Key Features Of Reflective Writing

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Reflective writing
This guide is part of a series looking at particular areas of learning that are relevant to practice-based study modules. It explores how to write an assignment which is based upon, or includes, reflective thinking, and has advice on: * The challenges of reflective writing * Key features of reflective writing * Using academic evidence in reflective writing * Selecting the content * Getting the language right
You can also download a printable (PDF) version of this guide onReflective writing (designed
It may feel particularly difficult and more challenging than other forms of academic writing as it involves thinking and writing about anxieties and errors as well as successes in your interactions with an individual or when carrying out a practical task. Try to stand back from the situation and be as objective as possible. Although you are writing about your own experiences and feelings, you need to be as rigorous and thorough as you would be for any other assignment.
Follow the guidelines for your course. There is likely to be a word limit: you cannot write about everything, so select what will illustrate your discussion best. Remember that most of the marks awarded for your work are likely to be for the reflective insights and not for the description of events, so keep your descriptions brief and to the point. back to
So you will need to keep comparing the two and exploring the relationship between them.
Analyze the event and think about it with reference to a particular theory or academic evidence. Are your observations consistent with the theory, models or published academic evidence? How can the theories help you to interpret your experience? Also consider how your experience in practice helps you to understand the theories. Does it seem to bear out what the theories have predicted? Or is it quite different? If so, can you identify why it's different? (Perhaps you were operating in different circumstances from the original research, for instance.)
- Be selective: Identify challenging or successful parts of the encounter. Reflect deeply on a few significant aspects and learning points.
- Discuss your reflections with others to deepen your insight, improve your ability to express your ideas and help to explore a range of perspectives.
- Collect evidence There are two sources of evidence which need to be used in reflective writing assignments:
1) Your reflections form essential evidence of your experiences. Keep notes on your reflections and the developments that have occurred during the