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Psychology: PSYC1200 Self-reflection assignment

A Library Guide to Psychology resources for students and staff of the University of Newcastle

Hello PSYC1200 Students, Welcome to the Help Guide!

School of Psychology

This guide is based on your lecturer's Written Assignment Checklist. It has 8 mini-sections to help you with your Written Assignment.

Step 1: Task Understanding

  • Read the instructions and question carefully
  • Read the marking rubric

Step 2: Topic Review

Review all the material covered in the course so far, including:

  • Lecture slides and lecture notes
  • Laboratory tasks and activities
  • Readings

TIP:

Identify what you already know and understand, what you need to know, and how you can find out and learn additional information
 

 

Step 3: Critically Engage

To help you engage with the material, it is recommended that you:

  •  Annotate your notes.
  •  Draw a mind map or diagram of information you have.
  •  Write summaries in your own words.
  •  Develop a list of key terms and concepts.
  •  Draft questions to test knowledge of the material you have just studied.
     

See an example annotation in the Annotated Bibliography Guide

Example of annotations

Step 4: Reflective thinking

Use this framework to reflect on an experience:

  • Describe: describe what happened? Why is it relevant?
  • Respond: what did you observe? What critical moments or events occurred? How did it make you feel?
  • Evaluate: is there a connection between this and your discipline knowledge, professional experience, or own skills? Have you experienced this before? If so, were the conditions the same or different? Do you have the experience and knowledge to deal with it (please explain)?
  • Analyse: what are the important factors underlying this experience? Why are they important to your understanding? Is there any theory and literature that supports your reasoning? Are there any other perspectives?
  • Conclude: what general or specific conclusion can you draw?
  • Action: what next, or what will you do next time? Why would you do this?
     

Watch the following video on Reflective Thinking

George Zakher: Reflective Thinking

Step 5: Answer Questions

Important things to remember when writing up your answers:

  • Clarity: use short simple sentences and familiar non-technical terms
  • Objectivity: be unbiased and unemotional, using facts or evidence
  • Accuracy: present accurate and complete information

In reflective writing, it is important to remember:

  • It is about you, recording your views, reactions, and impressions, so use “I” and other personal pronouns. e.g. I conducted the class with my mentor… and I thought it went well.
  • When you use action verbs these usually express feelings and thoughts. e.g. Considered, thought, felt, wondered, learned, etc.
  • Use cautious and tentative words. e.g. May, perhaps, or might.
  • You might also consider questions such as ‘Why are the things I learnt important to me?’ Or ‘What are the implications of what I learnt for me?’. 
  • Revisit the lecture notes from week 1 for more reflection prompts.

See below the guide to Reflective writing and blogs by Academic Learning Support

Reflective writing and blogs

 

Step 6: Review

When you have completed the required entries:

  • Review your work carefully for spelling, grammar or other errors
  • Check that citations and references match
  • Read the Marking Rubric again to check that you have met the criteria

See below the guide to Top tips to write well

Top tips to write well

 

Step 7: Self-Assessment

Once you are happy with your answers, it is recommended that you:

  • Use the Marking Rubric to review your answers, giving yourself feedback.
  • Incorporate any feedback. Do a final review and edit of your work.

TIP: 
Be as objective and critical as possible, offering yourself constructive and detailed feedback. It helps to imagine that you’re marking the work of another student.

Step 8: Submit!

  • Submit your Written Assignment Part 1 to Canvas. Remember: you can submit your work as many times as you like before the due date.
  • Check your email for a submission confirmation email.
  • Once graded review your feedback carefully.

See below the guide to Common feedback comments and what they mean

Common feedback comments and what they mean