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The Reflective Essay Created by: Prof. I. Cortés
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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: [email protected]
Web: http://www.sagrado.edu/lad