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Unit 11: Reflective writing - Vocabulary aid

Here are a few suggestions for words and phrases that might be useful in reflective writing. However, using any of them will not in itself make you a good reflective writer! The vocabulary aid is structured according to the three-part analysis on the previous page.

Description (the short bit!)
We are not suggesting specific vocabulary for any descriptive elements of your reflective writing, because
the range of possible events, ideas or objects is so great. Remember that if describing an idea, such as a theory or model, it is usually best to use the present tense, for example ‘Social interdependence theory recognises…’ (not ‘recognised’). Events are nearly always described using the past tense.

Interpretation (probably the most important bit)

    curly bracket symbol aspect(s)  
    element(s)  
  curly bracket symbol meaningful experience(s)  
  significant issue(s)  
For me, the (most) important idea(s)  
  relevant    
  useful     curly bracket symbol arose from ...
      learning happened when ...
        resulted from ...

Previously, curly bracket symbol   bracket symbol thought (did not think) ...
At the time,   felt (did not feel) ...
At first, I knew (did not know) ...
Initially,   noticed (did not notice) ...
Subsequently,   questioned (did not question) ...
Later,   realised (did not realise) ...

    curly bracket symbol might be curly bracket symbol because of ...
[Alternatively] This is perhaps due to ...
[Equally]   could be explained by ...
    is probably related to ...

This curly bracket symbol is similar to ... because ...
  is unlike ...  

[Un]like this curly bracket symbol reveals ...
    demonstrates ...

Creative Commons License
SMILE - Writing skills - Reflective Writing by Martin Hampton, ASK, University of Portsmouth modified by Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/studentsupport/ask/resources/handouts/writtenassignments/filetodownload,73259,en.pdf