Reflective Journal
Writing
Class Objectives:
• What is Reflection?
• Reflection Criteria
• 3 tips to write reflection
What is Reflection?
“... the ways that professionals learn from experience in order to understand and develop
their practice.” (Jasper, 2003, p.2).
Reflection is a way of thought that aims to get a deeper understanding of an
experience and lead to new learning (Queen Margaret University, 2021).
Reflective writing is more personal than general academic writing. At the
same time, a reflection should be calm and thoughtful in tone.
You are examining feelings after the event and should not sound ‘in the grip’ of
them, however strong the emotions were at the time.
Useful phrases:
• I think…
• I felt…
• I was aware…
• I realized…
• I was uncomfortable about.. Looking back, I now think.
(Queen Margaret University, 2021)
Reflection Criteria
Use these headings to guide you when writing your reflections.
Sections 3-7 most important. Keep sections 1 & 2 brief.
1. General Information
• Your name.
• The title of the event.
• The date of the event.
• The organizer and presenters of the event.
• The location of the event.
2. Description
Details of the event/ development activity.
• What was the experience?
• What was the purpose?
3. Self-analysis
• What were your thoughts/ feelings/ values/
attitudes/ reactions/ assumptions?
• What was the reason/thinking behind you taking
part in this activity?
4. Analysis of Learning
The learnings from the event or activity:
• What did you learn?
• Use literature to derive understanding.
( MUST USE THE LITERATURE)
5. Application in Context
Those learnings relevant to you. (YOU)
Application in Context- General:
• How does it link to previous knowledge,
experience, learning, assumptions?
• How does it help you explain or understand (or
not) previous knowledge, experiences?
6. Evaluation
• Evaluate/discuss/debate the learning.
• Critically evaluate area (both sides or
angles):
• Was the experience/event/learning good or
bad?
• Did you agree/disagree and why?
7. Reconstruct Self-concept
• After evaluation, how do those learnings
change you (YOU)? Why?
8. Action
As a result of those learnings/ change in self-concept,
what have you done or plan to do to put that into
practice (action/application)?
• What are your plans for future actions to apply
this learning ?
Tip 1: Use Reflection Criteria Headings
Some students are not using reflection criteria headings which causes
them to miss out on answering critical questions. This may result in loss of
marks.
Tip 2: Build a Strong Arguments.
“I think”, “I know” is not enough to build a strong argument.
You need to support your statements by referring to specific past experiences,
academic and industry research.
Example:
According to Alan “insert definition of communication”… Research states that effective
leaders need to have good communications skills (insert citation). I want to be an effective
leader and I decided to enhance my communication skills because now my skillset is
poor. It is poor because (link back to a specific example in the past) Research says that
doing these activities (insert activity) can enhance my communication skills (insert
citation). Therefore, I chose to do presentation skills workshop.
Tip 3: Follow General Rules
• Check spelling.
• Do not use bold font.
• Do not use red for headings.
• Do not start a sentence with a small letter.
• Font type: Times New Roman.
• Size: 12.
• Spacing: 1.5.
THANKS
Any questions?
References:
Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis
and Argument. 2nd ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Drew, S. and Bingham, R. (2001). The student skills guide. 2nd ed.
England: Gower.
Jasper, M. (2003). Beginning reflective practice. Cheltenham: Nelson
Thornes.
Kolb, D. A. (1984) Experiential Learning: experience as the source of
learning and development. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Queen Margaret University. (2021). Reflection. Available at:
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/media/5533/reflection-2014.pdf [Accessed 16
September 2021].
