Part Three - Adding Reflective Commentary (Adding Value to the Message)

Activity 7

Driving Questions

What is the different between a sentence that describes and a sentence that reflects?

Reflect

1. Read through the Reflect section of the http://portfolio.psu.edu Web site. This includes all of the pages in the sub-sections.

2. Review the lists that you created and the summative, descriptive narratives you wrote in Part One of this module, i.e., Looking Back and Looking Around.

3. Use the advice and guidelines that are given in the Reflective Writing Steps section of the http://portfolio.psu.edu Web site to write a summative statement for the Looking Back and Looking Around sections, this time that is reflective. First, just get your thoughts down. Later you can combine the most meaningful points into a shorter, more concise version that gets right to the point.

4. Write the same type of paragraph this time about the Looking Ahead piece that you wrote in Part Two of this module, (where you explain to someone else where you hope to be in 2, and then 5 years from now).

 

Activity 8

Driving Questions

Have you made it obvious to your reader what your most important point is? Is it easy for the reader to understand what you mean?

1. Review the reflective narratives that you have written for the Looking Back, Looking Around and the Looking Ahead. Look for the sentence that conveys the most meaning, or at least conveys more of the point you are trying to make more than any of the other sentences. (Oftentimes you will find this sentence at the end of the paragraph!) Underline this very important sentence.

2. Consider what would happen if you start your paragraph off with the sentence that you have underlined. Does this do a better job of getting right to the point?

3. Take your first draft and re-write your reflections in a short, concise paragraph. Your first sentence should get right to the heart of what is meaningful to you. Your purpose here is to provide an honest interpretation for others so that they might appreciate who you are.

4. Ask a friend, advisor or family member to review your reflections. Ask them about the message you are conveying and the manner in which you are conveying it. Remember, if your purpose is to publish your reflections online, be sure that you do not include personal thoughts and ideas that you want to remain private.