Creating A Properly Structured Reflective Essay About Myself

When writing any paper, you must figure out what you are going to write about. In this case, we are doing a reflective essay about “me.” So, since you are writing about yourself you must think of what events or events truly shaped who you are. You could also focus on one specific event that is really important in your life’s timeline. Whichever you choose to do, you should brainstorm and write words or sentences that come to you.

Once you have those ideas on paper or in the cloud, you start focusing on an outline. Outlines place all important information needed to write a reflective essay in order. You will thank yourself for doing so. Now, let’s take a look at what the basic outline will look like.

OUTLINE:

  • Introduction
    • Your basic information: name, where from, etc.
    • Sub-Topic Sentence
    • Sub-Topic Sentence
    • Sub-Topic Sentence
    • Thesis
  • Body
    • This area will cover your first sub-topic sentence (paragraph 1).
    • Sub-topic sentence two will be covered in this area (paragraph 2).
    • Sub-topic sentence three information goes here (paragraph 3).
  • Conclusion/Closing
    • You will polish off and sum up the information discussed in the Body here.
    • If done correctly you will have developed your thesis and sub-topics, which were used to fully develop the thesis statement

The outline, once completed, will make your life much easier. As you type the rough draft, use the outline to develop those ideas. Most classes require rough drafts be done and submitted for part of the overall grade. Again, this is yet another stepping stone to grab hold of the final product and obtain the best grade possible. To aid in making that process easier, let’s take a more in depth look at what should be done for that wonderful passing grade. I cannot promise an “A,” but it surely is possible with this information.

FINAL-DRAFT:

  • Introduction:
  • In the introduction, you will introduce yourself. This will be the “nice to meet you, let’s talk” section for which everything grows. Tell the audience what your name is, where you come from, three or four main topics you would like to discuss, and then the thesis of you. In doing so, you will prepare the reader for what is to come next.

  • Body:
  • This is the area where you will come alive and grow. The “hellos” were completed in the introduction. So, use a paragraph for each of the main topics to build up the thesis. As you do so, the reader will/should begin to learn who you are or at least get a glimpse of you. It is dependent on words and how they are used. Basically, the clearer you write each sentence, the easier it will be for the audience to get drawn into your essay.

  • Conclusion/Closing:
  • You have done it. The meet and greet and conversation about yourself is finished. Now, all you have to do is shake hands and say the goodbyes. Your paragraphs in the body will be tied up into one or two sentences to lead into how the thesis will be concluded. Leave them with something to ponder and absorb. If done correctly, with proper grammar and punctuation, there will be nothing to think about or discuss about yourself the next time you meet.

That’s it. The work did not drain you. You didn’t have to stay up till 4 a.m. throwing everything together. The finished product will be something you can be proud of. Instead of worrying about what your grade will be when grades are released, you can sit back, relax, and prepare for the next assignment.