10.5 WRITE: Instructions for the Self-Reflection Essay

In each unit, you have completed a short self-reflection. Now it’s time to bring all of those ideas together into one essay. The good news? You have already written and re-written most of the writing! The challenge? You need to now think about how these four ideas connect in order to form a cohesive story about you, your writing, and your work in this course. Your audience is your instructor and yourself. Your goal is to prepare a final essay of at least six paragraphs by following the instructions below.

Task

Start with the revised paragraphs from the four self-reflection prompts:

• What makes a good academic research essay?
• Why do we learn to write an academic research essay?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses in writing an academic research essay in English?
• How does the use of outside sources of information affect the quality of your academic research essay?

Copy and paste each of your four revised paragraphs into one new document. Organize the four paragraphs in a logical sequence so that each paragraph builds on the previous one. Think carefully about the order of information and how to make connections between the ideas.  Add transitions for a smooth flow between sentences and paragraphs. Add an introduction, conclusion, and title. Finally, proofread carefully for grammar and mechanics.

Format

• Use 1-inch margins on all sides
• Use Times Roman 11 or 12 point font or similar
• Use double-spaced lines
• Use page numbers
• Include your full name and date in the upper left-hand of the first page
• Include a title, centered at the top of the page
• Use the TAB key on your keyboard to indent each paragraph
• Use primarily your own words. Outside sources are not required. However, if you use information from an outside source, then you must include in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Follow MLA format.
• For this assignment, you may write in first, second, or third person. You may use an informal tone and informal vocabulary.
• Use six or more paragraphs. The exact number of words, sentences or pages is not important. What is important is that your ideas are clear, compelling, and complete.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

GRADING

Each draft is worth 10 points, however each draft is graded differently. The grading rubric for the first draft awards more points for content and organization, while the grading rubric for the second draft awards more points for grammar and mechanics.

• Grading Rubric for Draft Essay – See Appendix B
• Grading Rubric for Revised Essay – See Appendix C

MODEL SELF-REFLECTION ESSAY