Reflection 2

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What is a Reflection Paper?

Reflection papers are written expressions of how a specific article or set of articles has shaped
your understanding of a given topic. The reflection papers are required to tie together all the
assigned readings, exploring how to complement or refute each other.
They should take the form of a brief critical essay. Quality over quantity counts! However, at
the graduate level you are expected to properly cite your in-text sources as well as provide a
proper cited sources list at the end of each assignment. Points will be deducted for improper
citation format and grammar errors. Be sure to proofread your work before your final
submission.
You can explore many styles of writing reflection papers, especially depending on the topic of
the week, but you can organize your views around explaining questions, such as:

• What is the overarching theme that ties the readings together?
• What is their significance to the discipline of strategic communication?
• How reading the assigned works have shaped your views?
• Why are these articles important, and how they contribute your understanding of the
issue?

Present the most critical issues from the readings, such as:

• What contrasting positions can be taken?
• What do you think about the core argument of the paper?
• How do you support your idea? Etc.

 

Reflection Paper format when submitting your assignments:

• Follow the APA style formatting
• Double spaced
• Properly cite your in-text sources and provide a works cited page, if you use someone
else’s thoughts, ideas or words!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first section of the outline is the introduction, which identifies the subject and gives an

overview of your reaction to it. The introduction paragraph ends with your thesis statement,

which identifies whether your expectations were met and what you learned. The thesis

statement serves as the focal point of your paper. It also provides a transition to the body of the

paper and will be revisited in your conclusion.

 

The body of your paper identifies the three (or more, depending on the length of your paper)

major points that support your thesis statement. Each paragraph in the body should start with a

topic sentence. The rest of each paragraph supports your topic sentence. Keep in mind that a

transition sentence at the end of each paragraph creates a paper that flows logically and is easy

to read. When creating the outline, identify the topic sentence for each paragraph, and add the

supporting statements, evidence, and your own experiences or reactions to the subject

underneath.

 

The conclusion wraps up your essay, serving as the other bookend in stating and proving your

thesis statement. In outlining the conclusion, identify the thesis statement and add the main

points from the body paragraphs as a recap. Don’t add new information to the conclusion and

be sure to identify the closing statement of your reflection paper.

 

  1. Introduction
  2. Identify and explain subject
  3. State your reaction to the subject
  4. Agree/disagree?
  5. Did you change your mind?
  6. Did the subject meet your expectations?
  7. What did you learn?
  8. Thesis Statement

 

  1. Body Paragraph 1
  2. Topic Sentence
  3. Supporting evidence 1
  4. Supporting evidence 2
  5. Supporting evidence 3

 

III. Body Paragraph 2

  1. Topic Sentence
  2. Supporting evidence 1
  3. Supporting evidence 2
  4. Supporting evidence 3

 

  1. Body Paragraph 3
  2. Topic Sentence
  3. Supporting evidence 1
  4. Supporting evidence 2
  5. Supporting evidence 3

 

  1. Conclusion

 

  1. Recap thesis statement
  2. Recap Paragraph 1
  3. Recap Paragraph 2
  4. Recap Paragraph 3
  5. Conclusion statement