What is a Reflection Paper?
Reflection papers are written expressions of how a specific article or set of articles has shaped
your understanding of a given topic. The reflection papers are required to tie together all the
assigned readings, exploring how to complement or refute each other.
They should take the form of a brief critical essay. Quality over quantity counts! However, at
the graduate level you are expected to properly cite your in-text sources as well as provide a
proper cited sources list at the end of each assignment. Points will be deducted for improper
citation format and grammar errors. Be sure to proofread your work before your final
submission.
You can explore many styles of writing reflection papers, especially depending on the topic of
the week, but you can organize your views around explaining questions, such as:
• What is the overarching theme that ties the readings together?
• What is their significance to the discipline of strategic communication?
• How reading the assigned works have shaped your views?
• Why are these articles important, and how they contribute your understanding of the
issue?
Present the most critical issues from the readings, such as:
• What contrasting positions can be taken?
• What do you think about the core argument of the paper?
• How do you support your idea? Etc.
Reflection Paper format when submitting your assignments:
• Follow the APA style formatting
• Double spaced
• Properly cite your in-text sources and provide a works cited page, if you use someone
else’s thoughts, ideas or words!
Reflection papers are written expressions of how a specific article or set of articles has shaped
your understanding of a given topic. The reflection papers are required to tie together all the
assigned readings, exploring how to complement or refute each other.
They should take the form of a brief critical essay. Quality over quantity counts! However, at
the graduate level you are expected to properly cite your in-text sources as well as provide a
proper cited sources list at the end of each assignment. Points will be deducted for improper
citation format and grammar errors. Be sure to proofread your work before your final
submission.
You can explore many styles of writing reflection papers, especially depending on the topic of
the week, but you can organize your views around explaining questions, such as:
• What is the overarching theme that ties the readings together?
• What is their significance to the discipline of strategic communication?
• How reading the assigned works have shaped your views?
• Why are these articles important, and how they contribute your understanding of the
issue?
Present the most critical issues from the readings, such as:
• What contrasting positions can be taken?
• What do you think about the core argument of the paper?
• How do you support your idea? Etc.
Reflection Paper format when submitting your assignments:
• Follow the APA style formatting
• Double spaced
• Properly cite your in-text sources and provide a works cited page, if you use someone
else’s thoughts, ideas or words!
