Reflection/reflective writing is a form of verbal or written expression (often LOW-STAKES) in which writers explore their responses to a given academic task or subject. This type of writing is heavily emphasized in Rhetoric and Composition classes, as well as General Education and WAC curriculums. Reflection occurs in many disciplines and in many forms, including educational settings, the sciences, social work, artistic fields, and even athletic endeavors. Many fields use formal and informal observations along with notebooks and field research as reflective activities. Discussion sections in academic articles following the IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format are also a form of formal reflection (See also METACOGNITION.)
Reflection can also include assessing oneself for strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement; introspective critical thinking and analysis; examination of one’s experiences in order to facilitate growth or change; self-interrogation that can lead to deeper learning; contemplation that can formulate (or re-formulate) goals; deliberation about what occurs between thinking and learning; personal responses to experiences, situations, events and new information; and processing information for thinking and learning.