Reflection as a psychological concept (i.e. thinking of yourself) and reflection you see in the mirror derive from the same Latin word not because of a mere coincidence. Thinking of yourself is like looking into the mirror and this is the main point to bear in mind when writing a reflexive essay. A mirror reflection cannot be bad. It cannot be good as well – it is just a reflection.
 
So, when writing a reflexive essay, you do not have to express opinions or evaluate your actions. Consider yourself a mere spectator looking through a thin barrier of glass.
 
Reflexive essays: problems and solutions
 
A common problem of students who are to write a reflexive essay is that they try to choose a positive event from their life. Then they try to find some strong ideas and nothing comes out of it. They rush to the Internet and type into the search field: “How to write a reflexive essay.”
 
The problem is that the very essence of some negative experience is much stronger. Unpleasant events can really sting to the quick. We learn from them, they shape our individuality. But who wants to recollect the most disastrous events of his/her life? If our professors would want us to do this, it would be real sadism.
The trick of writing effective reflexive essays boils down to choosing a negative experience from times long past. Perhaps you remember something that is not that strong to touch your sore spot. This would be an ideal event for your reflexive essay.

• Describe the event. Do not forget the rule of “4W’s”: your depiction should answer the 4 questions What? Where? When? Why?
• Share your feelings. This section of reflexive essays can be very similar to another type of papers: descriptive essays.
• Do not forget to describe both sides of the coin in your reflexive essay: both good and bad aspects of the event in question.
• One of the strongest parts of reflexive essays is the experience itself. This is why writing about some negative experience is not only a resourceful but also an effective trick.

If you are interested in reflexive essay writing, read our articles about an essay on fear and essay “About myself”.