A reflective statement is an academic style of writer in which the writer focuses on a past event and what they’ve learned from it. This event is typically but not necessarily related to their academic studies. Similar types of statements are often used in the business world as well. It’s important to know how to write a reflective statement for academic and professional success.
Types of Reflective Statements
Description
The description is the most basic type of reflective statement. The writer will have a duty to recall the details regarding a certain activity/event and include factors such as what they felt before/during, and after the said activity/event, and their preparation before the event. This exercise helps the writer to determine what they could have done differently to predict the results of their choices and compare the reality of what-ifs.
This exercise helps the writer to become more adept in making great decisions should such situations arise again. Through this exercise, the writer can exhibit their maturity in handling such situations.
Analysis
This type of reflective statement usually requires the writer to go deep compared to the description type. It requires more thought and effort in doing so. Like the description reflective statement, the writer has to recall a past event/activity; however, analysis required a critical assessment of how the past activities/event helped shape their present and the benefits it has given the writer.
Other than that, an analysis can also be done by interpreting the most substantial factors that led to certain experiences. For instance, a new employee may write a reflective statement on the difficulty of the task they have been tasked to handle and have a hard time adjusting to the environment and his colleagues. They may use this type of reflective statement to properly determine the attitude, mindsets, and mannerisms to undertake tasks and establish stronger relationships with their colleagues.
Synthesis/Judgement
This reflective statement is based on reflecting on what a particular experience taught an individual and what the event meant to them. This means analyzing the specific event itself, its outcomes, and the different effects it brought to them. Other than focusing on the literal and/or the physical implications of the decision made on the activity/event, the writer has to properly explain how the choice they made affected other aspects of their life. It is also an assessment of the improvements brought about by the event or the decisions they made.
Goal Setting
This type of reflective statement is, in a way, connected to the judgment approach, as the writer explains the improvements, they noticed within themselves and makes goals afterward. However, the writer in this reflective statement must only set relevant and attainable goals to reflect on their growth properly. Setting up goals that are almost impossible to attain is simply setting the writer up for failure. In this approach, it is recommended that they include long-term goals and short ones to have a vast and well-rounded reflective statement.
Why write a reflective statement?
There are many different reasons one might use reflective statements. They are often assigned in courses at the end of an intensive project to help students process and sum up what they’ve learned throughout the assignment. An entrepreneur or other professional might write a reflective statement after they’ve completed a challenging development as well, to sum up, their progress to a boss or investor. There are a few different ways to approach writing a reflective statement. The first is a descriptive or analytical reflective statement, which focuses on the details of what happened throughout the event and analyzes it from a logical perspective. Reflective statements can also come from a much more personal perspective. This type of reflective statements would assess how the writer felt and perceived the event, its greater meaning, and how that might affect their personal goal setting in the future.
Free Samples & Examples
Tips for a successful reflective statement
Although a reflective statements can be very personal, it is crucial that it is free from bias overall. This is one of the most difficult parts of writing a good reflective statement. It should also be very clear and articulate, with a defined introduction and conclusion. The focus event of the paper should be described in a way that the reader can easily understand it and put themselves in the writer’s place. If the statement is successful, it will provide thoughtful and detailed insights on the entire process that will make the reader think deeply and critically.
You can find our free examples of reflective statements on our website. These examples are a perfect guide to help you create your own reflective statement for academia or business use.
