personal reflective writing. why reflective writing? you are most likely to do really well in the...

PERSONAL PERSONAL REFLECTIVE WRITINGREFLECTIVE WRITING

Why reflective writing?Why reflective writing?

You are most likely to do really You are most likely to do really well in the essay writing NAB if well in the essay writing NAB if you choose to produce a piece of you choose to produce a piece of Personal Reflective Writing. Why Personal Reflective Writing. Why do you think this is?do you think this is?

TASK - Now try this…TASK - Now try this…

Work with a partner, a small Work with a partner, a small group, or with your class. group, or with your class.

Make a list of all the reasons you Make a list of all the reasons you can think of to explain why can think of to explain why people do best at this type of people do best at this type of writing.writing.

Choosing what to write Choosing what to write aboutabout

It shouldn’t be too hard for you to choose a topic. It shouldn’t be too hard for you to choose a topic. After all, you know yourself better than anyone After all, you know yourself better than anyone else does. else does.

Only you have lived your life. Only you have lived your life. You are the only person in the world who has had You are the only person in the world who has had

your particular set of experiences. your particular set of experiences. You are the only person in history who ever had You are the only person in history who ever had

the exact set of family and friends that you have. the exact set of family and friends that you have. Your brain is the only one in the entire universe Your brain is the only one in the entire universe

to hold your set of memories, thoughts and to hold your set of memories, thoughts and feelings.feelings.

You are unique, interesting and well worth You are unique, interesting and well worth writing about.writing about.


Stop and think. Stop and think.

Is there a Is there a childhood experiencechildhood experience you have had which matters to you have had which matters to you very much, one that you’d you very much, one that you’d like to write about in your like to write about in your Personal Reflective essay? If there Personal Reflective essay? If there is, write it down now and keep is, write it down now and keep that note.that note.

Narrowing down Narrowing down your ideasyour ideas

Different Different Experiences…Experiences… If you don’t already have a If you don’t already have a

subject in mind, then it may help subject in mind, then it may help you to think very quickly about a you to think very quickly about a lot of different experiences you lot of different experiences you may have had, to see if any of may have had, to see if any of them are suitable for a longer them are suitable for a longer piece.piece.


Can you write just one paragraph for each option below?Can you write just one paragraph for each option below?

What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you? What is the hardest thing that has ever happened to What is the hardest thing that has ever happened to

you?you? What is the happiest thing that has ever happened to What is the happiest thing that has ever happened to

you?you? What is the saddest thing that has ever happened to What is the saddest thing that has ever happened to

you?you? What is the most frightening thing that has ever What is the most frightening thing that has ever

happened to you?happened to you? What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to

you?you?

TASK - Now try this…TASK - Now try this… Can you write just one paragraph for each Can you write just one paragraph for each

of these options below? Which event or of these options below? Which event or time in your life:time in your life:

has most shaped youhas most shaped you has made you grow up or maturehas made you grow up or mature has most changed your familyhas most changed your family has been most confusinghas been most confusing showed you the best of people/someoneshowed you the best of people/someone showed you the worst of showed you the worst of

people/someone?people/someone?


Now you are going to think about Now you are going to think about some ways a person could make some ways a person could make an impact on life.an impact on life.

Again, can you write just one Again, can you write just one paragraph for each option below?paragraph for each option below?

Which person:Which person:

has most influenced you ?has most influenced you ? has most helped you ?has most helped you ? has most hurt you ?has most hurt you ? do you miss most ?do you miss most ? are you most glad to be rid of ?are you most glad to be rid of ?

Now try this….Now try this….

You should now have up to You should now have up to seventeen short paragraphs in seventeen short paragraphs in front of you. front of you.

Read them over. Is there one you Read them over. Is there one you could write about in depth in your could write about in depth in your Personal Reflective essay? Personal Reflective essay?

If there is, write it down now and If there is, write it down now and put your note somewhere safe.put your note somewhere safe.

Thoughts and Thoughts and feelingsfeelings

Good writing Good writing techniquestechniques

Your Personal Reflective Writing will really Your Personal Reflective Writing will really come to life when you include your come to life when you include your thoughts thoughts and feelingsand feelings. No one else knows these. Only . No one else knows these. Only you can tell the reader about them.you can tell the reader about them.

To show you what I mean, let’s look at an To show you what I mean, let’s look at an example.example.

Fergal Keane, author of ‘Letter to Daniel’, Fergal Keane, author of ‘Letter to Daniel’, writes a piece addressed to his newborn son, writes a piece addressed to his newborn son, combining the reflections and memories of a combining the reflections and memories of a man in his role as a foreign correspondent, man in his role as a foreign correspondent, then working in Hong Kong, but also describing then working in Hong Kong, but also describing his emotions as a father. his emotions as a father.

Letter to DanielLetter to Daniel-Audio-Audio

‘‘Letter to Daniel’Letter to Daniel’

Early in the letter the writer Keane Early in the letter the writer Keane addresses his baby son directly and the addresses his baby son directly and the mood created is one of paternal love and mood created is one of paternal love and devotion. devotion.

It becomes evident how pleased, It becomes evident how pleased, overjoyed indeed, both Keane and his overjoyed indeed, both Keane and his wife are to finally have a child.wife are to finally have a child.‘Letter to Daniel’ text

However….However…. As the letter continues Keane takes a As the letter continues Keane takes a

critical look at himself and his views on critical look at himself and his views on life before Daniel’s arrival. life before Daniel’s arrival.

As a war correspondent his values were As a war correspondent his values were radically different to what they are now radically different to what they are now that he is a father. that he is a father.

From paragraph six onwards he considers From paragraph six onwards he considers the suffering he has witnessed in his job. the suffering he has witnessed in his job.

This suffering is experienced by children This suffering is experienced by children alone and Keane is acutely aware of alone and Keane is acutely aware of Daniel’s vulnerability.Daniel’s vulnerability.


Keane is obviously feeling a mixture of Keane is obviously feeling a mixture of emotions, some positive, some negative.emotions, some positive, some negative.

Copy and complete the following table to Copy and complete the following table to help you explore the emotions in the help you explore the emotions in the extract.extract.

TASK - Now try this…TASK - Now try this…EvidenceEvidence EffectEffect

““More tired, yet more happy than I More tired, yet more happy than I have ever known her…”have ever known her…”

““a soft quiet in our apartment.”a soft quiet in our apartment.”

““days have melted into night and days have melted into night and back again.”back again.”

““a long sentence whose punctuation a long sentence whose punctuation marks are feeding and winding and marks are feeding and winding and nappy changing and these occasional nappy changing and these occasional moments of quiet.”moments of quiet.”

““We had wanted you and waited for We had wanted you and waited for you, imagined you and dreamed you, imagined you and dreamed about you…”about you…”

““This glorious dawn sky makes me This glorious dawn sky makes me think we’ll call you Son of the Eastern think we’ll call you Son of the Eastern Star.”Star.”

Sentence structure – repetition Sentence structure – repetition of “more”of “more”

Word choice – effect of “soft”Word choice – effect of “soft”

Word choice - “melted”Word choice - “melted”

Metaphor – Metaphor – Word choice – effect of Word choice – effect of “occasional” and of “moments”.“occasional” and of “moments”.

Sentence structure – repetition of Sentence structure – repetition of phrases containing “and”.phrases containing “and”.

Word choice – “glorious”Word choice – “glorious”

EvidenceEvidence EffectEffect““More tired, yet more happy than I More tired, yet more happy than I have ever known her…” have ever known her…”

““a soft quiet in our apartment.”a soft quiet in our apartment.”

““days have melted into night and days have melted into night and back again.”back again.”

““a long sentence whose punctuation a long sentence whose punctuation marks are feeding and winding and marks are feeding and winding and nappy changing and these nappy changing and these occasional moments of quiet.”occasional moments of quiet.”

““We had wanted you and waited for We had wanted you and waited for you, imagined you and dreamed you, imagined you and dreamed about you…”about you…”

““This glorious dawn sky makes me This glorious dawn sky makes me think we’ll call you Son of the think we’ll call you Son of the Eastern Star.”Eastern Star.”

Suggests that the feeling of Suggests that the feeling of happiness is so great it outweighs happiness is so great it outweighs the tiredness which accompanies the the tiredness which accompanies the birth of a child.birth of a child.

The word suggests the comfort and The word suggests the comfort and peace brought into his life by the son. peace brought into his life by the son.

The divides between periods of time The divides between periods of time are blurred or removed and time are blurred or removed and time means nothing.means nothing.

The writer’s profession and his daily The writer’s profession and his daily routine are both entwined and routine are both entwined and connected: successful work depends connected: successful work depends on the quiet.on the quiet.

Keane indicates how badly they Keane indicates how badly they wanted a child and how much this was wanted a child and how much this was on their minds. on their minds.

The new day, and the sight of The new day, and the sight of dawn breaking, are symbolic of dawn breaking, are symbolic of hope and optimism. hope and optimism.

Section 2Section 2

Read paragraphs 6 & 7 Read paragraphs 6 & 7 carefully.carefully.

Section 2Section 2 Paragraph 6 marks a new direction in the Paragraph 6 marks a new direction in the

“letter”. “letter”.

Keane takes a critical look at himself and his Keane takes a critical look at himself and his views on life before Daniel’s arrival. views on life before Daniel’s arrival.

As a war correspondent his values were As a war correspondent his values were radically different to what they are now that he radically different to what they are now that he is a father. is a father.

In this section he considers the suffering he has In this section he considers the suffering he has witnessed in his job. This suffering is witnessed in his job. This suffering is experienced by children alone and Keane is experienced by children alone and Keane is acutely aware of Daniel’s vulnerability.acutely aware of Daniel’s vulnerability.

Read paragraphs 6 & 7 Read paragraphs 6 & 7 carefully.carefully.

As you do so, make notes on the As you do so, make notes on the following:-following:-

Imagery, Word choice, Ideas presentedImagery, Word choice, Ideas presented

By close reference to the aboveBy close reference to the above, , explain how Keane indicates that his explain how Keane indicates that his view on view on living living has changed.has changed.

EvidenceEvidence Imagery, Word Imagery, Word choice, Ideas choice, Ideas presentedpresented

‘‘Your coming has turned me Your coming has turned me upside down.’upside down.’

‘‘I have lived a life that has I have lived a life that has veered close to the edge.’veered close to the edge.’

‘‘What people say about us is What people say about us is reason enough to gamble with reason enough to gamble with death.’death.’

‘‘I wonder how I could ever have I wonder how I could ever have thought that glory and prizes thought that glory and prizes and praise were sweeter than and praise were sweeter than life.’life.’

Metaphor – Idea that his view of life has totally changed. Is this wholly positive?

Word choice-’veered’ gives the sense he has been inches away from death due to the risks he takes, like a car on the edge of a cliff

His ego and need to please and receive praise outweighed his own safety previously. He now finds this ridiculous notion

No longer recognises the person he was. Will this impact on how he does his job?

Now look carefully at Now look carefully at paragraphs 8 –10.paragraphs 8 –10.

Why do you think he uses so many Why do you think he uses so many references to setting here ?references to setting here ?

What do these have in common ?What do these have in common ? Why does he say they are “so Why does he say they are “so vividvivid now” ? now” ? Finally, identify the mood created in these Finally, identify the mood created in these

paragraphs and give two examples of paragraphs and give two examples of HOWHOW this mood is created. this mood is created.

‘‘The mood is one of ………………….’The mood is one of ………………….’

To finish off….To finish off…. ‘‘Letter to Daniel’ is a good example of Letter to Daniel’ is a good example of

how a good writer shows his thoughts how a good writer shows his thoughts and feelings throughout a reflective and feelings throughout a reflective piece using various means such as:piece using various means such as:

imagery, imagery, word choice,word choice, Sentence structure Sentence structure

Details and Details and descriptionsdescriptions

Details and Details and descriptionsdescriptions

Because your memories are important Because your memories are important to you, when you bring them to mind to you, when you bring them to mind they will be full of tiny details, things they will be full of tiny details, things you noticed at the time. you noticed at the time.

Many of these details might not be very Many of these details might not be very important in themselves, but they important in themselves, but they become important because they bring become important because they bring that memory to life.that memory to life.

Example…Example…

To let you see what I mean, To let you see what I mean, here’s a piece in which Nigel here’s a piece in which Nigel Slater remembers his childhood.Slater remembers his childhood.

The most forbidden of places was my father’s bedside The most forbidden of places was my father’s bedside drawer. I had never been told not to go there; I just knew it drawer. I had never been told not to go there; I just knew it was out of bounds. A secret place. An ivory coloured drawer was out of bounds. A secret place. An ivory coloured drawer set in a glossy black table, gold handle, its perfect patina set in a glossy black table, gold handle, its perfect patina interrupted only by a ring burned in the top by a hot mug. interrupted only by a ring burned in the top by a hot mug. My mother’s, on the other hand, was an open book. A My mother’s, on the other hand, was an open book. A jumble of tissues and hairpins, powder compacts and jumble of tissues and hairpins, powder compacts and sweets. Home to one of the many Ventolin inhalers tucked sweets. Home to one of the many Ventolin inhalers tucked discreetly around the house.discreetly around the house.

His drawer was neat, and smelled of the cortisone cream he His drawer was neat, and smelled of the cortisone cream he smoothed into his hands in the autumn when each year a smoothed into his hands in the autumn when each year a weird rash would flare up. There were several opened tubes weird rash would flare up. There were several opened tubes of Setlers. There were several menus of dinners he had of Setlers. There were several menus of dinners he had been to, often with the signatures of those who had been to, often with the signatures of those who had attended inside.attended inside.

Setlers were as much a part of my dad’s DNA as his pipe Setlers were as much a part of my dad’s DNA as his pipe and his Daily Telegraph. The chalky white tablets went and his Daily Telegraph. The chalky white tablets went everywhere with him; half and quarter packets were in everywhere with him; half and quarter packets were in every jacket pocket, including the one in his suede every jacket pocket, including the one in his suede waistcoat, and in the glove box of the car. Ten times a day waistcoat, and in the glove box of the car. Ten times a day he would rub his sternum and tear another strip of wrapper he would rub his sternum and tear another strip of wrapper off his indigestion pills.off his indigestion pills.

This short passage is stuffed with This short passage is stuffed with tiny details. tiny details.

We know exactly what each of We know exactly what each of Nigel Slater’s parents kept in their Nigel Slater’s parents kept in their bedside drawers, and what one of bedside drawers, and what one of the table tops looked like. the table tops looked like.

We know all about his father’s We know all about his father’s addiction to indigestion tablets.addiction to indigestion tablets.


Read the following extract from Read the following extract from Chris Stewart’s book The Almond Chris Stewart’s book The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society. Blossom Appreciation Society.

As you read it, make a list of the As you read it, make a list of the small details which make it seem small details which make it seem vivid and Convincing.vivid and Convincing.

At the beginning of the year, my daughter Chloe At the beginning of the year, my daughter Chloe and I decided that we had to get fit, and that the and I decided that we had to get fit, and that the best way to do this would be to create a running best way to do this would be to create a running track in the riverbed. We go there every evening track in the riverbed. We go there every evening now and our pounding feet have marked out a now and our pounding feet have marked out a fairly clear circuit.fairly clear circuit.

The grass is long and makes a pleasant thripping The grass is long and makes a pleasant thripping noise as you race along, and in spring the ground noise as you race along, and in spring the ground is sprinkled with dandelions and daisies which is sprinkled with dandelions and daisies which grow so dense that, through half-shut eyes, you grow so dense that, through half-shut eyes, you might be running though a field of cream. The might be running though a field of cream. The track, however, remains just a bit too rustic for a track, however, remains just a bit too rustic for a good sprint. You have to be careful to hop over good sprint. You have to be careful to hop over the thistles, skip to avoid an ankle-cracker of a the thistles, skip to avoid an ankle-cracker of a stone, and cut close to the broom bush on the stone, and cut close to the broom bush on the third turn while ducking to avoid a poke in the third turn while ducking to avoid a poke in the eye. The second turn is between the third and eye. The second turn is between the third and fourth euphorbia bushes and the start and finish is fourth euphorbia bushes and the start and finish is at the tamarisk tree where we hang our sweaters. at the tamarisk tree where we hang our sweaters. The going is soft sandy turf.The going is soft sandy turf.

As we returned from our run the other night As we returned from our run the other night Chloe called me excitedly to the gate. I turned Chloe called me excitedly to the gate. I turned back and looked where she was pointing. There, back and looked where she was pointing. There, battling its way across the track was a dung battling its way across the track was a dung beetle.beetle.

This particular beetle had lost its jet—black shine This particular beetle had lost its jet—black shine under a thick covering of dust. It was steering a under a thick covering of dust. It was steering a ball of dung with its back legs, while it scrabbled ball of dung with its back legs, while it scrabbled for purchase with its horny front legs. Progress for purchase with its horny front legs. Progress was unthinkably difficult as the ground was was unthinkably difficult as the ground was rough, and of course it was quite unable to see rough, and of course it was quite unable to see where it was going, head down, facing away where it was going, head down, facing away from the desired direction of travel. The ball kept from the desired direction of travel. The ball kept going out of control and rolling over the poor going out of control and rolling over the poor creature, yet without so much as a moment to creature, yet without so much as a moment to dust itself down, the beetle picked itself up and dust itself down, the beetle picked itself up and patiently resumed rolling on its intended course.patiently resumed rolling on its intended course.

Using DialogueUsing Dialogue

Using dialogueUsing dialogue

One more thing you can do to bring your One more thing you can do to bring your writing to life is to put speech into it.writing to life is to put speech into it.

If you can’t remember the exact words If you can’t remember the exact words you and other people said, you can make you and other people said, you can make up something which sounds like what you up something which sounds like what you remember.remember.

For Example….For Example….

Here is Andrew Collins writing Here is Andrew Collins writing about when he was a student in about when he was a student in London, and went to see a flat he London, and went to see a flat he and his friend Rob were and his friend Rob were interested in renting.interested in renting.

There was no sign of Mr. Rabbit outside at the pre- arranged time. We rang the There was no sign of Mr. Rabbit outside at the pre- arranged time. We rang the bell. No answer. Then we heard a disembodied posh voice.bell. No answer. Then we heard a disembodied posh voice. ‘ ‘Are you looking for Claire?’Are you looking for Claire?’ Rob and I stepped back from the door into the apology for a front garden and Rob and I stepped back from the door into the apology for a front garden and craned our necks. A dark-haired woman had her head out of the window on the craned our necks. A dark-haired woman had her head out of the window on the top floor.top floor. ‘ ‘No, we’ve come to see Flat 2.’No, we’ve come to see Flat 2.’ ‘ ‘Oh. OK.’ She put her head back in and closed the windowOh. OK.’ She put her head back in and closed the window Then a light came on in the hail and the front door opened.A girl who looked like Then a light came on in the hail and the front door opened.A girl who looked like she had hauled herself out of her sickbed was standing at the crack in the front she had hauled herself out of her sickbed was standing at the crack in the front door.door. Rob went forward. ‘We’re supposed to be meeting Mr. Rabbit?’Rob went forward. ‘We’re supposed to be meeting Mr. Rabbit?’ ‘ ‘Rabeet.’ She said his name the way the poor of Nottingham in Robin Hood’s Rabeet.’ She said his name the way the poor of Nottingham in Robin Hood’s time must have uttered the name of the sheriff. ‘You can come in if you like.’time must have uttered the name of the sheriff. ‘You can come in if you like.’ She introduced us to a second pallid girl. They were student nurses. They didn’t She introduced us to a second pallid girl. They were student nurses. They didn’t exactly sell the place.exactly sell the place. ‘ ‘You’ve got access to the garden, but it’s so overgrown we’ve never been out You’ve got access to the garden, but it’s so overgrown we’ve never been out there to be honest.’there to be honest.’ ‘ ‘What’s the central heating like?’What’s the central heating like?’The nurse gave a rueful but not unkind Snort. ‘There are gas fires in both The nurse gave a rueful but not unkind Snort. ‘There are gas fires in both fireplaces. Bit dodgy, but we leave them on all evening.’fireplaces. Bit dodgy, but we leave them on all evening.’ ‘ ‘That sounds a bit pricey,’ said Rob through a sharp intake of breath, the very That sounds a bit pricey,’ said Rob through a sharp intake of breath, the very picture of his own dad as usual.picture of his own dad as usual. ‘ ‘It’s the only way to warm the place up.’It’s the only way to warm the place up.’


Just to show why the version with Just to show why the version with dialogue is better, try to rewrite dialogue is better, try to rewrite this piece so that we get all the this piece so that we get all the same information, but without same information, but without any of the characters speaking.any of the characters speaking.

Being ReflectiveBeing Reflective

Being reflectiveBeing reflective So far, in looking at using thoughts, feelings, So far, in looking at using thoughts, feelings,

details, descriptions and dialogue, we have details, descriptions and dialogue, we have been concentrating on the basic skills of been concentrating on the basic skills of Personal Writing. Personal Writing.

However this task is called However this task is called Personal Personal Reflective Writing.Reflective Writing.

To be able to pass, you need to write To be able to pass, you need to write reflectively. This is something that only reflectively. This is something that only mature and insightful writers are able to do.mature and insightful writers are able to do.

This means This means two thingstwo things at once. at once.

Something to think Something to think about..about..

If you stand in front of a mirror you can If you stand in front of a mirror you can examine yourself pretty thoroughly by examine yourself pretty thoroughly by looking at your reflection. looking at your reflection.

Every spot and blemish will be visible, but Every spot and blemish will be visible, but you’ll also be able to see all your good you’ll also be able to see all your good features and everything that you like features and everything that you like about yourself.about yourself.

The The firstfirst meaning of meaning of reflection….reflection….

That’s the first meaning of being reflective That’s the first meaning of being reflective in Writing — in Writing — examining yourself.examining yourself.

You might question and criticise yourself. You might question and criticise yourself. On the other hand you might realise that On the other hand you might realise that you handled the situation well.you handled the situation well.

You may realise that certain experiences You may realise that certain experiences have shaped you and made you into the have shaped you and made you into the person you are, just as growing up changes person you are, just as growing up changes the way your face looks in the mirror.the way your face looks in the mirror.

Something to think Something to think about..about..

Now think of the rear view mirror in a car.Now think of the rear view mirror in a car.

The driver can keep his or her eyes on The driver can keep his or her eyes on the road ahead, while using the mirror to the road ahead, while using the mirror to see what is happening behind.see what is happening behind.

The The secondsecond meaning of meaning of reflectionreflection

That’s the second meaning of reflection: That’s the second meaning of reflection: looking backlooking back. .

Often events in our lives make much more Often events in our lives make much more sense once they are over and we are older and sense once they are over and we are older and wiser.wiser.

Perhaps when something happened to you it Perhaps when something happened to you it was a really terrible experience, but now you was a really terrible experience, but now you realise that you benefited from it in some way. realise that you benefited from it in some way.

Events may be confusing when they happen, Events may be confusing when they happen, but when you look back on them they may but when you look back on them they may make more sense.make more sense.

Below is a list of reflective phrases. Any of these Below is a list of reflective phrases. Any of these phrases can be used to begin a reflective sentence or a phrases can be used to begin a reflective sentence or a reflective paragraph. In fact if you use one of them, reflective paragraph. In fact if you use one of them, whatever you write in the rest of the paragraph will whatever you write in the rest of the paragraph will definitely be reflective.definitely be reflective.

Looking back…Looking back… On reflection…On reflection… With hindsight..With hindsight.. In retrospect…In retrospect… Nowadays I Nowadays I

feel/think/believe…feel/think/believe… If I could do this If I could do this

again...again... If this happened If this happened

now…now… I learned…I learned… I realise...I realise... I understand…I understand… I should have…I should have… I could have...I could have... I wish I had…I wish I had…

Because of this I am…Because of this I am… Since this happened I…Since this happened I… When I think back on this…When I think back on this… Thinking about it now I feel…Thinking about it now I feel… At the time I . . . but now IAt the time I . . . but now I It was a . . . thing to do because…It was a . . . thing to do because… I could have...I could have... I wish this had never happened I wish this had never happened

because…because… Now that I’ve been through this…Now that I’ve been through this… I grew through this experience I grew through this experience

because…because… This made me think about...This made me think about... This experience shaped me by…This experience shaped me by… I’m glad this happened because...I’m glad this happened because...

Looking at some real Looking at some real examples…examples…

You are going to see two pieces You are going to see two pieces of Personal Reflective Writing of Personal Reflective Writing produced by real pupils.produced by real pupils.


First of all just read through the First of all just read through the two pieces of writing. You may two pieces of writing. You may wish to do this aloud around the wish to do this aloud around the class, or you might want to read class, or you might want to read them on your own.them on your own.

EXEMPLARSEXEMPLARS

What next?What next? Now that you have read the stories once, Now that you have read the stories once,

you are going to analyse them in more you are going to analyse them in more detail. detail.

The easiest way to do this is to have a The easiest way to do this is to have a photocopy of each story in front of you. photocopy of each story in front of you. You’ll also need pens, pencils or highlighters You’ll also need pens, pencils or highlighters in three different colours. in three different colours.

You may wish to work with a partner to do You may wish to work with a partner to do the following things as you read the stories the following things as you read the stories again:again:

TASKTASK 11 Every time you find one of the writers sharing their Every time you find one of the writers sharing their

thoughts or feelingsthoughts or feelings, underline or highlight that part , underline or highlight that part of the story in your first colour.of the story in your first colour.

2 2 Every time you find one of the writers using Every time you find one of the writers using detail or detail or descriptiondescription, underline or highlight that part of the story , underline or highlight that part of the story in your second colour.in your second colour.

3 3 Every time you find one of the writers being Every time you find one of the writers being reflectivereflective, underline or highlight that part of the story , underline or highlight that part of the story in your third colour. If you think the writer is in your third colour. If you think the writer is reflecting reflecting widely about life or societywidely about life or society, put a , put a capital Wcapital W in the in the margin beside the highlighted area.margin beside the highlighted area.

44 Write a couple of sentences for each piece to show Write a couple of sentences for each piece to show what made it a good piece of writing.what made it a good piece of writing.

55 For each piece, suggest two things the writer could For each piece, suggest two things the writer could have done that would have made their work even better.have done that would have made their work even better.

Writing your personal Writing your personal reflective piecereflective piece


Take a new sheet of paper, at least A4 Take a new sheet of paper, at least A4 size. At the top write the task you have size. At the top write the task you have chosen. chosen.

Then divide the rest of the page into 4 Then divide the rest of the page into 4 squares with headings as shown on the squares with headings as shown on the next page.next page.

Now…Now… Then use the four squares to plan what Then use the four squares to plan what

you want to put in to your piece of work. you want to put in to your piece of work. Key words, phrases or bullet points will Key words, phrases or bullet points will

do fine. do fine. It’s probably easiest if you start with the It’s probably easiest if you start with the

top left box, where you slot in the rough top left box, where you slot in the rough outline of the story that you’re telling. outline of the story that you’re telling.

Then go on and fill in the other boxes.Then go on and fill in the other boxes.

The basic story The basic story

StartStart

MiddleMiddle

EndEnd

Thoughts and feelingsThoughts and feelings

Details and description Details and description ReflectionReflection

Your title goes hereYour title goes here

FINALLY…FINALLY…

If you’ve chosen Personal Reflective Writing If you’ve chosen Personal Reflective Writing it’s now time to write your piece.it’s now time to write your piece.

In class, but under exam conditions and In class, but under exam conditions and with only your one-page plan to help you, with only your one-page plan to help you, sit down and write your piece. sit down and write your piece.

This should take you around an hour to do.This should take you around an hour to do. When you’ve written it, look at the very end When you’ve written it, look at the very end

of this chapter to find out what to do next.of this chapter to find out what to do next.

What do I need to do to What do I need to do to pass at Intermediate pass at Intermediate

Two?Two?

Your examiner will be looking at Your examiner will be looking at the following:the following:

StructureStructure ContentContent ExpressionExpression Technical AccuracyTechnical Accuracy

Structure:Structure:

Structure takes account of Structure takes account of audience, purpose and genre.audience, purpose and genre.

Content is sequenced and Content is sequenced and organised in ways which are organised in ways which are mainly effective.mainly effective.

Content:Content:

Content is relevant for purpose Content is relevant for purpose and audience. and audience.

There is some complexity of There is some complexity of thought and sustained thought and sustained development of ideas.development of ideas.

Expression:Expression:

Expression establishes a style and Expression establishes a style and tone which communicates a tone which communicates a strong point of view through the:strong point of view through the:

Competent use of techniques Competent use of techniques relevant to genre.relevant to genre.

Appropriate choice of words.Appropriate choice of words. Sentence structure. Sentence structure.

Technical Accuracy:Technical Accuracy:

Technical Accuracy: Spelling , Technical Accuracy: Spelling , grammar and punctuation are grammar and punctuation are consistently accurate. consistently accurate.

The piece of writing must be at The piece of writing must be at least 500 words long.least 500 words long.

The main requirements of the reflectivereflective essay are that it will:

aim to interest or give pleasure, rather than simply convey information

concern itself with, usually, a single idea, insight, experience

be thoughtful in tone and convey a sense of the writer’s personality

reveal the thought processes of the writer.

The reflective essay at Intermediate 2 is not simply an account of an experience.