Model of a Reflection Paper
The following model leads you through the important steps involved
in writing a Reflection Paper, from analysing the question to compiling
a reference list. Note that analysing
the question and making
a plan are just as important to the process of writing a Reflection
Paper as they are to formal essay writing.
The Question
Describe the conditions under which you feel learning
best occurs. Support your ideas with reference to your reading and your
own experiences (Length: 1500 words).
The first step: Analysing the question
This is a relatively straightforward question; nevertheless, breaking
it into parts using the four steps outlined above (in Essay Writing)
will help you to be absolutely sure that you are covering all aspects
of the question. In this case, the instruction word describe
is not quite what it seems, so conducting the question analysis has
helped clarify what is required.
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1. Identify the subject
The conditions under which learning best occurs.
2. Identify the instruction
Describe and support:
In this question, the instruction describe should not
be taken at face value. Although it usually means a simple recall
of facts, processes and events (see Instruction
Words), here you are asked to support your description with
reading and experience. Thus, the question is really asking
you to discuss the conditions under which learning best
occurs.
Here is the definition of discuss from the list of Instruction
Words (in Essay Writing): ‘Present a point of view, that
of others and/or your own. This will involve description and
interpretation. The view you present should be supported by
arguments and evidence’.
3. Identify the key aspects in this particular question
conditions: what could be meant by conditions? environment?
curriculum? teachers' attitudes?
reading: refer to theory
own experiences: schooling; Dispersed Days; Pracs
4. Are there any other significant words to take into account?
best : this seems an insignificant word, but by thinking
about it carefully, you will remember to carefully evaluate
your list of conditions so that you only include the most important
in your answer. As you do this, you will be asking yourself
why is one condition more important than another, and through
thinking about this your level of response to the question will
be deepened.
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