TEN TIPS FOR WRITING EFFECTIVE REFLECTIONS
1 CLARIFY WHAT’S WANTED
Before proceeding, consult and highlight the Guidelines and Requirements provided
for this Reflection. Refer to these documents repeatedly as you prepare your work.
2 USE THE CHECKLIST
As you proceed and when you’re finishing, use the Checklist to ensure you’re
covering the essential content requirements.
3 KEEP IT TOGETHER
Give your Reflection a definite structure and ensure that it’s logical and coherent.
One simple framework is the one implied in the Requirements: start with “Describe
your workplace” and move systematically through all the other items in order.
4 BE PRECISE
Use language precisely and carefully when describing, analyzing and interpreting
your experience. Make sure you know the meaning of any new words that you want
to use.
5 SUPPORT YOURSELF
Support your assertions, generalizations and judgments with clearly described,
concrete examples where these are obviously necessary. Identify any of your
assumptions that might not be obvious on the surface.
6 DON’T “I” TOO MUCH
Saying “I feel” or “I think” occasionally is acceptable, but using such expressions too
often consumes valuable space -- and annoys the reader.
7 SAY IT SIMPLY
One way to impress readers is to say things so clearly, simply and plainly that they
can’t fail to understand you. This is the opposite of striving for effect by piling on
fancy adjectives, “big words,” and other embellishments.
8 BE YOUR OWN EDITOR
After you’ve written things up, leave it for a period of time, then put on the editor’s
hat. Look at the Reflection as if it had been written by someone else: What would
you ask the writer to improve?
9 REVISE, REVISE
Want to write like a real professional? Don’t treat your first draft as your final draft.
Revise part or all of the Reflection until it achieves your aims.
10 PROOFREAD!
Review your submission line-by-line before turning it in. Make sure it’s as clear,
professional and error-free as humanly possible. Pay strict attention to spelling,
grammar, typography, expression.
140208--saj