Summary & Critical Reflection Paper

The summary and critical reflection paper (formerly known as the summary paper) answers the “So What?” and the “Now What?” questions within the Experiential Learning Cycle, or to use Kolb’s terminology, it demonstrates abstract conceptualization and generalization as well as experimentation. The paper is generally a synopsis of the journal, with conclusions drawn. It is the place where your personal writing is transferred into writing for an audience. The paper should refer back to your goal(s) and learning objectives. Did you accomplish them? How? Why?

While there are definitely no standards for length, and professors are much more interested in quality versus quantity, sometimes students find it helpful if they have a general target. The range for most good summary and critical reflection papers is three to five typed pages (double-spaced).

Writing the summary and critical reflection paper should be relatively straightforward if you have done a good job of reflective journaling. Since the journal should partially answer the question “So what?” a part of the paper can simply be a summation of such insights from the journal. However, rather than merely focusing on specific examples, the paper should draw general conclusions. It is where you should tie in theoretical concepts and/or general principles from your discipline or studies.

In particular, the summary and critical reflection paper is an opportunity to look at the future and how the experience has changed you. Based on the experience, how will you be a better or different professional in your chosen field? How will you deal with a future situation differently because of the recently completed experience? How are you different? If you were to get a chance to do the experience again, what would you do differently?

Although the Field Period reflective assignments are not typically due until you return to campus, it is recommended that you at least start to write your paper while at the site. Giving yourself the chance to reflect after being away from the site for a week or two is a good idea; start your paper on-site, even write a complete rough draft, but give it at least one more review once back on campus.