A reflective essay examines an experience you had, analyses it using theory and evidence, and explains how it will change what you do next. At graduate level, analysis matters far more than the story.
This page explains the difference between descriptive and critical reflection, compares the most widely used reflective models, shows how to divide the word count and how to use theory, and gives an example paragraph and checklist.
What Makes a Reflective Essay Critical
Critical reflection questions your assumptions, explains what happened using theory or research, considers other perspectives and ends with specific, realistic changes to practice. Descriptive reflection only retells events and feelings.
A good rule: keep description to about a fifth of the essay and spend the rest on analysis and learning.
Descriptive Versus Critical Reflection
| Descriptive reflection | Critical reflection |
|---|---|
| Retells what happened in order | Selects the moments that matter and explains why |
| States feelings | Examines why you felt that way and how it shaped your actions |
| Judges events as good or bad | Analyses causes using theory, policy or research |
| Takes one viewpoint | Considers the perspectives of others involved |
| Ends with "I learned a lot" | Ends with specific changes and how you will check them |
Reflective Models Compared
Most programs ask you to use a named model. Choose the one your module specifies, or the one that best fits the length of your essay.
| Model | Stages | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbs' reflective cycle (1988) | Description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, action plan | Longer essays with room for detailed analysis |
| ERA cycle (Jasper, 2003) | Experience, reflection, action | Short reflections and portfolio entries |
| Rolfe et al. (2001) | What? So what? Now what? | Clear, concise structure that pushes towards action |
| Schön (1983) | Reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action | Discussing how you think during and after practice |
Gibbs gives the most structure, which helps markers find each element. ERA and Rolfe are leaner and suit tight word counts. Whichever you choose, use it to organize the essay, not as a label in the introduction.
Structure and Word Allocation
The table uses Gibbs' cycle in a 2,000-word essay. Adjust the proportions for other models.
| Section | Approximate words |
|---|---|
| Introduction: context, model and purpose | 150 |
| Description | 250 |
| Feelings | 200 |
| Evaluation | 250 |
| Analysis, with theory and evidence | 650 |
| Conclusion | 200 |
| Action plan | 300 |
Using Theory and Evidence
Theory turns a personal story into academic reflection. It explains why something happened and whether your response was appropriate.
- Link communication problems to a model such as SBAR or a theory of therapeutic communication.
- Compare your actions with guidelines, policy or professional codes.
- Use research to test whether your interpretation is supported.
- Cite sources in your required style, as in any academic essay.
Example Analysis Paragraph
On reflection, my hesitation to escalate the patient's rising early warning score reflected more than inexperience. I assumed the registrar was too busy to be interrupted, an assumption that hierarchy research in healthcare suggests is common among junior staff and contributes to delayed escalation. Using SBAR would have given my concern a structure that is harder to dismiss. Next time, I will escalate using SBAR as soon as the score crosses the trigger threshold, and I will ask my mentor to review two of my escalations in the coming month.
The paragraph identifies an assumption, connects it to evidence, names a tool and sets a specific, checkable action. In a real essay, the research claim would carry a citation.
First Person and Academic Register
Reflective essays use "I", and that is expected. Balance it with an academic register: precise vocabulary, cited evidence and measured judgment.
- Revealing assumptions: "I had assumed that...", "In hindsight, this suggests..."
- Applying theory: "This is consistent with...", "Kolb's cycle helps explain..."
- Evaluating practice: "This approach was effective because...", "A limitation was..."
- Future action: "In future I will...", "To check this, I will..."
Reflection in Professional Practice
Reflection is built into many professions. In UK nursing and midwifery, for example, NMC revalidation requires written reflective accounts linked to the Code, and similar expectations exist in teaching, social work and medicine.
Protect confidentiality in every reflective piece. Remove names and identifying details of patients, clients, colleagues and settings.
Step by Step
- Choose an experience with real learning in it, not just a dramatic one.
- Note what happened, what you thought and felt, and what others did.
- Select a model and map your notes onto its stages.
- Find two or three sources that explain the key issue.
- Draft the analysis first, then the description and action plan.
- Remove identifying details and check the word allocation.
Common Mistakes
- Spending most of the essay on description.
- Listing feelings without examining them.
- Using a model as a label rather than a structure.
- Including no theory or evidence.
- Writing vague actions such as "communicate better".
- Breaching confidentiality with names or settings.
Checklist
- The experience is described briefly and anonymized.
- A named model structures the essay.
- Assumptions and feelings are examined, not just stated.
- Theory and evidence explain the analysis, with citations.
- Other perspectives are considered.
- Actions are specific, realistic and checkable.
How IvyDrafts Helps with Reflective Essays
Send your anonymized notes on the experience, your chosen model, marking criteria and citation style. A writer in your discipline drafts a custom reflective essay that links the experience to theory and sets out a clear action plan, for you to study and adapt in your own voice.
We never invent experiences or placements. Your identity is never shared with the writer, the price is shown before you pay, and free revisions within the scope of your original request are included.
Get a Reflective Essay Written to Your Brief
Send your experience notes, chosen model and marking criteria. A writer in your discipline drafts a custom reflective essay that links your experience to theory and future practice.
Order a Custom Reflective EssayFree revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Reflective writing is written in the first person, balanced with academic language and cited evidence.
Use the model your module specifies. Gibbs suits longer essays; ERA and Rolfe suit shorter pieces and portfolios.
Usually around a fifth or less. Analysis and learning should take most of the word count.
At graduate level, yes. Theory, research and guidelines turn personal reflection into academic analysis.
Remove names and any details that could identify patients, clients, colleagues or the setting, following your professional code.
Specific, realistic actions with a way to check them, such as a timeframe or feedback from a supervisor.