The Reflective

EssayCreated by: Prof. I. Cortés

Center for Language Development Across the Disciplines

What is an Essay?

An ESSAY is a “short piece of writing on a particular

subject” (Broukal 2010).

Such essay could be:

Argumentative

Analytical

Expository

Reflective

An ESSAY is a “short piece of writing on a particular

subject” (Broukal 2010).

Such essay could be:

Argumentative

Analytical

Expository

Reflective

What is a Reflective

Essay?

What is a Reflective Essay?

“A reflective essay is an exploration of a

topic using personal thought and experience” (Farleigh).

Reflective Essay: As a Group Objectives:

Combine reflections in an organized manner following the essay format.

Showcase the group’s:

1. thoughts about the topic

2. experience/group interaction throughout the activity

As a group, you may combine 1 and 2.

Reflective Essay: Language

Example: “We chose this topic because… However, Sandra explains that… She then realized…”

Organizing the Reflective Essay

Break it into Pieces!

Break it into Pieces!

Break it into Pieces!

Oh no… Do I have to write a Thesis

Statement?

Yes! Do not be scared; it is just a sentence.

Thesis Statement

…is a sentence which is the main idea of the essay.

1

2

Thesis Statement

…is the main idea of the essay.

Thesis Statement

…is the main idea of the essay.

--

Thesis Statement

Too vague: Scientists should understand stem cells are bad. Too broad: Scientists should understand everything about stem cell research.Too narrow: Scientists should understand stem cells research is bad because such cells are extracted from fetuses.

Strong Thesis: As a group, we believe stem cell research has both positive and negative aspects when used in the development of medicine.

Avoid these…

Thesis Statement

Concluding StatementConcluding Statement

Body Paragraphs

The Conceptual Map of a Reflective Essay

a.k.a. Graphic Organizer

As a group, we believe stem cell

research has both positive and negative aspects when used in

medicine.

Quote 2: Smith (2008)

explains…

Quote 2: Smith (2008)

explains…

Quote1: According to

Blake (2004)…

Quote1: According to

Blake (2004)…

The Conceptual Map in Groups: Essay

Topic S = Topic Sentence

Quote 2Quote 2

Quote 1Quote 1

The Conceptual Map: Body Paragraph

Supp = Supporting Sentences

The supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. They give the reader:• Reasons• Examples• Details

All supporting sentences must

be related to the topic of the

paragraph.

The Conceptual Map: Body Paragraph

Conclusion

Conclusion: Final Paragraph

Concluding statement:

1. Sums up the main points

2. Restates the main idea in a different way

—Broukal 2010

Conclusion: Final Paragraph

Examples

According to Sullivan (2001), pre-calculus provides the

background for the mathematical concepts, problems and

techniques that mathematicians confront (25). Although true, this

definition makes it sound as if the only importance of pre-calculus

is to lay a foundation for mathematics. On the other hand, Blake

(2005) explains that “math and medicine have had a long affair”

(2). Upon researching and presenting on the importance of

mathematics in medicine, half of the group agrees that pre-

calculus is essential in medical research while the rest believes

that it is only useful to mathematicians.

Sample Introduction: Math

As a group, work on a graphic organizer in which

you include:

1. One (1) clear thesis statement (complete sentence)

2. Three (3) topic sentences, one for each of the three

body paragraphs

3. One (1) concluding statement (complete sentence)

Activity

Broukal, Milada. Weaving it Together: Connecting Reading and Writing, Third Edition. Boston: Heinle, 2010.

Folse, Keith, Vestri, Elena and David Clabeaux. From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays. Boston: Heinle, 2001.

Folse, Keith, Vestri, Elena and April Muchmore-Vokoun. Great Paragraphs. Boston: Heinle, 2004.

http//: owl.english.purdue.edu

“Reflection.” Oxford English Dictionary. NY: Oxford UP, 2002.

Strausser, Jeffrey. Painless Writing. NY: Barron’s, 2001.

Strumpf, Michael. The Grammar Bible. NY: Owl Books, 2004.

Strunk, William and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. NY: Longman, 2000.

References

Questions? Comments? Barat Norte 223 (BN 223)

787-728-1515 ext. 2294

E-mail: lad@sagrado.edu

Web: http://www.sagrado.edu/lad