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Using Reflection Paper Examples to Better Your Writing Skills

Using Reflection Paper Examples to Better Your Writing Skills

A reflection paper is an essay in which you examine your life experiences and share with the world. In essence, it helps us think more about ourselves in terms of who we are and how we have changed through time. Read on to find great reflection paper examples to give you a deeper understanding of how to write reflection content.

While the format of a reflection paper may be slightly different from common academic writings, it takes the basic stricture of an essay. For example, a reflection paper for college or university will be slightly different from that of a magazine. This distinction is important because of the variation in the audience for each case.

Key elements to look for in reflection paper examples

Good reflection paper examples must have an introduction, the body, and the conclusion. This section discusses the three parts in details. Take a look.

The three main parts of a reflection paper are:

  • You orient the reader, stating the purpose of your paper and your thesis statement. Briefly tell your audience about the main issues, which you will be discussing in the paper. In most cases, writers tell the readers indirectly about their theme. However, be clear and direct when writing an academic reflection paper and bring out the aspects of your life experiences you intend to share with the audience.
  • Body. It has the supporting details and concluding sentences for your paper. This section may have three paragraphs. This section talks about what you have learned or how you have changed within some period. Also, talk about the factors, which contributed to your change. For academic writing, you may explain things that have helped you throughout the year to improve your writing skills.
  • Conclusion. Restate your thesis and summarize your argument. In this section, sum up how you have changed or how the topic has transformed you into a different person. You may also choose to look ahead or look backward. In looking ahead, you bring out how you expect the experience you went through to shape your future. In looking backward, you focus your state before the experience. Comparing the past and the future is essential in emphasizing the difference.

Having digested the three main parts in writing, the following reflection paper examples will help you understand this section better.

Sample Reflective paper #1

My English Writing Skills

As English scholar, I have learned to engage with the thoughts of a writer on a page. Since I was a college student, I wanted to understand what the author intended to pass across in any manuscript. However, I found out that this would be impossible when handling different forms of literature. Noteworthy, individual understanding is vital and may bring out insights that the author did not have in mind.

Even though I have always been a thinker, I have honed my critical thinking skills over the years. I always ask myself ‘why’ whenever I am reading any piece and dig deeper to get fine details that help me get satisfying close read. I have learned to read with a pen, which help me to connect back with my previous thoughts.

I have always had strength in writing. However, moving beyond five paragraphs was not possible even after high school. Today, I have learned how to sustain an argument for long. My writing has also become concise.

This excerpt above shows the basic elements to capture when writing a reflection paper. You can access the entire paper by visiting english.csuci.edu. You will also view more reflection paper examples.

Tips on how to write an appealing reflection paper

Writing a reflection paper and finding good examples can be mind boggling. However, with the following tips and examples, you will find this exercise more interesting.

STEP 1: Identify the main theme of your paper. Every reflection paper must have a theme. Since you cannot lamp your life experiences in a single essay, pick on a specific area that you wish to explore in your writing.

Summarize your experience in two or three sentences. Ensure that the sentences are descriptive and straight to the point.

STEP 2: Note down outstanding material. Since you will not use every material that pops in your head, write down materials that stand out. Also, determine why this material stands out.

For readings and lecture notes, you may consider doing summary of passages or jotting down important quotations.

For experiences, capture specific areas of your experience. You may write a brief story of an event that happened during your outstanding experience.

STEP 3: Keep your essay short. Good reflection paper examples are always short and precise. The standard length for a reflection essay is between 300 and 700 words. Focus on what matters and interesting for the reader.

In academic writing, it is important to adhere to your tutor’s instructions instead of following the above average.

If the instructions demand a word count outside this limit, then meet your professor’s instructions.

Sample Reflective paper #2

Country Music: The second Time around

I despised country music for a long time. I hated anything about this genre of music. From the slow background instruments to the corny lyrics and long hair of artists, I detested everything about country. Since I did not know the singer, I felt detached from their music. Though I owned a dog, I knew no one with a pickup truck. My heart was wounded; none of my tears fell in my beer.

To complicate my misery, I had a part time in a radio station, which played nothing but country music. Twenty years later, country music was not as bad as before. The question is, did I change or did the music change? The music changed and I gained liking for it.

From this example, the writer focuses on one theme, country music. It is clear that the writer’s experiences in life had an impact on his attitude towards country music. He also tells the reader about the past and current situation, including reasons for the change. You can access the rest of the reflection from wikihow.com

Other examples of reflection paper examples include the following:

These papers have been written nicely by professional writers and can be an excellent guide for you in mastering reflection paper writing.

Pointers of good reflection paper examples for excellent writers

When you get an assignment to write a reflection paper, it is a chance to reinforce what you have learned in class, personal experience and lecture notes. Though reflection papers largely draw from your personal experiences and feelings, you equally need multiple sources and concrete examples.

Students who pursue practical courses or on internships find reflection papers priceless because they help them when synthesizing theoretical knowledge against practical skills. Mastering this art is therefore essential, as you will gain competence in arranging your thoughts methodically and logically.

The following guideline should always be at the back of your mind:

Reveal information with wisdom. Remember that a reflection paper focuses on your subjective feelings and opinions. Instead of emptying everything about you, take a second thought and think through.

If you are comfortable revealing some personal experiences about your life, then do not include in your reflection paper.

If the issue is unavoidable but you are uncomfortable talking about it, write in general terms. Point out the issue and bring out your academic and professional concerns.

Keep your writing professional. Excellent reflection paper examples have professional and academic tones all through.

Avoid dragging other people into your writing. As the center of the paper, focus on personal experiences and feelings.

While you have the freedom to use the first person pronoun in your entire paper, do not leave out factual information that supports your arguments.

Use good language. Desist from using slang. Use correct spelling and stick to standard grammar. No one has time for flawed write-ups, even the laziest readers. Avoid internet abbreviations like LOL, OMG etc.

Sample #3

Consider this Art Essay on Artwork, written by a professional writer. The introductory paragraph says:

“I consider Pohl’s argument very convincing because the analysis in the textbook is anchored on an article by Albert Biome. This is denotes that difficulties in representing messages using art.”

From this excerpt, the writer introduces the essay by stating his position towards a particular argument. With this, opening remarks, the reader is aware of your position and expects subsequent sections to back your claim.

Would you like assistance in handling your academic papers? We offer customized and reliable writing services. To place your order, simply contact us, and we will respond instantly. You may also visit our homepage or continue reading our blog to understand different academic papers or better still, browse our sample papers freely.

ONLINE SOURCES:

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Reflection-Paper

http://condor.depaul.edu/writing/writers/Types_of_Writing/reflectiveessay.html

http://classroom.synonym.com/steps-writing-reflection-paper-2543.html

http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-reflective-essay-definition-format-examples.html

https://www.utexas.edu/ugs/sites/default/files/bdp/docs/Reflection%20Essay%20Examples.pdf

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