A Comprehensive Guide to Write a Reflective Essay with Sample Essays

Concept of a Reflective Essay 

Reflective essays chronicle an event or experience. Then they analyze the meaning of that experience and what can be learned from it. The essay is called reflective as the writer is analyzing a past event from the present. 

For reflective essays, the writer needs to open up about their thoughts and emotions to portray a true picture of their history, personality, and individual traits. Their portrayal should include a vivid summary and description of the experience to ensure that the reader feels they have experienced it as well. Additionally, they should include an explanation of your feelings, thoughts, and reactions. 

With our experience in providing reflective essay writing services, we have observed that the commonest subjects in a reflective essay include the following: 

• Something you did multiple times  
• A significant experience that happened once 
• A place or a particular object  
• Something that you imagined 
• Something you’ve felt, read, seen, observed, touched, tasted, smelled, or heard. 

Topic Ideas for a Reflective Essay 

If the above couldn’t already spark an idea of what you would like to write about, then below are a few topics or prompt ideas for a reflective essay. 

1. Places You’ve Been to 

2. Life-Altering Events 

3. Recurring or Significant Thoughts 

4. Impactful Experiences 

5. Important People in Your Life 

Ways To Organize a Reflective Paper 

The way you organize a reflective essay will be quite similar to other types of essays. We have cited an outline of an engaging reflective essay for your use below. 

Introductory Paragraph 

Your first paragraph should be the introduction in which you identify the subject and provide the reader with a general overview of the impression it made on you. Your introductory paragraph should also comprise a thesis statement to serve as the focal point of your paper. 

Example Thesis: “Why was I enjoying while walking down this garden? I realized it was because the garden and its flowers had always been a place of interest for me.” 

Body Paragraphs 

1. In the first body paragraph, write about a particular reason your subject has impressed you that it did. Then, write about why. This is a reflective essay. So, you can speculate. There aren’t any right or wrong answers in this type of essay. 

2. In the second body paragraph, write about the next reason your subject has impressed you that it did. Then, write about why. 

3. In the third body paragraph, write about the last reason your subject has impressed you that it did. Then, write about why. 

Conclusion 

Summarise your thesis statement and the reasons that you provided in the body of your essay. Recap your article with some conclusive thoughts on your subject, and a few reflective thoughts for closing. 

Example Conclusion: “I sent my photo of “For Dorothy” to my friend along with a text letting her know how much I am grateful for her help in letting me know that we can always find places to chill and renew amid our hectic lives. Now, I wish to help Dorothy have a day off of her own, and I’m hoping someday we can take a trip to the hills together.” 

Ways to Write a Reflection Paper 

Writing a reflective essay, also known as a reflection paper or reflective paper, is very easy if you follow the step-by-step instructions provided by us below. 

1. Choose a Topic Idea 

If no topic has been assigned to you and you also don’t have any topic in mind, check the list of topics mentioned above for inspiration. The initial step to writing an outstanding reflective essay is to choose a topic, that too wisely. 

Example: “I’m visiting my school where I have spent the best years of my life. I am excited that I shall pass through the same lanes, alleys, and parks. So, I’m going to write about that.” 

2. Study Your Subject 

Based on your topic, you may have to close your eyes and remember, read, watch, listen, or imagine. Devote some minutes to vividly thinking or re-experiencing your subject. 

Example: “I had gone for a walk along the beach today. The water, sand, and wind were thoroughly enjoyable. I remembered several other beach walks I’ve taken. So, today’s beach walk filled my mind with memories of other beach trips.” 

3. Brainstorm 

Write down whatever you can think regarding your subject. You wish to describe this subject as clearly as you can, so think about tastes, smells, and noises, along with what you observe. Try to write down eloquent adjectives to describe these sensory experiences. Use more sense-describing words for help. Write these down in sentences or phrases. You only have to get as much down as you can. Later, you will convert this into a paragraph. 

Example: “I saw the roll of the waves approaching in a roar up to the shore. The waves were relentlessly beating over and over on the beach. Though every wave is the same, yet each wave seemed distinctive. I also witnessed that a cloud was covering the sun. It reflected the light so that rays spread out in every direction. I felt some freshness in the salt smell of the spray. It was clean. The cool foam of the edge of the wave kissed and covered my feet while they sank into the sand. I walked along with my sandals in one hand, taking pictures of the sand, the gulls, and the waves. Had I missed the chance to take a selfie of myself against the ocean waves, I would have repented.” 

4. Pick Reflection Questions 
We have prepared a list of a few reflection questions below. You need to select at least three that you wish to answer. 

• What did I see? 
• How did I feel? 
• Why do I feel this way? 
• How has this changed me? 
• What might I have done differently? 
• What is the significance of this event in my life? 
• Is there any similarity with something else that I’ve experienced? 
• Was this a good or a bad thing for me? 
• What skills did I learn? 
• How can I apply everything that I learned in my life? 
• Can I apply this experience to my studies? 
• Can this help me in my career? 

Example: “I picked the questions: What did I see? What skills did I learn? Can this help me in my career? 

 5. Answer the Questions You Selected 

Read your questions, then answer them accordingly.  

Conclusion 

If you need additional guidance, then you can feel free to get in touch with us as we provide the best essay writing services in the UK. Many students have immensely benefitted from our services