Reflection Paper Format
Even though the format of a reflection paper is not as strict as some of the
other written assignments you’ve already encountered, there are still some
major points you need to cover and fragments you need to include into your
work. Here is what your reflection paper should consist of:
NAME:
SUBJECT:
PROFESSOR:
DATE:
TITLE:
Summary. This part should take between 2 and 3 paragraphs. In the
summary you are expected to summarize the material you’re reflecting on,
but without doing a simple retelling of the text. It’s allowed to use quotes in
this segment, but the quotes should be properly formatted and referenced.
Critique. Dedicate this part of your reflection paper to presenting a short
critical analysis of the work you’re basing your work on. Doing a critical
analysis doesn’t just mean listing all the negative things you have to say
about the piece. Instead, you should determine whether the author was
successful in making their point seen and whether anything can be changed
for the better in the work.
Meaning. The central part of this section of your reflection paper is the
theme of the work. Choose a fragment of the piece or the whole work and
analyze the theme that can be seen throughout the narrative, using
examples to further prove your point.
Reaction. This may be the most personal part of the reflection paper, as here
you are expected to offer your own thoughts on the work. Did you enjoy
reading it? How did you feel about the different aspects of the world? Are you
overall happy that you’ve read it or do you wish to have worked with another
piece? Provide detailed explanations for each of your points.
Application. Another highly personal part of the paper is the application,
where you need to address the ways the work you’re reflecting on can relate
to your personal experience.
The two most common formatting styles used for reflection papers are MLA
and APA, and for this paper you may follow APA guidelines for the format.
APA
12pt Times New Roman font;
Double-spaced;
1-inch margins;
Page header with a page number in the top right corner of every
page;
The essay should have four parts: Title, Abstract, Main Page, and
References.
You can also add an outline to make your paper look more refined.
SOURCE: Paper Times
