Reflective Writing
What is reflective writing?
• Reflective writing is writing in which the writer gives their emotional reactions and
feelings on a topic that is personally connected to them – for example an idea, a
situation or an experience.
• It should be SUBJECTIVE (based on one’s personal opinions or feelings) and should
include personal pronouns (I, we, us, etc.).
What elements are included in reflective writing?
• Reflective writing will include aspects of description (review the Descriptive Writing
notes).
• It should include a personal interpretation of the topic (e.g. what does it mean to you?).
• Evaluate the experience/situation. This requires you to think deeply about the topic and
reflect on various aspects of it.
• Indicate how you plan to use the experience in the future.
Top tips
• Remember that you are writing about your OWN life experience. Don’t make something
up as it will be very hard to successfully reflect on something that you have never
experienced.
© Material designed by Curro Digital Learning. No part of it can be used without express written permission. Created by Bruce Robinson.
• Use the opportunity to think about how your life experiences have changed you in some
way.
• Look at the ways in which the situation on which you are reflecting connects to other
knowledge you possess or experiences you have had.
• Remember to include REFLECTIONS (evidence of deep thought on the topic). Don’t
simply describe or convey factual information.
USE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU REFLECT:
(NB! Your writing should not be a checklist of answers to these questions. These
questions should be used in the planning phase to ensure that you are interpreting and
evaluating your experience. The answers to these questions should be built into the
natural flow of the essay.)
1. What emotions did I feel? Why?
2. What did I especially notice? What made me see/hear/feel that?
3. What is the meaning of this experience? How do I know this?
4. Was there something that surprised me? What caused this?
5. What did I learn from this? Are there some changes I need to make?
6. What past experiences are similar to this one? How is this experience
the same or different from previous times?
7. How does this make me think about the future?
8. Have I changed because of this? How? Is this good or bad?
9. In what way was this a turning point for me?
10. What could I have done differently?
11. Is this an analogy for something else? What metaphors or similes
occur to me?
12. How can I use this experience to help someone else?
13. What really happened? Is that different from what I thought was
happening at the time?
© Material designed by Curro Digital Learning. No part of it can be used without express written permission. Created by Bruce Robinson.
