Principles of Criminology Reflection Paper
Consider the following methods of analysis as prompts that can help you get started:
Examine carefully the main introductory elements of the reading, including the purpose of the study, the theoretical framework being used to test assumptions, and the research questions being addressed. Think about what ideas stood out to you. Why did they? Were Fall 2022
STRUCTURE
The structure of the reflection papers for this course will contain three main sections:
- Reflective Background and Context
- Briefly provide background and context in relation to the content that stood out to you.
- Briefly summarize the key readings; remember, this is not a book review.
- This section should end with an explanatory main statement that expresses the central ideas of your paper and what you want the reader to know, believe, or understand after they finish reading your paper.
- Reflective Interpretation
- Drawing from your reflective analysis, this is where you can be personal, critical, and creative in expressing how you felt about the readings and how they influenced or altered your feelings, beliefs, assumptions, or biases about the subject.
- Interpret your learning throughout the course with a series of specific examples drawn from the course content
- Reflecting on each example can be done by:
1) introducing a theme that was meaningful to you,
2) describing your previous position about the issue from the readings and what you thought about it,
3) explaining how your perspective was challenged and/or changed and why, and
4) introspectively stating your current or new feelings, opinions, or beliefs about that topic from the readings.
III. Reflective Conclusion
The conclusion of your reflective paper should provide a summary of your thoughts, feelings, or opinions regarding what you learned about yourself as a result of the readings.
