


It can be okay not to explicitly state the importance in the introduction, but leave it to develop throughout your reflection. You might find that it is not natural to highlight the importance of an event before you have developed your argument for what you gained from it. This can be why the learning you gained will benefit you or why you appreciate it in your context.This can be suggesting why this event was important for the learning you gained.This is a question of personal preference – if you aren’t given explicit guidance you can ask the assessor if they have a preference, however both can work. Alternatively, start with the event and build up your argument. When structuring your academic reflections it might make sense to start with what you have learned and then use the main body to evidence that learning, using specific experiences and events. This can be the reflective prompt you were given.Identifies and introduces your experience or learning Remember this is only a suggestion and you must consider what is appropriate for the task at hand and for you yourself. That being said, as learning tends to happen when analysing and synthesising rather than describing, a good rule of thumb is to describe just enough such that the reader understands your context.Įxample structure for academic reflectionsīelow is an example of how you might structure an academic reflection if you were given no other guidance and what each section might contain. However, there is not one set of rules for the proportion of your reflection that should be spent describing the context, and what proportion should be spent on analysing and concluding. You want an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.Īcademic reflection will require you to both describe the context, analyse it, and make conclusions. For the structure you want to mirror an academic essay closely. Contrary to some people’s belief, reflection is not just a personal diary talking about your day and your feelings.īoth the language and the structure are important for academic reflective writing. Reflection you do where you are the only intended audience.Īcademic reflections or reflective writing completed for assessment often require a clear structure. Academic reflection will be used primarily, but refer to all three areas. TermĪny kind of reflection that is expected to be presented for assessment in an academic, professional, or skill development context. Guidance on the structure of academic reflections.
