The basic stages of the reflective process are description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, and action planning. Within each stage, you will use different questions to create depth in your reflective account. For example in the evaluation stage ask yourself what was good or bad about the experience?
The following paragraphs are taken from a student's reflection of a presentation he gave in university. Can you spot which stage of reflection he is at in each of the following paragraphs?
1. I began the presentation by describing the context for the intervention. I stood confidently at the front and made good eye contact with everyone. I felt very nervous but kept my voice very level. I’m not sure why I felt so nervous though?
2. I had decided to make some last minute changes to my power point presentation the night before and had forgotten to make a reprint of the slides so thought I would be able to do this at the learning centre before the presentations began. Unfortunately they have changed the opening times and this meant I was unable to access the printer before the session started. This did upset me because I wanted to hand the slides and leaflet in together as we had been asked. I tried to speak at the same rate as I had rehearsed, but actually forgot to look at the clock and am unsure how long I spoke for. Next time I may put my watch in front of me to remind me of my timekeeping.
