Steps for writing a reflective essay

 language. Make sure to read back what you have written. Be concise and clear. Do not worry about the heading or formatting at this point. Make sure at this point you do use essay form, rather than just writing out a reflective question and then answering it.
Step 3 Example: Essay rough draft
As part of my Web Design class at Windward High School (WHS), I created a website for a local organization called the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #31. The assignment was an authentic one as I was able to create a professional page for an actual client. This aspect was rewarding. I was required to meet the needs of a real client while creating a website that matched my studies at WHS. At first, I was not satisfied with my work. To improve upon my original design, I worked for two months to improve the product. The site is now up and running. To see the result of my work, please go to 
	I am very proud of how the webpage turned out. I feel that my upgrades made a big difference to the final product as the current version is much more useable than the first. One important aspect that I included was server-side code, which allows users to make updates to the site more easily. As a result, I have received a great deal of positive feedback from members of the Bellingham Eagles. They are glad that the club finally has a quality website for guests and members to quickly navigate for information. Additionally, I have received compliments for Konni Maier (Eagles Newsletter Editor and Past President) whom I have been working with to update the site with new information each month. 
	When visitors see my work, I would like them to recognize the effort that went into the project like this. A site having code that responds to user information is not an easy thing to create. Most users of the web are unaware of this. I am also hopeful that users can easily navigate through my pages so as to find the information they are seeking.
	For my next web project, I would like to learn more about server-side code (PHP) and learn to write more complicated programs. Working in the software/web industry is one of my professional career goals, and I feel that these types of community projects are going to help me in the long run. Overall, designing a website for the Eagles was a great learning experience. Creating a product that is useable by members of the community is an extremely important part of my education. I look forward to future projects in this area. 
Step 4: Writing a Reflective Essay - Final Draft
Important steps before you print your final draft.
Proof read your finished rough draft. Read it out loud to yourself. This is a very important step!
Make fluency corrections. Correct spelling. Perform a spell check and grammar check.
Make sure you have a catchy introductory sentence and concluding sentence. 
Go back a see where you can replace common words with richer, more descriptive words. Challenge yourself to use at least one new word in your essay. Use the thesaurus tool in your word processing document for ideas.
Format the essay using MLA and print a copy. 
Have a friend and/or teacher proof read your essay and give you suggestions for improvement.
Make corrections.
If you are unsure about a comma placement or other syntax item ask your advisor or another teacher to help you. 
Put the correct heading on the essay and print it out. 
Print a copy for your advisory teacher and then save the document to your Portfolio Collections folder on your H drive.
Step 4 Example: Essay Final Draft
Please see below
David Windward
January 4th, 2007
Reflective Essay 1
 Me, helping eagles fly? As part of my Web Design class at Windward High School (WHS), I created a website for a local organization called the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, #31. The assignment provided an authentic opportunity to create a professional-looking page for an actual client. I was challenged to meet the website needs of this client while also meeting specific criteria for my Web Design class; a rewarding aspect of the assignment. Designing a good web page is challenging and I spent two months improving upon my first design attempt. I am pleased to say the site is now up and running. To see the result of my work, please go to 
 I am very proud of how this webpage turned out. Upgrades and design improvements made an immense difference to the final product. The current version is, by far, more “user friendly” than my first version. An example of a specific improvement included incorporating server-side (PHP) code in the design. PHP code allows users to easily update a site. As a result of this design enhancement, I have received a great deal of positive feedback from members of the Bellingham Eagles. They are glad that the club finally has a quality website for guests and members allowing quick navigation for needed information. Additionally, I have received compliments for Konni Maier (Eagles Newsletter Editor and Past President) whom I have been working with to update the site with new information each month. 
 When visitors see my work, I would like them to recognize the effort that went into a project like this. A site having code that responds to user information is not an easy thing to create; encoding information is a complex and precise task. Most users of the web are unaware of the time and specific steps a designer must use to create this seemingly simple maneuver on a site. I am hopeful that my efficient design allows users to more easily navigate through the pages of the site to find the information they seek.
 For my next web project, I would like to learn more about PHP and learn to write other complicated programs. Finding work in the software/web industry is one of my career goals. Certainly, authentic community projects and academic assignments, like designing a web page for the Eagles, will help me successfully achieve my professional aspirations. Overall, designing a website for a real client was a fabulous and rewarding learning experience. Creating a useable product for a community member is an extremely important and valuable part of my education. I look forward to future projects in this area, spreading my wings and the skies the limit!
Reflective Essay Rubric 
Name:_____________________Advisory:________
Assessment
Superior
At Standard
Developing
Needs Work
Comments
Format
Paper is formatted using designated heading and all required MLA guidelines.
Paper is formatted using designated heading and all required MLA guidelines.
Paper is formatted using designated heading and some required MLA guidelines.
Paper is formatted using a heading and few or no required MLA guidelines.
Form
Essay form is used with expertise.
Essay form is used.
Student used question/answer format. 
There is no discernable form.
Grammar
Syntax is exemplary and dynamic and all spelling is correct.
All syntax and spelling is correct.
Some syntax is correct. There are one or more spelling errors.
Little syntax is correct. There are one or more spelling errors.
Content:
Backward, Inward, Outward, and Forward looking reflective questions are addressed.
Each reflective question is thoroughly addressed using rich, descriptive detail with verve and graceful, effortless language. The essay flows smoothly and engages the reader fully. 
Each reflective question is thoroughly addressed using descriptive detail and effortless, efficient language. The essay flows easily and engages the reader.
Each reflective question is addressed using some detail and awkward language. The essay flows unevenly and the reader is somewhat confused.
Few or none of the reflective questions are distinguishable. Little or no details are used and the essay stumbles awkwardly. The reader is uninformed and indifferent.
Time and Effort
The student made excellent use of time in advisory and met the turn in date. Stellar effort!
The student made good use of time in advisory and met the turn in date.
Good effort!
The student made some use of time in advisory, but was distracted and turned in the essay late. Some effort was made.
The student made no effort in advisory, was a distraction to others and failed to meet the turn in date. 
Essay Evidence and storage
I have saved the essay and evidence to my: Portfolio Collections folder on the H drive.
I have saved the essay and evidence to my: Portfolio Collections folder on the H drive.
I have saved the essay and to my: Portfolio Collections folder on the H drive.
I have not saved my essay.
Guidelines Academic Reflective Essays
Format for Reflective Essays
Paper – White, standard, 81/2 x 11.
Length – Depending on how you answer the prompts using thoughtful descriptive language.
Type - Times New Roman, 12 point, typed or word-processed, one side, and black ink only.
Margins – Using MLA guidelines, 1 inch on all sides. Indent first word of each paragraph five spaces.
Spacing – Essay should be uniformly double spaced.
Heading
	Please use the following heading on all your reflective essays.
	Wendy Windward
	January 16, 2007
	Reflective Essay
Format
	Essay form is to be used. Please DO NOT use a question and answer form. 
General Compositional Guideline for Writing
Avoid informational abbreviation (e.g. &, w/o, $)
Avoid contractions (e.g., he’s, don’t, we’ll) 
Spell out numbers between one and ninety-nine, unless they are specific statistics
	(e.g. The works of ten students were included: the work represented 25 percent of 	the class.) In some disciplines (e.g. business and journalism), it is acceptable to 	spell out only numbers on through ten.
4. Hyphenate works properly, or just move to the next line. Do not squeeze in a 	work on the edge of the paper.
5. When writing about literature, use present tense verbs.
6. A paragraph should not end with a quotation.
7. Use consistent verb tense.
8. Use action verbs (walk, talk, think, and so on) instead of linking verbs (is, are, 	was, were, and so on.)