how to write a reflective assignment

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A Complete Guide to Writing Reflective Assignments

• A Complete Guide to Writing…

As we begin 2021, many students have requested guidance on writing reflections for assignments . Unless someone explains the process, it can be challenging to know how to approach reflective writing. This comprehensive guide will help you understand how to structure and write effective reflections for your academic assignments.

Understanding the Basic Structure

Think of a reflection as you would any other assignment. It requires a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. The key to organizing your thoughts is using a reflective cycle. While there are several cycles available, including Driscoll’s model , the Gibbs reflective cycle is particularly useful due to its straightforward approach and extensive research backing.

Your reflection should follow this basic structure:

• Introduction: Describe what happened
• Main body: Explain the relevance and analysis
• Conclusion: Discuss future practice improvements

Writing the Introduction

The beginning of your reflection should focus on describing the situation you’re reflecting upon. For instance, one valuable reflection might come from experiencing a challenging shift with staff shortages. In this scenario, you would describe the situation: two nurses managing 29 patients on a ward. Despite being a difficult circumstance, particularly as a student nurse, such experiences can provide excellent learning opportunities.

Developing the Main Body

The main body of your reflection is where you demonstrate the relevance of your experience. This section should:

• Reference the NMC code of conduct
• Cite relevant NICE guidelines
• Include trust policies and procedures
• What went well?
• What could have been improved?
• How did various factors impact the situation?

Crafting the Conclusion

Your conclusion should focus on future practice. Explain:

• How you’ll implement what you’ve learned
• Specific steps for improvement
• How these changes will make you a better healthcare professional

Important Considerations for Referencing

While reflections are based on personal experiences, proper referencing is crucial. You can reference:

• Government policies
• NHS England guidelines
• Public Health England documents
• NICE guidelines
• Hospital trust policies
• Nursing journals and articles

Professional resources like the Nursing Times , Elsevier website, nurses.co.uk, and RCN student network provide valuable reference materials. These sources can help validate your experiences and show that others have faced similar situations.

Maintaining Confidentiality

Confidentiality is paramount in reflective writing. Never mention:

• The specific trust name
• Ward names or numbers
• Staff members’ names
• Any identifying patient information

You can mention general details, such as “an orthopedic ward,” but avoid specifics that could breach confidentiality.

Writing Style and Perspective

When writing reflections, you can typically use first person (“I”) in the introduction and conclusion sections, as you’re discussing personal experiences. However, the main body should shift to third person when discussing professional standards and evidence. Always verify your university’s specific guidelines regarding writing style.

Achieving Higher Marks

To excel in your reflective assignment:

• Don’t just describe events
• Explain why things are important
• Examine your feelings and their causes
• Keep asking “why?” to uncover deeper insights
• Show both positive and negative aspects
• Evaluate the impact of decisions
• Consider alternative approaches
• Aim for a reference every 50 words
• Include research papers and academic journals
• Support bold statements with evidence
• Demonstrate wider reading

Assessment Preparation

When writing your reflection, keep your assignment brief and marking criteria visible. Target the highest grade possible by ensuring you meet all criteria. Remember that markers will evaluate your work based solely on:

• The assignment brief
• Marking criteria
• Your submitted work

Understanding critical analysis is crucial but often overthought. Think of it as weighing pros and cons, similar to comparing products before making a purchase. You’re simply evaluating different aspects of a situation or decision from an objective standpoint.

Remember, reflection is a valuable tool for professional development. By following these guidelines and maintaining a structured approach, you can create meaningful reflections that demonstrate your growth and understanding in your healthcare journey.

If you want to get help how to write a reflective assignment reach out to MEDLRN , we can help you.

Author:  Faheem Ahmed

Pharmacist Prescriber, 2x Award-Winning Pharmacist, Pharmacy and Clinic Owner, Founder of MEDLRN and loves sharing his experience with pharmacists.

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