EXPRESSIVE WRITING AND REFLECTIVE WRITING
Expressive Writing: First, and foremost, expressive writing is personal writing. The writer shares
thoughts, ideas, feelings, and questions about his or her experiences. Usually written in firstperson point point view, it exhibits the author’s voice. The author tells the reader how he or she
feels.
Reflective Writing: Though also personal, reflective writing often moves beyond recounting on
experience and into an exploration of how that particular experience has shaped the writer. The
goal of reflective writing is not to share final thoughts on a topic; on the contrary, it is a vehicle for
exploring and discovering new thoughts. In reflective writing, the author often looks at the past as
a means for looking at the future.
INFORM AND EXPLAIN
There are many times when you may need this type of writing. Some examples may be:
1. You may have to write a letter to a credit card company explaining an error you see on your
statement.
2. You may be sitting on a job interview committee and asked to “Explain why this company
should hire you.”
3. You may have to write a letter to your landlord explaining why you will need to terminate
your lease early.
Possible topic starters:
How to…
I witnessed…
How does…. work?
The history of ________ is…
The perfect ___________ is…
EVALUATE AND JUDGE
Which ___________ is best and why?
Which ___________ is my favorite and why?
Which ___________ should you purchase and why?
INQUIRE AND EXPLORE
Pose a question that you want to explore further.
Why might this be?
i.e.
- new laws eliminating cell phone usage while driving
- fewer cards being purchased
- higher gas prices
- influence of M.A.D.D.
I’d like to know more about?
- How do tsunami warning systems work?
- Why are electric cars not mainstream?
ANALYZE AND INTERPRET
This form of writing asks you to delve deeper into your topic. You may be looking at a chart or a
graph and reading between the lines. Move beyond the shallow interpretation of your reading.
Sample topics:
Who is to blame for childhood obesity?
How would you sum up a book in one word and why?
Who is to blame for the economic crisis?
Who is to blame for the lack of school spirit at the school?
Imagine if ___________ was ____________.
Imagine if ________________ needed an ideal roommate. Who would he or she choose?
Use a quote and apply it to the topic
What is the connection….
What is the connection between the amount of exercise in your life and the amount of stress in
your life?
What will happen when…
What would have happened if…
Interpreting song lyrics
TAKE A STAND AND PROPOSE A SOLUTION
Would you rather…
Examine both sides of an issue.
Ways to solve an issue.
- five things you can do to promote world peace
- five things you can do to get healthy and stay healthy
- five ways to be more green
Rank problems
- 1) global warming 2) conflict in the middle east 3) unemployment in the United States