How often does it happen that we have the opportunity to write an essay assignment that demands experiences and viewpoints narrated from a personal perspective. When writing a research paper, or a master’s dissertation, we are expected to establish a hypothesis and prove it with research and observation, where very little room is left for personal opinions and reflections. Writing a reflective essay is a creative exercise that offers students to recollect and reflect on their experiences, at the same time backing up their arguments and opinions with evidences.

A unique and skillful combination and personal and universal experiences and arguments make reflective essay writing a challenging experience. To write a good essay you must know when and where personal opinions should be counter pointed by evidence, which in turn makes your writing convincing.

Essential points to keep note of when writing a Reflective essay

Write from your perspective: Reflective essays are written at the completion of a milestone. It could be an academic course, a training program or a life time achievement. Such essays are personal in note and express an individual’s journey, achievements, setbacks when undergoing that phase. The writing style, also, therefore should be personal where narration of events takes place from the author’s perspective. Unlike a narrative essay which depicts realism and naturalism, a reflective essay is psychological and perceptional.

Back Your opinions with evidence: Personal writing can only become universal when it can be identified with. When writing a reflective essay, avoid making wobbly and biased opinions which cannot be supported with a fact. If you think there were factors that did not let you achieve certain things that you were meant to, mention what were they and what makes you come to the conclusion. The skill is to convince the reader round to your view, no matter how personal they are.

Write from Experience: It is essential to write from your own experience. This will make your writing original and convincing. Avoid making general and stereotypical conclusions and suggestions. A reflective essay must be written from your own reflection of an event, not of any one else’s. When concluding your essay with suggestions regarding a course or training program, write your sincere opinions and the reason behind them.

Construct your own essay structure: There are no hard and fast rules in constructing an essay structure when writing essays based on personal experiences. Give a new format to your essay and make it interesting. You may introduce your subject with a personal opinion or a concluding statement, elaborating on the events and features late on. For example: If you are writing a reflective essay on the training program you were a part of, you may begin stating your reluctance at the beginning and the turn of events that altered your perception towards it.

Keep yourself detached: Most forms of personal writing run on the edge of becoming over personal and biased. It is thus essential to keep yourself detached as a writer. Avoid making any references that are illogically biased, critical and personal.