How to Write a Reflective Essay Format Structure

How to Write a Reflective Essay Format Structure So, you are assigned to write a reflective essay. What’s next? Unfortunately, many students get lost with such an assignment simply because they cannot find enough credible information on how to properly write this paper. Your Writers are ready to fix this problem! There are actually two important points to pay your attention to when writing a reflective essay: format and structure. However, the first thing you should completely understand is what exactly you need to write. A reflective essay is a piece of academic writing that requires you not only to describe a certain event or experience in your life but also to analyze how it has affected you as a person. In other words, it is all about your personal reflection and ability to show your own perception of certain events. Now as you know what to write about, let’s move on to the reflective essay format and its types. Reflective essay format types Although a reflective essay is an academic paper, it greatly differs from many other essay types. In general, the format of a reflective essay is more like an interesting story about you and your life than a serious piece of writing. Moreover, you don’t need to support your thesis with any facts or evidence â€" all you need is to describe your feelings, show your reflection, and provide your own opinion on a particular event or experience. This is probably the main reason why MLA and APA styles are the best choices when it comes to the format of your reflective essay. However, sometimes Chicago and AMA styles can also be used. The best you can do is check your college requirements on the reflective essay format or consult your professor or instructor. Reflective essay structure As for the paper structure, there is no specific format of the reflective essay, which means that, in most cases, you are free to decide what to write about and how to actually write it. However, just like with many other academic papers, a reflective essay should consist of three major parts: Introduction â€" the first part of your writing that should include a hook, your explanation or some background to the chosen topic, and your thesis or the central idea of your work. Body â€" the main paragraphs that should include the description of a particular event or your own experience and its effects on you and your life. Plus, you need to provide you reflection and thoughts on that particular event or experience. Conclusion â€" the last part of your writing intended for summarizing your main ideas, restating your thesis, and providing your final thoughts on the described event. A clear understanding of the reflective essay format and structure is the first step on your way to success. Once you know what to write about and how to do it right, you are ready to create a really good paper. Just focus on your personal experience, provide the reader with your thoughts, and don’t be afraid to describe your feelings!