By Keith Barker-Jones
What is reflection?
Bolton (2006) believes the term ‘reflective
practice’ to be unhelpful. She cites a ‘mirror
reflection’ as being merely an image reproduced
back-to-front.
In contrast, the term becomes useful if one
considers that reflection also encapsulates ‘careful
or long consideration’ (Collins Compact Dictionary,
2002).
What is reflective writing?
By putting experiences and thoughts onto paper,
the reflective writer is using a means of placing
ideas and feelings into a ‘melting pot’ (Moon 2008)
Moon (2008) also implies that these ideas, feelings and
experiences can be expressed at varying levels from:
 A superficial, glancing text that is largely descriptive,
to;
 A deeper, more profound evaluation that searches for
reasoned solutions to problems
The purpose of reflective writing
Reflective writing provides a means of clarifying
an issue
For example:
In respect of an idea or concept in a lecture that
is poorly understood….
A metaphor for reflection
Moon (2008) articulates the term ‘cognitive
housekeeping’ as a metaphor for reflection
The reflective process can order thought
processes and, in effect, prime them for a
solution
Context for reflective writing
This resource will present reflective writing in
context of a higher education programme.
The vehicle for reflective writing in this context
is the reflective journal
Writing a reflective journal
 What is a reflective journal?
 What is the purpose in keeping a reflective
journal?
 How is a reflective journal written and
presented?
What is a reflective journal?
A journal is a ‘string’ of unrelated (or related) entries
The subject matter for each reflection could be, for example:
 Providing a solution to a problem (e.g. with an aspect of






learning)
How you faired in writing an assignment
Your response to the feedback of an assignment
How you can alter or improve attitude, behaviour or skills
How you can extend learning and develop skills
Your experiences or feelings of an event
How you are embedding learnt skills in a work-based
learning milieu
What is the purpose in keeping a
journal?
A journal can be used to:
 Record key events and experiences
 Clarify or provide solutions to problematical issues
 Provide a platform to extend knowledge and skills
 A forum for experimenting and developing written
expression and cognition
 Increase self-awareness and evaluate personal and
professional growth
 Collate ideas or material that could be used in an
assignment
How is a reflective journal written?
Each entry of the journal will have its own
agenda and requirements.
This, in turn, will accommodate a variety of
written styles along a continuum from basic
description to the more profound evaluation
(Moon, 2008).
How is a reflective journal written?
Hence, the journal can be written along a continuum
that comprises:
Descriptive aspects
Reflective aspects
Critically reflective aspects
Analytical and evaluative aspects
(Adapted from Hatton and Smith 1995)
References
Bolton, G. (2006) Reflective practice: writing &
professional development. 2nd Ed. London. Sage
Publications
Collins. (2002) Compact Dictionary, 21st Century
Edition. 5th Ed. HarperCollins.
Hatton and Smith (1995) Reflection in teacher
education: towards definition and implementation,
teaching and teacher education 11(1): 33-49. Cited in:
Moon, J. (2006) Learning journals: A handbook for
reflective practice and professional development. 2nd Ed.
London. Routledge
References
Moon, J. (2008) Reflective writing – some initial
guidance for students. [Online] Available at:
http://services.exeter.ac.uk/cas/employability/students/
reflective.htm Accessed 16.12.08
Thompson, S. and Thompson, N. (2008) The critically
reflective practitioner. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Moon, J. (2006) Learning journals: A handbook for
reflective practice and professional development. 2nd Ed.
London. Routledge