Step 1 Provide a summary. Write a narrative of your experience with the topic upon which you are reflecting. Detail factual information, as well as your feelings and impressions. Do not retell the story. Internalize the information and tell how you felt after reading it and how can it relate to something you have experienced or witnessed.
Step 2 Compare your experience with your prior knowledge. Introduce any ideas that you have encountered. Point out why you feel the concept pertains to the experience.
Step 3 Analyze your experience according to the theoretical concept. Illustrate how your experience diverged from what the theory expects as well as how closely it conformed to theoretical expectations. Discuss why you feel the theory either described or did not describe your experiences.
Step 4 Edit your reflection paper. Look for the thesis of your paper. Adjust your paper to keep a consistent focus on that thesis. Check for grammatical and stylistic errors.
Reflection Essays Outline-This is for your use. Please do not submit it with your reflection.
Step 1 Make a list of the main points of the speech, film, or story. You should have at least four or five key points.
Step 2 Expand each of the items listed in Step 1. Think of quotes, examples, and details that support the main items.
Step 3 List your thoughts and feelings on each of the main points. Give examples from your own life that relate to these points when possible.
Step 4 Write an introduction for your paper. The introduction should include a summary of the speech, film, or incident you are reflecting on. Your final sentence–the thesis statement–should give an overview of your thoughts.
Step 5 Write a conclusion for your paper. This should give a summary of the material or explain how you will use this information in the future.
