflection paper writing.

  1. Summarize the reflection paper topic in the first step

Students need to summarize their reflection topic in the very first step briefly. You are not allowed to give any facts, examples, or proofs in this paper. You should precisely share your experience to prevent its natural essence from vanishing.

The content should not be repeated, and it is necessary to brief down the experience for your every change and how these changes helped you in shaping your personality. Your primary purpose must be to inspire the audience with your transition.

  1. Try to find out the themes and motifs of the reflection topic

Students can start their search for the themes and motifs of their reflection topic once they are done with the briefing their experiences. This step requires some sort of research to maintain the academic tone of this paper.

The research involved with reflection paper is much more comfortable and exciting than other paper writings as in this students just have to explore their understanding of the selected topic. Finding out the themes and motifs for the assigned topic is as simple as reflection topic on your favorite movie. It is necessary to use appropriate motifs and themes in your paper to enhance its readability and understanding for the readers.

  1. Give a thesis statement

It is vital to give the thesis statement in every research paper. You can use the thesis statements either in the introduction section or conclusion. It can be defined in the body section as well if there is any need to summarize your idea.

Thesis statement simply focuses your ideas in a short statement. It mainly offers a precise summary of your fundamental idea or claim of the research paper. It is necessary to give thesis statements in the research papers either within the introduction or at the end of the introductory part.

  1. Use valuable points to explain and develop your thesis statement

After setting the thesis statement for the reflective paper, the next colleges’ students have to develop this throughout while the reflective paper. Graduate or PG students can do it by putting specific examples which relate your paperwork along with the arguments. This is a challenging and tough task for the students, but students can write and create the supreme quality reflective paper by doing little efforts and hard work.  So, students in colleges or University should make sure that they are not writing up scrap in the paper while developing the thesis statement only by giving the general statement over the thesis statement.

  1. Write a supportive and effective conclusion for the reflective paper

Framing a conclusion of the reflective paper, in the end, is the penultimate and final step in writing a reflection paper. College students can conclude the paper from the entire content of the reflection paper by observing and understanding the success of the writer in order to meet the solutions of the issue and problems stated in the document. Also, by describing the importance of the part of the work done upon which the students have written a reflection paper.

  1. Explain some valid points on your topic to write a reflective paper

By discussing the overall useful aspects and features of the entire text written in the paper of the work done, the college students can finally enclose the reflective paper. Students can refer the key points which they have written in the reflection paper. While choosing or writing the valid points of the topic, students must keep in mind to define all the aspects that elaborate the work done in the reflection paper so that students can write an adequate and complete reflection paper to score high grades in the assignments.

Practical tips for writing a perfect reflective paper

Every college student has their skills and capability to compose a reflective essay. Some of them get influenced by their busy schedule, and some of them take it as a cup of tea. It is not easy for everyone to write a reflection paper. However, by taking some of the proper guidelines from the different resources, students can make appropriate reflective paper.

  1. Before starting the paper writing task, students can take sufficient knowledge from the examples. It can help them in drafting the unique and original paper.
  2. Instead of worrying about the deadlines, college students have to focus mainly on the reflective paper writing topic and statements that can make it more effective.
  3. Students can think about the efficient materials and readings related to their chosen subject. After that, they can decide which of the topic is more memorable.
  4. Don’t stay focus to complete an entire essay in one day. It can be beneficial to start with an outline on a day and then add your ideas, mainly every day.
  5. Write an inspirational introduction paragraph. Try to make the beginning of the paper clear and concise, which can attract the reader’s attention towards the article.
  6. Getting personal or taking things heartily cannot work every time. So first consider the facts and then think about the effects and attitude.
  7. Using slang or something like a colloquial word cannot make the reflection paper useful. Try to use the first person singular.

What can be the topics for making reflective paper inspiring?

If the students want to make a well-structured reflective paper, then it is necessary to choose a good topic, something like familiar or bothers you. Telling about the subject that stimulates you can be beneficial. However, students are not always allowed to select the topic on their own. If they get a chance, then they had to explore their skills for selecting only the best one.  Their students can find some of the great ideas for making reflective paper.

  1. Name about the things that have inspired you ever.
  2. How to deal firmly with frustration?
  3. Can one feel alone in the space or getting suspended?
  4. Describe your favorite place across the world. Give the reason.
  5. How can you admit the mistake made by you? Is there anything wrong to accept it on time?
  6. What do you feel after telling a lie to your closed ones?
  7. What is your opinion is the biggest challenge for life?
  8. Explain the top ten and essential qualities that make people actual human being?
  9. Is there any unusual place where you had visited at least once in your life? If it is not, then would you like to go there?
  10. What is the role of the school or college or university in the professional life of people?
  11. Name about the person that can change your life. Is there anyone who had already changed your life?
  12. Tell about the outstanding person from history and their role.
  13. What is the effect of social media or TV on the decision-making skills of teenagers?
  14. How have technologies changed the development of the nation? Is there any impact on today’s generation of using modern techniques?
  15. Is there any childhood dream of yours that has come true? How can students prepare for achieving success in life?

What is reflective paper outline?

Reflective paper writing does not require much high research as it is necessary for the other academic papers. Its main aim is to communicate the right opinion and to provide the influencing reflection on the audience. Giving a useful outline to the reflective essay can help the students in making their writing straightforward.

A perfect reflection paper outline will allow the students to arrange everything incomplete order, that is, from the practical ideas and thoughts ideas to the feelings experienced by them during those times. When the students are attempting the reflective papers, then they have first to learn how they can write a reflective essay and what they need to prepare it with the sentimental feelings and learning experiences.

It is a paper that requires from the graduate students to take a hard look at themselves along with their life experiences and write this information into an exciting and informative article that tells that what the writer has learned and how the personal experiences have changed their explanations.

How to Write a Reflective paper outline?

There are only a few steps required for creating an effective reflective paper outline. No student can submit an outstanding paper without giving it a proper framework. So given below are some of the useful tips that can help the students to write a reflection paper outline:

  • Create a detailed but specific introduction paragraph that can attract the attention of the readers. If the beginning of the paper includes interesting explanations, then the readers will want to read the entire article to find out the end.
  • Complete the body part by writing complete details about the topic chosen. Something innovative and fresh information will work as a source to grad more reader’s attention towards the paper.
  • Finally, end the article with a neatly written conclusion. The conclusion must create an adequate reflection at the end of the paper.

Reflection paper outline

Generally, there are two approaches, namely, a traditional and an original, to write an effective reflection paper. Though it is hard to deal with the writing task effectively still, the students can manage to create it excellently by taking the useful guidelines:

  • Develop the main idea by expressing it in the form of a thesis statement.
  • It is essential to provide supportive arguments in the body paragraph for the statement made.
  • Finally, conclude the necessary facts by supporting the thesis statement again in the ending part.
  • Start a productive conversation on the specific topic and finally hint on a conclusion.
  • Make the readers curious about where the subject is going to lead and leave the room with some questions.
  • Try to put some analysis part in the body. In conclusion, students can discuss the different things from the beginning of the paper.

How to write an introduction and conclusion in a reflective paper?

Introductions and conclusion paragraph plays a vital role in the academic essay, and they can put more considerable attention from the students of the college as a paper writer. A good introduction part should identify the topic chosen by indicating the actual motive of the essay. It can make the readers interested to read at the end of the article.

On the other hand, a firm conclusion part will provide the readers with a sense of closure to the essay. It will again put the concepts in a somewhat broader and practical context. However, no formula can make the students write their paper in a short time. However, still they can take help from the following suggestions to write efficient introduction and conclusion part:

  • Find the actual purpose behind writing the reflective paper on the chosen subject.
  • Give some informative points highlighting the background of the article. It can help the readers to show interest in the report.
  • In a personal reflective paper, try to give points about your own experiences.
  • In the reflective journal, the conclusion does not mean the summary of the essay. The students have to make a proper image in the minds of the readers to find the paper useful.
  • It is beneficial to broaden up the focus of the readers at the end of the article.
  • Try to convey some strong reflection on the reader’s minds by writing the tough thing in the ending part.

Introduction paragraph: The most critical thing for writing a reflection paper is to express the feelings on the selected topic. However, there is no necessity to become highly emotional. College students have to express their ideas reasonably rather than getting sentimental.

The points given by the students in the starting must get fit in the paper. Give a clear view to the readers who help them to know what they are going to get from the essay. Students can build a big idea by summarising the central claim in one sentence to attract attention.

  • The introduction part must be brief and catchy, along with the informative content.
  • It is good to ask a reflective question at the beginning of the text.
  • Don’t start from the argumentative statement instead continue it for later.

Body part: It is the central part of the paper where students have to explore the thesis. There are several paragraphs to explain the case positively. Students can use a three-paragraph structure. In the first part, try to introduce the experience that had influenced you the most.

In the next paragraph, students can compare their experiences with the other ones. Then explain how you had learned from that experience.

  • Startup with the reasons which had made you curious to choose that topic.
  • Dig into research resources to explain everything in a well-formatted way.
  • Explain by giving logical reasons.
  • It could be efficient to involve solid examples and quotes.
  • Show effectively how the subject has an impact on you.

Conclusion: The conclusion should include striking points which can make the readers exciting. Though it is the bottom line of the reflective paper, it actively demonstrates that whether your ideas have been fully formed or not. Wrap up the complete discussion by placing the influencing vital points. At the end of the paper, leave the impressive image of your experience so that many of the readers can get some food for reflection.

  • Highlight the informative but critical points.
  • Make like it sounds compelling and persuasive for the audience.
  • Answer the question which you had asked at the starting of the paper.

Perfect reflective paper on a book

  • Give specific and brief information about the author.
  • Avoid the spoilers and give a summary.
  • Mainly focus on essential characters.
  • Explain what can be the practical issues that the writer touches upon.
  • Explain the existing influences and allusions.
  • Share the actual impressions by reading it.

Course reflection paper

  • Give a short description of any specific course.
  • Write a summary of fresh and discussed materials.
  • Tell about the flow of the course and the required instructions.
  • Give a particular reason why you have decided to take this course.
  • Define the primary statements and theories learned from any critical course.
  • Interpret necessary arguments on their own.
  • Use real-life examples to explain your opinions.
  • Evaluate the relevance course.

Reflection on a project

  • Can one use the same structure as they had applied for the previous paper?
  • Try to talk about the pros and cons of the task performed plus the changes in the offer.
  • What are the difficulties faced by anyone while facing real-life conditions?
  • How to deal with urgent and challenging projects efficiently?

Reflection paper on an interview

  • Give a hint about the conclusion in the intro paragraph.
  • Introduce the main person in the starting.
  • Discuss the necessary viewpoints in the text.
  • Highly focus on the argumentative points.
  • Express what the most liking and disliking points in your opinion about the person are.

Reflective Paper on an article

  • What not to summarise in the article paper?
  • In the starting, explain the expectations in writing.
  • Describe the thoughts and reactions that had given you a great experience.
  • Analyze what you have read.
  • Try to make people happy by pointing the best inside them.

Reflective paper on a template

  • Explain the common goal which one wants to accomplish in their life.
  • Name the strengths and weakness which call help people to achieve their goals quickly.
  • Effect of personal experience on the life of others.
  • How to give life suggestions to a serious person?
  • Can one think positively for other’s success?


Students of the college have to think about the facts behind choosing the correct topic for a reflective essay. It is not mandatory to connect every item with a personal issue; however, writing about the experienced subject can make a perfect reflective essay. If in any case, college students find difficult to write up reflective papers can contact StudentAssignmentHelp.com.

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