Question

What is a Critical Reflection Paper?

A Critical Reflection (also called a reflective essay) is a process of identifying, questioning, and assessing our deeply-held assumptions – about our knowledge, the way we perceive events and issues, our beliefs, feelings, and actions. When you reflect critically, you use course material (lessons, readings, discussions, etc.) to examine our biases, compare theories with current actions, search for causes and triggers, and identify problems at their core.

Critical reflection is not a reading assignment, a summary of an activity, a copy and paste activity, or an emotional outlet.

The goal is to change your thinking about a subject, and maybe even change your behaviour.

You are being asked to critically reflect on three self-assessments that were assigned to you in weeks:

What is Your Big Five Personality? (Self-Assessment)

Answer 1

A Critical Reflection Paper involves metacognition where you reflect on your thinking processes, assess biases, and analyze how course content affects you. It comprises recalling events, engaging in deep reflection, and deriving insights for personal and academic growth. The aim is to foster self-awareness, improve writing, and encourage behavior change.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding a Critical Reflection Paper

A Critical Reflection Paper is a form of academic writing that requires you to engage in metacognition, that is, thinking about your own thinking processes. It encourages you to critically assess your cognitive tendencies and biases, often sparked by your interactions with course content such as readings, discussions, and personal experiences. In essence, it goes beyond mere summarization and demands a deeper level of analysis and personal growth.

When constructing a reflective essay, you should focus on three main areas: the events or happenings, the reflection process, and the insights gained. During reflection, you critically analyze what was effective, what you learned, the usefulness, and your emotions related to the assignment. This exercise aims for self-improvement by recognizing your writing strengths, identifying areas that need development, and considering future steps to enhance your writing skills.

By being critical and honest in your reflection, you can understand the practical application of assignments within academia, your development as a writer, and your achievements and shortcomings. This reflective practice strives to influence not only your thinking but potentially your behavior as well.