How to write a reflective essay
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Deniz Akcaoglu
- August 24, 2023
Reflective essays start with a description of an event, followed by an analysis of what the experience means and what can be learnt from it.
The writer of a reflective essay examines a past experience from the perspective of the present.
For this guide, I’ll show you how to write a reflective essay with a reflective essay example about Mahatma Gandhi.
Choosing a reflective essay topic
Choosing the topic of your reflective essay is an essential part. If you haven’t been given a topic and don’t know what to write about, look at the list above for ideas.
For this how-to guide, we are choosing the topic “reflection on a past significant person: Mahatma Gandhi.”
Reflective essay topic examples
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Life-changing incidents
- A day where you experienced something new
- A time of failure or success
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Impactful experiences
- A song, movie, or book that had a strong impact on you
- Something you’ve seen on social media
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Significant people from your life or past
- A relative that affected your personality
- A past significant person like Mahatma Gandhi
Outlining a reflective essay
Although a reflective essay is personal, it still must have some structure. So, as with any other essay, an essay outline will help you arrange your thoughts, so you know what subjects you want to discuss.
Let’s have a look at the outline example on Mahatma Gandhi reflection essay.
Reflective Essay Outline Example
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Introduction
- Hook and background on Mahatma Gandhi's life
- Strong thesis statement
- Body paragraph 1
- Topic sentence: Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence
- Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha
- Body paragraph 2
- Topic sentence: Gandhi's emphasis on personal responsibility
- Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's belief in personal transformation
- Body paragraph 3
- Topic sentence: Gandhi's vision of a just and peaceful world
- Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's commitment to social justice and equality
- Conclusion
- Restate thesis statement
- Summarize key points
- Final reflection on the impact of Gandhi's life and work.
Tips for the outline
- Consider the outline as a map; you prepare beforehand which points you want to explore and address in your writing.
- Since the outline actually acts as the essay’s framework, you’ll save a lot of time when it comes to writing.
- Remember that a reflective essay usually follows the traditional introduction, body, and conclusion structure.
Reflective essay introduction
Your reflective essay must begin with an introduction that includes both a hook and a thesis statement, as with all essays.
Reflective essay introduction example
Introduction
Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader who fought for India's independence from British colonial rule.
Hook sentence
He was born in 1869 in the Indian city of Porbandar, and he spent most of his life fighting for justice and peace. Gandhi is known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he used to lead India to independence in 1947.
Gandhi's life and work have inspired many people around the world, including me.
Background on Mahatma's life
His commitment to nonviolence and social justice is a powerful example of how one person can make a difference.
Thesis statement: The main argument of your reflective essay
In this essay, I will reflect on three aspects of Gandhi's life and work that have had the greatest impact on me: his commitment to nonviolence, his emphasis on personal responsibility, and his vision of a just and peaceful world.
Signposting: Inform what you'll include in your essay
Tips on writing a reflective essay introduction
- To have the best chance of keeping your reader’s attention, depict the exciting elements of your story in the first paragraph.
- The thesis statement is a concise overview of the essay’s main point, which in this case is a specific event that had a significant impact on you.
- Remember to give a brief summary of your experience; if you give too much detail away, your reader will get disinterested.
Writing body paragraphs
The next step is writing the body of your essay. This is perhaps the most challenging part; it’s all too tempting to ramble and repeat yourself, both in the plan and in the actual writing.
Let’s have a look at the paragraphs of Mahatma Gandhi reflection essay, as outlined above.
Reflective essay body paragraphs example
Body Paragraphs
First, Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence has been a powerful inspiration to me.
Topic sentence: Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence
His philosophy of satyagraha, or truth-force, was based on the belief that people could achieve their goals through nonviolent resistance. Gandhi's methods of nonviolent protest, such as strikes, boycotts, and civil disobedience, have been used by many other social and political movements around the world.
Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha
Second, Gandhi's emphasis on personal responsibility has also had a profound impact on me.
Topic sentence Gandhi's emphasis on personal responsibility
He believed that individuals have a responsibility to make positive changes in their communities and the world. For Gandhi, personal transformation was the key to social transformation. He believed that each person could make a difference through small acts of kindness and compassion.
Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's belief in personal transformation
Finally, Gandhi's vision of a just and peaceful world continues to inspire me.
Hook sentence Gandhi's vision of a just and peaceful world
He believed that true peace could only be achieved through social justice and equality. Gandhi's commitment to ending poverty, discrimination, and violence is a powerful reminder that we must all work together to create a better world.
Background: Reflection on the impact of Gandhi's commitment to social justice and equality
Reflect, reflect, and reflect!!
The body paragraphs should not only summarize the topic but also delve into the effect it has and the things you’ve observed as a result of it.Reflective essay conclusion
You better concentrate on getting your reflective essay together at the conclusion by giving a rundown of all the points made during the event and what you have gained as a result.
Reflective essay conclusion example
Conclusion
After all, Mahatma Gandhi's life and work have had a profound impact on me.
Summarize the key points
His commitment to nonviolence, personal responsibility, and a just and peaceful world are values that I try to live up to every day.
Final reflection on the impact of Gandhi's life and work.
Gandhi's life is a powerful example of how one person can make a difference in the world, and his legacy continues to inspire us to work for a better future.
Restate thesis statement
Tips for conclusion paragraph
- Try to include a few points about what kind of specific impacts this person/experience had on you.
- Consider how your personality and abilities have been influenced.
Proofreading the reflective essay
For any essay type, proofreading and editing is a crucial phase. You may use a variety of strategies to effectively edit your essay:
- Ask a friend to read your essay and have feedback. They may be able to provide some useful advice about how to improve your essay.
- Reading your essay aloud will help you determine the common mistakes in the essay more clearly.
- Leave some time from when you finish writing and when you return to edit. This provides you with some insight, allowing you to spot errors more quickly. Also, avoid plagiarism.
Do’s and don'ts of a reflective essay
- Write clearly. Your ideas must be expressed simply so that your audience understands.
- Stick to the standard format with an introduction, main body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Don’t get too personal. This is an academic paper, not a letter to a friend.
- Don't randomly create an unstructured collection of observations, perspectives, and suggestions.
Now that you know what to do and not to do in a reflective essay as well as some useful steps, you’re ready to write one by yourself.
Key takeaways
- A reflective essay is a type of essay where the writer reflects on a personal experience or event and shares insights, lessons, and emotions related to it.
- When writing a reflective essay, it's important to engage in introspection and examine your thoughts and feelings about the experience.
- Begin your essay with a clear introduction that sets the context and explains the significance of the experience you are reflecting upon.
- Use descriptive language and provide specific examples to illustrate the impact of the experience on your personal growth or understanding.
- End your essay with a thoughtful conclusion that summarizes your main insights and highlights the lessons learned or changes undergone as a result of the experience.
