what is characteristic of reflective writing?

what is characteristic of reflective writing?

The Importance of Reflective Writing

1. Introduction

Let us first begin with the question, “What is reflective writing?” As there are numerous reflecting models, it is very important that you choose the one that best suits the way you work and helps you organize your thoughts. While reflecting is the process of considering an experience in order to learn from it, learning can be described as the process of gaining understanding or altering behavior (Torraca, 2001). Combining the two together, reflective learning is the desired outcome. It can be performed almost at any time during the working or learning process, though given it is an evaluative process, we should pause at regular intervals to ensure we are on the right track. There are various methods one can use to reflect, some of the easy and most commonly used ways to reflect include Gibbs (1998) reflective cycle, Schon (1983, 1987) theory of reflection and Johns (2000) model for structured reflection. With any reflecting model, an important question to ask is “What did I learn?” and “How can I use this learning in the future?” (Torraco, 2001). These questions ensure we are constantly learning and not repeating the same error in the future.

2. Characteristics of Reflective Writing

Recent research tends to view reflection as a metacognitive activity, which is an awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes. This being the case, learners need to have a certain level of maturity and knowledge to engage in reflection, and reflection needs to be directed at specific learning goals. With this in mind, reflective writing can be an informal self-directed learning tool, a means of identifying a particular path of learning or an aid to more formal assessment tasks.

Smith and Tillema (1998) identify a number of key features in a definition of reflective writing. They state it is often linked to a requirement for the learner to consider how their own learning can be applied to real life situations, achievement of specific learning tasks, or to specific future goals. It is part of integrated assessment; typically linked to a portfolio, to written/oral responses specific learning tasks, or to the use of learning diaries.

Reflective writing is a piece of insightful, personal, critical text where the writer reflects on the meaning and impact of an event and provides context of a decision or return of event. The writer analyses and explains what they have learned, how they have changed their thinking or their behaviour, what was the result, and why, with emphasis on something from the event that was relevant to the writer.

3. Benefits of Reflective Writing

Reflective writing is a key strategy in academic writing. It allows writers to vent emotions, validate and understand experiences, and put together a deeper insightful understanding of the personal meaning and its impact. In turn, this can lead to changes in thinking and behavior. Throughout Hounsell’s research (1997), there were found to be several common reasons for reflective writing, including: to become less puzzled, to grasp the nature and meaning of an experience, to make decisions and to consider whether there is a better alternative, and to learn from their experiences and mistakes. Hounsell goes on to say that reflective writing helps to establish a range of ideas through an analysis of past experiences and the understanding that there is no right or wrong answer, allowing the writer to find a scenario in which they can clarify a problem at the same time as work out a new idea, in turn creating a possible solution. He further explains how it can benefit essay writing as it encourages the formation and reformation of possible ideas rather than just ‘a single line of thought’. In summarization, reflective writing can be used as an aid to thinking and creating through directed thought and active engagement.

4. Tips for Effective Reflective Writing

Concentrate on a specific event or situation. Keep in mind that reflective writing has a descriptive component and so must have a wide range of adjectives. This often involves providing direct information about the event at which the reflection was initiated – giving the reader an insight into your experience. Another technique is to use a ‘trigger phrase’. This can be a quote which you feel perfectly summarizes the event you are reflecting on (see step 5) or a theory that you are discussing. A ‘trigger phrase’ is great for the reader as it gives them something to focus on which is a direct link to the topic of your reflection. A mention of the theory and what it involves. A reflection is creating of an image which judges the act or process in which an experience which can be compared with theoretical concepts. This is a simple process which can take place in literal terms or be more complex where the image is not clearly defined. This is the meaning of the Latin word, ‘reflectum’. Any mention of the theory should be in past tense.

5. Conclusion

This has also been important in identifying certain values that have been embedded during my life and has touched on Mezirow’s theory that a disorientating dilemma is often the first step in the process of reflective transformation. By completing assignment two, I was able to critically reflect on an event in which my values were transgressed and realized the importance of reflecting on this experience as soon as possible so that the feelings are still strong and as to prevent future re-occurrences.

This essay has also attempted to show the influence that my previous experiences have had on my writing process and the way in which I can move beyond simply deciding whether these experiences were good or bad through learning to identify and challenge the assumptions that I have made. Through assignment one, I have been able to identify two contradictory assumptions that I have held towards writing and have seen how challenging these assumptions has affected the quality of my work. By writing a critical rationale for these changes to my preconceived ideas, I was able to identify situations where Gibbs’ (1988) cycle could be utilized to ensure that I did not fall into the same trap of only identifying the end result of an experienced and not the learning that had occurred.

In conclusion, this essay has discussed the importance of reflective writing and the ways it has been valuable in improving my writing skills. Using Bloom’s taxonomy, the essay has shown how I have moved from simple knowledge and understanding through to higher order thinking as a result of critically reflecting on my learning. This has been further reinforced through Brookfield’s theory on developing an autobiographical sense of confidence, and recognition of the importance of my assumptions and understanding how these will affect my actions.