As we begin 2021, many students have requested guidance on writing reflections for assignments. Unless someone explains the process, it can be challenging to know how to approach reflective writing. This comprehensive guide will help you understand how to structure and write effective reflections for your academic assignments.
Understanding the Basic Structure
Think of a reflection as you would any other assignment. It requires a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. The key to organizing your thoughts is using a reflective cycle. While there are several cycles available, including Driscoll’s model, the Gibbs reflective cycle is particularly useful due to its straightforward approach and extensive research backing.
Your reflection should follow this basic structure:
- Introduction: Describe what happened
- Main body: Explain the relevance and analysis
- Conclusion: Discuss future practice improvements
Writing the Introduction
The beginning of your reflection should focus on describing the situation you’re reflecting upon. For instance, one valuable reflection might come from experiencing a challenging shift with staff shortages. In this scenario, you would describe the situation: two nurses managing 29 patients on a ward. Despite being a difficult circumstance, particularly as a student nurse, such experiences can provide excellent learning opportunities.
Developing the Main Body
The main body of your reflection is where you demonstrate the relevance of your experience. This section should:
- Connect your experience to professional standards
- Reference the NMC code of conduct
- Cite relevant NICE guidelines
- Include trust policies and procedures
- Analyze both positive and negative aspects
- What went well?
- What could have been improved?
- How did various factors impact the situation?
Crafting the Conclusion
Your conclusion should focus on future practice. Explain:
- How you’ll implement what you’ve learned
- Specific steps for improvement
- How these changes will make you a better healthcare professional
Important Considerations for Referencing
While reflections are based on personal experiences, proper referencing is crucial. You can reference:
- NMC code
- Government policies
- NHS England guidelines
- Public Health England documents
- NICE guidelines
- Hospital trust policies
- Nursing journals and articles
Professional resources like the Nursing Times, Elsevier website, nurses.co.uk, and RCN student network provide valuable reference materials. These sources can help validate your experiences and show that others have faced similar situations.
Maintaining Confidentiality
Confidentiality is paramount in reflective writing. Never mention:
- The specific trust name
- Ward names or numbers
- Staff members’ names
- Any identifying patient information
You can mention general details, such as “an orthopedic ward,” but avoid specifics that could breach confidentiality.
Writing Style and Perspective
When writing reflections, you can typically use first person (“I”) in the introduction and conclusion sections, as you’re discussing personal experiences. However, the main body should shift to third person when discussing professional standards and evidence. Always verify your university’s specific guidelines regarding writing style.
Achieving Higher Marks
To excel in your reflective assignment:
- Demonstrate depth of analysis
- Don’t just describe events
- Explain why things are important
- Examine your feelings and their causes
- Keep asking “why?” to uncover deeper insights
- Include critical analysis in every paragraph
- Show both positive and negative aspects
- Evaluate the impact of decisions
- Consider alternative approaches
- Use quality references
- Aim for a reference every 50 words
- Include research papers and academic journals
- Support bold statements with evidence
- Demonstrate wider reading
Assessment Preparation
When writing your reflection, keep your assignment brief and marking criteria visible. Target the highest grade possible by ensuring you meet all criteria. Remember that markers will evaluate your work based solely on:
- The assignment brief
- Marking criteria
- Your submitted work
Understanding critical analysis is crucial but often overthought. Think of it as weighing pros and cons, similar to comparing products before making a purchase. You’re simply evaluating different aspects of a situation or decision from an objective standpoint.
Remember, reflection is a valuable tool for professional development. By following these guidelines and maintaining a structured approach, you can create meaningful reflections that demonstrate your growth and understanding in your healthcare journey.
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