1. EQ: What are the elements of a reflective essay?
Reflective Essays
EQ: What are the elements of a reflective essay?

2. The Basic Steps
Focus on a clearly defined and well developed incident . The incident may consist of a series of closely related incidents.
Provide background information.
Include the elements of a narrative: plot, characters, setting, conflict.
Organize events clearly. Chronological order works best. Skilled writers may want to incorporate flashbacks.
Use dialogue, if appropriate.
Include appropriate diction.
Explain the significance of the incident.
Maintain a consistent point of view. It is acceptable in reflective writing to use first person.

3. Choosing the incident
It can be something you experienced personally or something you witnessed but did not participate in.
Once you have chosen an incident, do the following:
Test the topic. Make sure you remember the incident well enough to write about it, understand the significance of it, your willingness to share it, and your ability to express the incident's impact.
Consider your audience and purpose. Tailor the subject matter and the writing level to those who are most likely to read it.
List key events. This will help you establish a foundation for the narrative. Don't get hung up on facts. In most cases, inventing or changing characters, words, or setting is acceptable.

4. Drafting and Revising Remember the following as you draft:
Use the elements of a story and include necessary background information.
Include dialogue.
Use sensory details.
When revising make sure the following is clear:
The significance of the event
What actually happened

5. Practice
Write half-a-page about some good advice you received from a person you trust that you could pass on to someone else.