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Organization

The organization of a reflective essay is typically determined by the nature of the subject.

  • Most stories are arranged chronologically to follow the sequence of events.
  • Reflections on a place or an object might be arranged spatially.
  • Reflections that consider similarities and differences may be ordered by points of comparison and contrast.
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Introduction

Your introduction will work with your conclusion to provide the framework within which your readers will understand and interpret your reflections.

  • Consider waiting until you've finished the rest of the essay before writing your introduction.
  • Open with a surprising statement or an anecdote that sets the stage for your main idea.
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Conclusion

Your conclusion will work with your introduction to provide the framework within which your readers will understand and interpret your reflections.

  • Consider waiting until you've finished the rest of the essay before writing your conclusion.
  • Close by circling back to a detail from the beginning or reiterating the significance of your reflections.