Reflection Paper Reflection Paper. Using the principles and theory of small group dynamics, describe the experience of working in your group. What was the dynamic of the group? What went well? Wh
Reflective essay outline
Reflection
A reflective essay should formally present personal or professional reflection on a topic. It may be preceded by brainstorming, list-making or deep thought. Professionals might refer to past reviews or other documentation of their recent performance. Reflective writing on more personal topics might require you to look over photographs or journal entries.
Organization
The reflective essay should follow the format of introduction, body and conclusion. In contrast to most formal academic essays, instructors encourage describing the past experience or development in question in chronological order. This means the best starting point is a description of the period before the event or period being described. Descriptions of your expectations or perspectives are particularly effective.
Transformation
The body of a reflective essay should describe the transformative experience that is the topic of the essay. It might describe in detail a new setting or frame of mind that appeared during this process. To create continuity with the introduction, this section often compares how an actual experience compared with one's expectations of it. This section should be balanced, covering the negative and positive aspects, as well as the challenges and joys of an experience. Professional reflective essays focus more strongly on what was learned through an experience.
Evaluation
A conclusion evaluates the experience, often in quantitative terms. It again reflects on the transformation that occurred but this time in more general, sweeping terms to give an aerial perspective of the development or experience. It might also include regrets or surprises confronted along the way. Most important, this section should impart to the reader the feelings, opinions and status of the person who has experienced the events covered in the essay. The writer should emphasize the transformation that occurred and conclude with an affirmation of the new perspective reached through the experience.
