How to Write a Reflective Essay?

A reflective essay is a personal narrative written before applying in a college. Since, it is a personal account of a memorable experience, it should be written in first person voice. Like other essay format, a reflective essay is consisted of three main parts:

(1) Introduction: It describes the topic of your essay

(2) Body: It gives an insight look into your topic

(3) Conclusion: It summarizes your whole essay

Life Changing Experience

Writing on a life changing experience can be a good theme for your essay. It can be a tragic ordeal or a happy change that have a significant influence in your life. You can go about writing on the demise of a relative or your close friend, starting a married, a career shift, a life transforming spiritual experience etc. When writing on a life changing experience, you need to discuss your attitude before and after the event. You need to describe in particular how the event has changed your mentality and outlook towards life. If writing on a tragic experience, be sure to talk about the rehabilitation phase.

Write About your Mentor

A mentor plays an important role in a person’s life. A mentor can be your teacher, friend, favorite writer, or a religious or political personality. They lead you to the right path and motivate you to achieve your goals. A mentor can help you pursue your dreams, encourage you in tough time, or recover from a personal tragedy. Your mentor is not necessarily your teacher or friend; s/he might be a celebrity or an idol. There are many people who look up to public figure and emulate them. When discussing about your mentor, you should introduce him/her to your readers and tell them what s/he has achieved, what inspirations you draw from him/her, why you want to be like him/her and how you will accomplish your goals by following him/her.

Think About a Life-Changing Mistake

Mistake is the best opportunity to learn and grow as an individual. It gives you valuable lessons about life. When writing about a mistake that changed your life for better or worse, consider writing the circumstances that lead you to a good or bad situation, how you could have abstain from that mistake, what alternative course of actions could have been pursued. Tell the readers if the mistake affected you in a negative manner and then you may discuss how you intend to change it into a positive way.