Reflective Writing

1. Embrace Reflection for Deeper Learning

You could say that reflection is not about what you’re going to have for dinner this evening as you whizz round the shops. But it could be.

Purposeful thinking. Reflection is more than casual thought; it's a deliberate process of examining experiences, ideas, and learning, especially when there isn't an obvious or immediate solution. It moves beyond simple description to engage with complex issues, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and the subject matter. This conscious engagement helps transform raw experience into meaningful insights.

Core characteristics. Being reflective requires a specific mindset that enhances learning and problem-solving. Key traits include:

• Openness: Seeing things from multiple angles.
• Curiosity: Asking probing questions.
• Patience: Acknowledging that complex issues require time.
• Honesty: Confronting uncertainties and mistakes.
• Rigour: Being analytical and acting on insights.
  These qualities make the learning process transparent to others, allowing them to follow your intellectual journey.

Learning transformation. Reflection is a powerful catalyst for learning, enabling students to identify patterns, recognize strengths, and understand areas needing improvement. It's a purposeful activity that can fundamentally change how we think, act, and plan for future endeavors. This transformative power extends beyond academic settings, making individuals "reflective practitioners" in their professional and personal lives.

2. Reflective Writing: Personal, Yet Rigorous

Your writing is personal, but not private.

Navigating expectations. Students often feel uncertain about reflective writing, questioning the use of "I" or the need for references when expressing personal thoughts. The core distinction is that while reflective writing draws on personal experiences and thoughts, it is ultimately for an audience—tutors, mentors, or future employers—who expect to see evidence of learning and analysis, not just raw emotion.

Discipline-specific nuances. The nature and expectations of reflective writing vary significantly across different academic disciplines. What constitutes "reflection" in Product Design (e.g., design process, teamwork) might differ from Biological Sciences (e.g., critical cynicism, data interpretation) or Education (e.g., improving teaching practice). Each field trains students in specific ways of thinking, and reflective writing is a tool to demonstrate mastery of these disciplinary approaches.

Task clarity is crucial. Before embarking on reflective writing, carefully examine the assignment brief and any provided guidance. Tasks can range from diaries and learning logs to portfolios and critical incident reports, each with specific requirements for content, structure, and assessment. Understanding the "what," "why," and "who" of the task—what to produce, why it's required, and for whom you are writing—is the essential first step to meeting expectations.

3. Elevate Your Thinking with Critical Reflection

Good reflective writing shows the same qualities as good ‘critical’ writing, with two key differences.

Beyond description. Reflective writing is intrinsically linked to critical thinking, moving beyond mere description to analysis and evaluation. The "stairway to critical thinking" illustrates this progression, from processing information to justifying conclusions. Reflective writing incorporates these critical qualities, but with a unique focus on the individual's journey and thought processes.

The critical stairway:

• Process: Taking in information.
• Understand: Comprehending key points.
• Describe: Explaining what happened.
• Analyse: Examining components and relationships.
• Compare: Exploring similarities and differences.
• Synthesise: Bringing sources together for an argument.
• Evaluate: Assessing worth and relevance.
• Apply: Using understanding in new contexts.
• Justify: Developing arguments and drawing conclusions.
  Reflective writing makes the individual's engagement with these steps transparent.

Personal visibility. The two key distinctions of reflective writing are the increased visibility of "you" and your thinking, and the inclusion of your personal journey—your actions, thoughts, readings, changes, and future plans—as part of the subject matter. This personal dimension, combined with critical analysis, allows readers to see how your understanding and skills evolve over time, leading to deeper, more meaningful learning outcomes.

4. Strategic Questions Guide Your Reflective Process

Six strategic questions can be used to get started on tackling any task.

Structured inquiry. To effectively approach any reflective writing task, a systematic questioning process is invaluable. By asking "What?", "Why?", "Who?", "How?", "When?", and "Where?", you can clarify the assignment's parameters and develop a robust action plan. This ensures you address all requirements and understand the underlying purpose of the task.

Clarifying the task:

• What? Exactly what are you asked to produce (format, length, structure)?
• Why? What is the purpose of this reflective task (learning outcomes, skill development)?
• Who? Who is your audience (yourself, tutor, employer) and what are they looking for?
  Answering these initial questions helps define the scope and expectations, moving you from confusion to clarity.

Developing an action plan. Once the initial questions are clear, focus on the practicalities of execution. "How" will you write to match the expected style? "When" are the deadlines, and when will you write (before, during, after an event)? "Where" will you conduct your research and writing? If gaps remain after this self-interrogation, seeking clarification from your tutor is a proactive step, potentially benefiting the wider student group.

5. Master the Language of Self-Expression

Your ‘voice’ shines through in reflective writing more directly than in any other form of writing.

Varying "I" usage. While reflective writing centers on your experiences, constantly starting sentences with "I" can become repetitive. Employing diverse writing strategies keeps your prose engaging and allows you to control the focus. Techniques include:

• Placing a phrase before "I" (e.g., "Initially, I…", "On further reflection, I…").
• Starting with "it" or "this" (e.g., "It became apparent to me…", "This made me question…").
• Using an "-ing" phrase (e.g., "Looking back…", "After reflecting on this incident, I…").
• Starting with the idea itself (e.g., "The exercise was…", "A key finding of this study is…").
  These variations enhance readability and sophistication.

Choosing verb forms. The choice of verb tense signals your writing's purpose and temporal context to the reader. Different forms convey whether you are:

• Describing completed actions (simple past: "I found," "I identified").
• Explaining current beliefs or opinions (simple present: "I believe," "I realise").
• Outlining future plans (simple future/modals: "Next time I will," "I should have").
  This deliberate use of verb forms helps structure your narrative, moving seamlessly between past experiences, present insights, and future intentions.

Mindful communication. Reflective writing, especially in online or collaborative contexts, demands careful language. Without immediate feedback cues like body language, words carry significant weight. Before "sending," reflect on the tone and potential impact of your message. Aim for neutral, constructive language that invites discussion rather than inflaming feelings, making it easier for others to engage and for you to articulate your understanding.

6. Reflection Adapts to Every Academic Context

Reflection lies at the heart of all learning and research, even when the need for it is not explicitly stated.

Journals for development. Reflective diaries, learning journals, and portfolios are common across disciplines, serving as records of personal and professional development. In creative and technical fields (e.g., Product Design, Architecture), journals document the iterative process of observation, analysis, experimentation, and adaptation. For professional courses (e.g., Education, Health and Social Care), they track practice, identify areas for growth, and plan future actions.

Assessment and criteria. When journals are assessed, understanding the learning outcomes and assessment criteria is paramount. Tutors look for evidence of specific learning, critical thinking, and the application of theory to practice. In creative fields, self-assessment against criteria like "quality of drawn line" or "accuracy of observation" is encouraged. For professional placements, evidence of self-awareness, skill development, and alignment with professional standards is key.

Research and experimentation. Even in scientific and research-heavy disciplines where "reflection" might not be explicitly named, it underpins the entire process. Research diaries document progress, uncertainties, decisions, and next steps. In experimental work, reflection is crucial for interpreting results, identifying limitations, and refining methodologies. Computer modeling, too, involves continuous reflection on assumptions, outcomes, and alternative approaches, driving the iterative cycle of plan, do, test, and reflect.

7. Bridge Theory and Practice Through Reflection

The purpose is to show that you can see the link between the theories, ideas and approaches you read about, and their relevance to your personal experience.

Beyond mere referencing. Simply dropping references into your writing isn't enough; the goal is to demonstrate a clear connection between academic theories, concepts, and your personal experiences or observations. This involves understanding the content of your reading and then reflecting on its implications for your practice, beliefs, and knowledge. Effective reflective writing consciously weaves these two strands together, rather than presenting them in parallel.

Applying new insights. Learning truly occurs when you can apply new ideas or information from your studies to real-world situations. This ability to use, critique, or refute theories based on your experience is a hallmark of higher-level critical thinking. Reflection helps you identify these points of connection, allowing you to show how reading explains, interprets, provides evidence for, or challenges your initial understanding.

Structuring the link. You can organize your writing to explicitly show this connection. Whether you start by describing an experience and then link it to theory, or introduce a theoretical concept and then illustrate it with your experience, the key is to make the relationship transparent. This discussion of implications—how what you've read informs what you do and how you think—is what elevates your writing from descriptive to deeply reflective and analytical.

8. Frameworks Provide Structure for Insight

A ‘framework’ offers a structure for thinking and for analysing a problem, situation or experience.

Systematic analysis. Reflective frameworks provide a structured approach to thinking about and analyzing experiences, problems, or situations. They help you systematically draw out learning points that might otherwise be overlooked. If given a choice, justifying your selection of a particular framework demonstrates critical thinking about its suitability for your specific context.

Key frameworks include:

• Rolfe et al. (2001) – What? So what? Now what?: A simple yet powerful model for outlining a situation, discussing what was learned, and identifying future implications.
• Schön (1983) – Reflection before, during, and after action: Encourages continuous reflection, examining expectations, real-time adjustments, and post-event insights.
• Honey and Mumford (1986) – The learning cycle (Do, Reflect, Plan, Form principles): Views learning as cyclical, where each experience leads to new principles and subsequent actions.

Gibbs' Reflective Cycle. Graham Gibbs' (1988) model is particularly popular, emphasizing the role of feelings and emotions in learning. Its stages—Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, Action Plan—guide a comprehensive review of an incident. This framework is especially valuable in practitioner courses like healthcare, as it facilitates the generation of generalisations and concepts that can be applied to new situations, fostering continuous professional development.

9. Substantiate Your Reflections with Evidence

If your reader is to see you as a thoughtful, reflective person, your evidence needs to be convincing.

Beyond opinion. Reflective writing is not an invitation for unsupported personal opinions. While your voice and perspective are central, every claim, insight, or judgment must be substantiated with convincing evidence. Without it, statements can appear as mere assertions, lacking the academic rigor expected in higher education.

The right kind of evidence:

• Academic context: Lecturers seek evidence that links personal experiences to scholarly literature, theories, and research (e.g., citing authors who conceptualize your situation).
• Professional context: Employers look for evidence that demonstrates how you apply your learning to actions that contribute to job performance and organizational goals (e.g., showing how a communication strategy led to a successful outcome).
  The type of evidence you provide must align with your audience's expectations.

STAR technique for clarity. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique, often extended to STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection), offers a structured way to present your evidence. It helps you articulate your skills and experiences by providing a concise narrative of:

• Situation: What happened?
• Task: What did you need to do?
• Action: What did you do to solve the problem?
• Result: What was the outcome, and what did you learn?
• Reflection: What would you do differently next time?
  This framework ensures your claims are backed by specific, compelling examples, making your reflections credible and impactful.

10. Cultivate Reflection as a Lifelong Habit

Transformation is what education and learning are about.

Beyond academia. Reflection is not merely an academic exercise to complete a course; it's a fundamental habit for continuous personal and professional growth. Employers actively seek candidates who can demonstrate self-awareness, learning from experience, and adaptability—all hallmarks of a reflective individual. Mastering reflective skills during your studies directly prepares you for the demands of the professional world.

Preparing for employment. Self-reflection is crucial for navigating career choices and job applications. Workshops like "What's your story?" help map your past experiences, learnings, and future aspirations, forming a compelling narrative. "Can you do it?" encourages a critical match between your skills and job descriptions, while "I'm good at…" helps identify and evidence your strengths. This groundwork enables you to confidently answer employers' key questions: "What can you do?", "What do you want?", and "Who are you?".

Professional development. In professional life, reflection continues through annual appraisals, feedback responses, and problem-solving. Healthcare professionals use structured reflective accounts for continuing professional development (CPD) and revalidation, focusing on learning from specific incidents to improve practice. Newly qualified teachers reflect on classroom observations, and artists on exhibition challenges. This ongoing process of self-assessment, learning, and adaptation ensures continuous improvement and resilience in any career path.

Last updated: January 17, 2026