Purpose: A reflective essay is a form of writing that examines and observes the progress of the writer’s individual experience. While reflective essays explain and analyze the development of the writer, they also discuss future goals. This should include a discussion of the strengths you have developed as a writer as well as your weaknesses. Closely related to these weaknesses, writers could also discuss how they plan to improve in the future. When writing a reflective essay, it is important to use descriptive language. In doing so, your reader will understand that you are familiar with the subject matter and that you have thought critically about your development as a student.
 
Reflective essays are based upon your own experiences, so it is expected that you write about yourself, your ideas, and your opinions. Since the reflective essay is built upon personal experience, the writer has the liberty of being as creative as necessary. At the same time, do not let a focus on creativity take precedence over the important task of proving to your reader how you have grown as a student.
 
Introduction – It should:
 
•             Be one paragraph inlength.
 
•             Present the purpose of your reflection without giving your reader too much detail about the body of yourpaper.
 
•             Tell your reader if you met your goals or the goals of theclass/project.
 
•             Be brief preview to the rest of yourreflection.
 
Body – The body should:
 
•             Discuss in detail your development as astudent and your understanding of the theme of identity.
 
•             Provide clear and specificexamples
 
o             Address some questions such as: how did you grow over the course of the class? What have you learned? Can you apply what you have learned to your future academic or life pursuits? How did you or did you not meet your goals or the goals of the class/project you were involvedin?
 
o             Not just tell the reader whether or not you met these goals. Show the reader by using illustrations from class or other relevant experiences. Use specific assignments and discuss what you’ve learned through them; describe the theme of identity and how the assignments played into the theme.
 
o             Include discussion of skills you can improve on and how do you plan on doing so in thefuture.
 
Conclusion – It should:
 
•             Remind the reader of the ways in which you have developed as a student. Recap the body of the essay with a mind towards removing any doubt that you have grown as a writer.