Find a Conversation and Listen In

Reflective essays allow you to share your thoughts about a subject with readers who might have a common interest in it. You might reflect on a personal experience, an idea you’ve encountered in a book or a blog, a photograph or other physical object that holds special meaning for you, a person you’ve met or read about, a troubling conversation with a friend, or a recent event. In fact, you can reflect on almost anything. To get started on your reflective essay, spend some time thinking about your purpose, your readers, and the context in which your writing will be read (see Writer’s Role: Observer). Then generate some ideas about possible subjects for your reflection, choose one that seems promising, and learn more about it by observing it closely or discussing it with others.