Reflective Writing Assignment Walkthrough

STEP 1

Consider the class context

Before writing your prompt, it’s important to think about a few things that can help the assignment be as effective as possible. Some things to consider might be:

Will you be able to offer individualized feedback?
How familiar are your students with writing and reflection?
Where/when will students be doing this assignment?
How much weight does the assignment hold?
How will the assignment be administered?

For Students

STEP 2

Define the Purpose

For students to see reflective writing as more than busy work, the assignment must have a clear purpose and outcome related to course objectives or the real world. Questions like those below can narrow the focus and keep it intentional:

What are they reflecting on? Course material, personal experiences, learning strategies, and professional development are a few options.
Is it a stand-alone assignment or in response to other work?
What do you hope students will learn by doing this assignment?
How does this reflective writing connect to course objectives or real-world scenarios?

STEP 3

Provide Structure and Support

Strong scaffolding ensures students find success and benefit from reflective writing. When creating and implementing the assignment, be sure to:

Select a reflective framework you’d like students to follow.
Provide clear instructions and multiple effective examples.
Offer specific prompts and guiding questions.

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STEP 4

Assess

Grading reflective writing can feel difficult. To assess reflections thoughtfully and critically, consider these tips:

Use a rubric that emphasizes meaningful insights, engagement, and connections rather than grammar and structure.
Consider low-stakes grading or a completion rubric to encourage honesty of thought.
Provide feedback that strengthens personal growth and metacognitive thinking.

Learn To Assess

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BYU Humanities

Reflective Writing