Five Steps for Writing Effective Reflection Papers
1. Focus your feelings
Before writing a reflection paper, the writer needs to stop and decide what it is that he or she going to write about. By establishing a theme, the writer will be able to write in a clear and concise manner.
2. Be organized
Being organized will also allow the writer to write in a clear, concise, and cogent manner.
Make a point--State what you have established as your theme and the pertinent information that surrounds the theme.
Divide your paper into paragraphs--Give each major point its own space so that the reader will be able to understand and conceptualize the different components of your theme.
Use topic sentences in paragraphs--These sentences should correspond with your major points and draw the attention of the reader.
A reflection paper is not a random free-flow of ideas. It needs to grab the interest of the reader and present ideas in a clear, concise, and cogent manner. (This is correct ,...your paper should not be a diary!!! added by Ashley)
3. Develop observations and feelings Observations and feelings are an essential component of a reflection paper; however, in order for these components to be properly conveyed by the writer, they must be developed.
Identify specific aspects or components of the situation that has been observed. v. Where did the observation take place? 4. Review your work at the sentence level
Use good sentence structure--Remember the Mnemonic Device K.I.S.S==> Keep It Simple Stupid: Do not pack your sentences full of ideas but, keep them focused.
Avoid sentence fragments--Write complete sentences that have a subject and verb.
Avoid fused sentences--Two sentences that have been fused together into one sentence.
Choose language which expresses your meaning--Again remember K.I.S.S., simplicity brings clarity. The writer does not need to use language that...