Reflective Writing Structure and Sample

There are 3 key things that will give you a Band 6 piece of Reflective writing:  

1. Have a strong purpose for your writing (which you should have clarified when you started the imaginative, discursive or persuasive). Some examples of this are:

    

Example 1: In my imaginative piece, I have effectively illustrated the detrimental ramifications of human agriculture on the environment, provoking the responder to question their sustainability habits. 

Tip: Always use ‘high modality’ language, where you confidently state you have achieved your purpose. Never use words like ‘tried’, ‘attempted to’ or ‘hoped to’

Example 2: In my discursive piece, I have highlighted the complex issue of male mental health in Australia, provoking the responder to understand the various perspectives towards the situation and develop a more sympathetic attitude towards those who may be struggling with it.  

1. Clearly highlight the stylistic features you have incorporated into your writing from a set text or external source. Aim to have three clear techniques that you use.

Example: In my writing, I have incorporated Atwood’s use of anecdote, hypophora and sarcasm to engage the reader as well as communicate my warning about the detrimental impacts of human behaviour on the environment. 

Tip: Try to pick stylistic devices that are more sophisticated and have a bigger ‘macro’ effect on the writing as a whole (eg. narrative voice, motif, characterisation etc) rather than ‘micro’ techniques such as metaphor, simile. 

1. In each paragraph, ensure you highlight how the composer you have emulated used their stylistic feature, and how you have incorporated it in your piece. You MUST quote an example from your writing, but you don’t need to quote directly from the set text (unless you have an 800 word limit or your teacher has specifically asked for it). 

Here is the structure for a Band 6 Reflection: 

Introduction (2 sentences): 

• Identify the purpose of your writing and what you have achieved in your piece 
• Identify the stylistic features that you have incorporated into your writing from a set text (depending on the question)

Mini Paragraph 1, 2 and 3: 

• Pick your first stylistic feature, and clarify how your set text composer has used it in their writing 
• Quote from YOUR writing, and then explain the technique and effect in relation to your overall purpose 

Conclusion (1 sentence)

• Sum up how you have effectively utilised the stylistic features to communicate your purpose. 

Exercise 

Choose one of the forms of writing you’ve been developing (imaginative, persuasive or discursive) and write the introduction and first ‘mini’ paragraph that highlights your purpose and one stylistic feature you’ve used to communicate this purpose in your writing. 

Reflective Writing Sample

Reflection on A Plea to End the Discrimination of Asylum Seekers 

Inspired by Noel Pearson’s “Eulogy for late Prime Minister”, where he advocates for Aboriginal rights in a time of injustice and discrimination, I have composed a persuasive essay that challenges the unjust treatment of asylym seekers in Australian politics. I have successfully achieved this through incorporating Pearson’s use of rhetorical question, anaphora and high modality language. 

Noel Pearson’s use of rhetorical questions enables him to provoke thought in his listeners about the injustices he witnessed, which I have similarly done in my persuasive piece. In the opening, I have asked “Have we grown too indifferent in our own self-driven lives to show empathy?”, implying that society has become selfish and far too accepting of human rights violations in a country that prides itself on fairness and equality. 

In addition, I have adopted Pearson’s use of anaphora to create rhythm to my piece, engaging the listener through provocative repetition as “We know nothing of their past lives. Their families. Their journeys.” Here, I have clarified the lack of understanding and therefore empathy we have for asylum seekers, that results in the unjust treatment we inflict on them. 

Finally, I provide a call to action through the use of high modality language, similar to Pearson, where I propose that “No action will be yet another stain on our country’s history.” While also incorporating Pearson’s use of the ‘stain’ metaphor, I have powerfully provoked my reader to realise that change and action is required to overcome this injustice. 

Thus, I have successfully utilised key stylistic features from Pearson’s speech to persuade readers that injustices inflicted upon asylum seekers need to be understood and changed for us to achieve a more equitable, humane society. 

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