How to Critically Reflect in an Essay?

Step 1: Read the text and identify literary components. 

Step 2: Write a literary analysis thesis statement. 

Step 3: Compose and add a title 

Step 4: Add the body paragraphs to the essay 

Step 5: Write the conclusion

An outline in an essay refers to a structured plan that provides an overview of the main points and ideas to be discussed. It serves as a guide that helps writers organise and present their thoughts coherently and logically.

1. Shape your ideas 
2. Categorise information 
3. Decide the sequence of material 
4. Present your points as short phrases and sentences.

The main components of a standard essay are an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Generally, an essay is five paragraphs long. 

1. An introduction outline 
2. Write 3 main arguments 
3. Back your arguments using quotes 
4. Summarise in conclusion 

An essay comprises three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction introduces the topic, provides background information, and expresses the main argument. The body includes analysis, evidence, and interpretation. The conclusion wraps up your ideas.

Make sure to take your time to organize your essay and the sequence of information within the main body.

In the concluding chapter of your reflective essay, provide a synopsis of the ideas that you have presented in the essay. Present how your beliefs and perspectives have changed and how your personality has been influenced. 

1. Choose a specific experience or event to reflect on.
2. Provide background information to contextualise the experience and explain how it impacted you at the time.
3. Analyse your thoughts and feelings about the experience.
4. Identify any assumptions or biases you had before the experience.
5. Use concrete examples or anecdotes to illustrate your points, and provide evidence to support your claims.
6. Consider the perspectives of others involved in the experience.
7. Conclude by summarising the key points of your reflection.

The reflective essay starts with an introduction which contains the hook and the thesis statement. It summarises your life experiences and responses. The conclusion section should provide a synopsis of the ideas presented in the essay.

A reflective essay is a type of academic essay where the writer reflects on their life experiences. Using your life examples, you can share thoughts on certain topics. It requires proper critical analysis. 

Follow the given steps to complete your summative essay. 

1. Know Your Essay Summative Topic
2. Research Relevant Material 
3. Make A Summative Essay Outline 
4. Write The Introduction 
5. Work On The Main Body Paragraphs 
6. Write A Compelling Conclusion 

A summative essay is used to evaluate the knowledge of students and their concepts of the course contents. They usually take place at the end of the term. It follows the standard essay structure containing an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

Essays are mostly considered summative. Instead of seeing them as learning opportunities, students tend to see them as tasks. 

The number of paragraphs in the essay introduction depends on the length of the essay. For a long essay, you might require 2 to 3 paragraphs to introduce your topic completely.

A 2500 words essay is usually around 10 to 17 paragraphs long, with the length of each paragraph varying from 100 to 250 words. 

According to the manuscript format, you should indent the first line of each paragraph. However, the first paragraph after the heading or title should not be indented. 

A 2000 words essay is usually 10 to 15 paragraphs long. The number of paragraphs in a 2000-word essay can vary depending on the topic, essay style, and purpose of the essay.

A 1000 words essay usually has three to four paragraphs. The body paragraph should be around 600 to 800 words, with an introduction and conclusion containing 100 words each.

The introduction paragraph for an essay should contain the following components. 

1. A hook statement to get the reader’s attention
2. Background information on the topic 
3. A thesis statement explaining the main argument. 

The most common structure of an essay contains five paragraphs. One introduction, 3 body paragraphs and one conclusion. The number of paragraphs varies according to the essay style, subject or requirements of your institute.

Academically, the length of the paragraph is usually between 200 to 300 words. Make sure to check the guide provided by your teacher before you start working on your essay. Moreover, ensure that your paragraph covers all the points necessary to support your argument. 

Start your essay paragraphs with a topic sentence that briefly explains the following paragraph. Add a sentence or two to support or oppose your argument.

Here are a few reasons why you might have to shorten an essay. 

• When you have a word or page limit for the assignment or publication.
• When your essay includes irrelevant or redundant information, that does not affect the quality or clarity of the writing.
• When your essay is too long, you must condense it to meet the desired length or improve readability.
• When your essay includes a long quote or citation that you can shorten without it losing its meaning or context.

Follow the given steps if you want to shorten a quote in an essay. 

• Identify the portion of the quote that you want to use.
• Determine the words that can be removed without changing the quote’s meaning.
• Use ellipses (three dots with a space before and after each dot) to indicate the omission of words.
• Place the shortened quote within quotation marks and provide a proper citation to the source.

Review the following recommendations to shorten an essay. 

• Create a compelling outline. 
• Reduce redundancy 
• Combine sentences with similar meanings 
• Avoid the overuse of prepositional phrases 
• Use clear and concise words. 
• Remove irrelevant information

The standard structure of an expository essay consists of 5 paragraphs. 

• Introduction 
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3 
• Conclusion 

You can write an exceptional expository essay by following the steps below.

1. Choose a topic
2. Research and gather information
3. Create an outline
4. Write an introduction
5. Write the body paragraphs.
6. Write a conclusion
7. Edit and revise

The main difference between an expository essay and an argumentative essay is the purpose and approach of the writing.

An expository essay is meant to inform or explain a topic or idea to the reader. It presents factual information and evidence on a particular subject without expressing any personal opinion or argument. The writer aims to explain the topic clearly and objectively, often using examples, statistics, or research to support their claims.

An argumentative essay, on the other hand, is written to persuade the reader to accept the writer’s viewpoint or argument on a particular topic. It presents a claim or argument on a debatable issue, provides evidence and reasoning to support it, and often refutes opposing viewpoints. The writer tries to convince the reader to agree with their perspective.

An expository essay is a type of academic writing aiming to explain or describe a particular topic, idea, or concept. The primary objective of an expository essay is to provide information to the reader in a clear, concise, and objective manner.

There are four main types of persuasive essay writing. 

• Discursive Essay – explores different aspects of the Essay
• Argumentative Essay – observation of scientific aspects of a research 
• Exegetical Essay – conduct exegesis and write the results 
• Expository Essay – explain an idea rationally 

The three types of persuasive techniques include:

• Ethos: Establishing credibility or trustworthiness with the audience.
• Pathos: Fascinating to the emotions of the audience.
• Logos: Using logic, reason, and evidence to support a claim.

• Focus on your thesis statement and ensure that every sentence supports it.
• Use descriptive language sparingly, and be selective in your choice of words.
• Use concrete examples to illustrate your points instead of relying on lengthy descriptions.
• Be concise and use clear, straightforward language.
• Have someone else read your essay to see if it is too descriptive or unclear.

The length of a descriptive essay can vary depending on the topic and the assignment requirements. Typically, a descriptive essay can range from one to five pages or 250 to 1000 words.

Start by choosing a topic you want to describe in detail. Use sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Write an introduction that includes a thesis statement and gives an overview of what you will describe. Use descriptive language to describe the subject, using words that captivate the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).

Use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the next. In the conclusion section, summarise your main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression of the subject. Edit and revise your essay to ensure it is well-written and error-free.

A descriptive essay is used to describe a certain person, place, event or any other element in a creative manner. For example, describing your journey will be a descriptive essay. 

The SAT essay consists of one section, and its difficulty level can vary depending on an individual’s writing skills, critical thinking ability, and the topic given. The essay assesses a student’s ability to analyse a given passage and develop a well-organised, coherent response.

However, some students may find the essay’s analysis and development of a strong argument the most challenging aspect. Others may struggle with time management and completing the essay within the allotted 50-minute time frame. It ultimately depends on an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in writing and critical thinking.

To prepare for the SAT essay, students should practice writing essays on various topics, time themselves, and get feedback from their teachers or peers to improve their skills.

The structure of the SAT essay consists of the following elements. 

• Introductory Paragraph
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Conclusion Paragraph

There are three stages of writing the SAT essay. 

• Reading 
• Planning 
• Writing 

To start writing the SAT essay, read the prompt carefully, create a thesis statement that clearly expresses your position, outline your essay, use evidence to support your argument, and review and edit your essay before submitting it.

A rhetorical essay consists of three sections.

Introduction – introduce the topic  

Body – evidence, analysis, and explanation of how the author uses rhetorical devices to achieve their purpose.

Conclusion – summarise the main points of the arguments.

The different modes of rhetorical analysis include the following:

• Compare and contrast – two ideas, concepts, people etc. 
• Narration – storytelling 
• Description – describing something 
• Definition – explanation of something 
• Argumentation – Arguing about a topic with evidence 
• Illustration – using examples to explain something 
• Process explanation – step-by-step guides  
• Cause and effect – Examining and explaining the outcomes and reasons

A rhetorical analysis essay is a composition that emphasises the writer’s use of techniques and style to capture the reader’s attention rather than focus solely on the content being communicated. The essay closely examines how the writer has conveyed their message rather than just the message itself.

To learn to write in cursive, follow these steps:

1. Study cursive letters: You can find cursive writing examples in books, online resources, or handwriting workbooks.
2. Practice basic strokes: Cursive writing comprises a series of basic strokes like curves, loops, and diagonal lines.
3. Start with lowercase letters: They are easier to write than uppercase letters. Start with letters that have simple shapes, such as “a,” “c,” and “e.”
4. Connect the letters: Connect letters to form words. Cursive writing is designed to be fluid and connected, so practice making smooth connections between letters.
5. Move on to uppercase letters: Now, you can practice uppercase letters. Uppercase letters can be more complex, so take your time and practice them one by one.
6. Practice regularly: Like any skill, cursive writing takes practice to master. Ensure to leave some time each day to practice your cursive writing, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

To write “f” in cursive, follow these steps:

1. Start with a downward stroke: Begin by placing your pen or pencil on the writing surface and making a downward stroke that slants slightly to the right.
2. Add a loop: At the bottom of the downward stroke, create a small loop that extends to the right. This loop should be similar to the one you make when writing the letter “e” in cursive.
3. Cross the loop: Once you have made the loop, continue the stroke upward and slightly to the left. Cross the loop you made with a horizontal line extending to the left.
4. Finish with a hook: Create a small hook at the end of the horizontal line that curves to the right. This hook should be similar to the one you make when writing the letter “j” in cursive.

To write in cursive, you first need to gather a pen or pencil, a four-lined book or paper, and cursive handwriting worksheets. Once you have collected these items, follow these steps. 

• Practice the simple entrance-exit stroke. 
• Practice stroke upward 
• Start working on curved stroke 
• Work on words that require multiple strokes 
• Practice the difficult alphabets like b and f
• Practice curved alphabets 
• Start writing words and sentences

Cursive writing is a style of handwriting in which the letters are joined together flowingly. It is also known as script or longhand writing. In cursive writing, the letters are typically written in a slanted and connected manner, allowing for faster and more efficient writing than printing.

Here is a thesis statement example for an essay:

Topic: The benefits of exercise for overall health.

Thesis statement: Regular exercise offers numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle strength and endurance, and reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

To write a thesis statement for an essay, first, identify the main topic or argument of the essay. Then, craft a sentence or two that clearly and concisely summarises the main point or argument of the essay. An effective thesis statement should be specific and guide the reader’s understanding of the writer’s argument. It should be located at the end of the introductory paragraph to set the direction and focus for the rest of the essay. Revising and refining the thesis statement may be necessary as the essay develops.

An Essay thesis statement is a sentence or two that presents the main argument or point of the essay. It typically appears at the end of the introductory paragraph and sets the direction and focus for the rest of the essay.

A thesis statement could be a sentence or two that summarises the main point or argument of an essay, research paper, or other academic or persuasive writing. It typically appears at the end of the introduction paragraph and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.

Mainly, There are three types of thesis statements.

Argumentative Thesis Statement – Present an argument with evidence

Expository Thesis Statement – Explains your topic to the reader 

Analytical Thesis Statement – Present a particular aspect of the essay

Writing a thesis statement can be easy if you follow the given steps. 

1. Decide your topic and the type of essay. 
2. Formulate a question 
3. Write an initial answer. 
4. Provide Logical reasoning in the answers.

An undergraduate essay is usually between 1000 to 5000 words. However, this is just the average number of words. The length of an undergraduate essay may vary according to the institute and subject. It also depends on what type of essay your instructor has asked you to work on. Make sure to check with your teacher or tutor before writing.

The length of an essay is usually shorter than other academic writing. The minimum word count for an essay varies depending on the assignment and the level of education. For example, the minimum word count in high school or undergraduate studies may be around 300-1000 words for a short essay or response paper. In contrast, a graduate-level or research-based essay may have a minimum word count of 2500-6000 words or more. 

It is important to note that while meeting the minimum word count is necessary, it is not the only factor determining the essay’s quality. The focus should always be on effectively communicating your ideas and arguments clearly and concisely, regardless of the word count.

Thought organisation is a crucial step in essay writing. It refers to organising and structuring the essay in your mind before penning it down. This could include a mindmap or creating an essay outline in your mind. Thought organisation in an essay helps in adding all the relevant information and not missing out on any important points. It helps you in designing an essay that will be easier to read.

Mind mapping is a useful technique for organising ideas and concepts in an essay. First, you should identify your essay’s main topic or theme. Write it down in the centre of a blank sheet of paper and circle it. Then, brainstorm related ideas and subtopics, writing them down and connecting them to the central theme with lines. 

Continue to add ideas and subtopics, branching out and creating connections between them. You can use keywords, phrases, or images to represent the ideas in your mind map. Once you have completed your mind map, you can use it to guide your writing process, ensuring that your ideas are included in your essay and presented logically and coherently.

In Harvard referencing style, the 6Cs of nursing can be referenced in the following format:

Department of Health. (2012). Compassion in Practice: Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff – Our Vision and Strategy. London: Department of Health.

Jane Cunnings, The chief nursing officer of the national health service (NHS), in England, established the 6 Cs of nursing essay in 2017. 

The 6Cs of nursing can be referenced using the following citation format:

Department of Health (2012). Compassion in Practice: Nursing, Midwifery and Care Staff – Our Vision and Strategy. London: Department of Health.

Communication:

• Helps to clearly convey ideas and information to the reader.
• Improves the structure and organisation of the essay, making it easier to follow.
• Helps to clarify any doubts or questions the reader may have.
• Contributes to the professionalism and credibility of the essay.

Commitment:

• Helps to maintain focus and ensure that the essay meets the required standards.
• Contributes to the quality of the content by motivating students to conduct thorough research and analysis.
• Helps to identify and address any weaknesses or gaps in the essay.
• Shows dedication and passion for the subject matter, which can make the essay more compelling and engaging for the reader.

By following the 6Cs of the nursing essay, you will be able to write a compelling nursing essay. The 6 Cs are stated below.

• Communication – for better collaboration with the team and patients. 
• Commitment – dedication towards the patients and nursing profession. 
• Compassion – to give patients a sense of reliability 
• Care – constantly caring through every phase of a patient’s treatment. 
• Courage – to act in the patient’s best interest 
• Competence – processing all the nursing expertise and knowledge successfully.

• Patients feel more comfortable and trust nurses who exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• Interpersonal skills help nurses build rapport with patients, leading to better communication and improved patient outcomes.
• Effective communication skills help nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals, leading to better teamwork and coordinated care.
• Interpersonal skills are essential for conflict resolution, which is crucial in high-pressure situations.
• Good interpersonal skills help nurses provide emotional support to patients and their families during difficult times.
• Nurses with strong interpersonal skills are more likely to succeed in leadership roles and advance their careers.

You have to show these interpersonal skills in your nursing essay to demonstrate that you can deal with different people and situations successfully. 

You can follow the given tips to improve your interpersonal skills, which are required in dealings with patients and co-workers, and also while writing your reflective essay. 

• Practice Active Listening
• Develop Empathy
• Improve Your Communication Skills
• Be Open-Minded
• Develop Your Teamwork Skills
• Learn Conflict Resolution Skills
• Develop Your Leadership Skills
• Attend Workshops And Training Sessions
• Seek Feedback

You should have the following interpersonal skills in a nursing essay:

• Good Communication 
• Teamwork Expertise 
• Upbeat Attitude 
• Negotiation 
• Listening 
• Leadership 
• Empathy 
• Conflict Management 

1. Highlight the importance of interpersonal skills in nursing practice.
2. Describe specific instances where you demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families, and colleagues.
3. Provide examples of how you established rapport with patients and made them feel comfortable and heard.
4. Discuss how you communicated effectively and empathetically with patients and families, especially during difficult situations.
5. Explain how you collaborated with healthcare professionals from different disciplines to ensure the best patient outcomes.
6. Describe how you actively listened to patients and families and responded to their needs and concerns.
7. Discuss how you maintained professional boundaries while building trusting relationships with patients.
8. Highlight any training or continuing education you have completed improving your interpersonal skills.
9. Emphasise the impact your interpersonal skills had on patient care and outcomes.
10. Conclude by reiterating the importance of interpersonal skills in nursing practice and how you will continue to develop and utilise them in the future.

1. Select a topic relevant to nursing practice that aligns with your interests.
2. Conduct extensive research on the topic, using credible sources such as academic journals and textbooks.
3. Identify the key themes and issues related to the topic.
4. Use critical thinking to analyse the information gathered, considering the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence presented.
5. Create an outline that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
6. In the introduction, provide background information on the topic and state your thesis or main argument.
7. In the body, present your analysis and supporting evidence using examples from your research.
8. Consider counterarguments and address them in your essay.
9. Draw a conclusion that summarises your analysis and restates your thesis.
10. Edit and proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

Writing a case study nursing essay can be difficult for a few students considering the depth of the topics. Here are a few steps that you can take to write the perfect case study nursing essay. 

1. Identify a patient and obtain consent to use their case study for educational purposes.
2. Collect all relevant patient data and medical history.
3. Identify the patient’s health issues and formulate a nursing diagnosis.
4. Develop a nursing care plan to address the patient’s needs.
5. Discuss the nursing interventions implemented and their effectiveness.
6. Analyse the patient’s response to the interventions.
7. Reflect on the overall effectiveness of the nursing care plan.
8. Conclude by summarising the case study and the key findings.
9. Cite all sources used in the essay.
10. Follow the proper academic writing format and guidelines.

Follow these simple steps to write a good reflective nursing essay. 

• Choose a topic or experience to reflect on
• Start by describing the experience in detail
• Identify and explore your thoughts and feelings about the experience
• Analyse how the experience impacted your learning or practice as a nurse
• Consider what you would do differently in a similar situation
• Use nursing models and theories to support your reflections
• Write a clear and concise introduction and conclusion
• Follow the essay structure and include an engaging hook and thesis statement
• Use first-person narrative and reflective language to express your personal experiences and insights
• Edit and proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

The main body of a nursing essay is where you develop and present the ideas and arguments that support your thesis statement. The main body should be well-structured and organised into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or argument. In a nursing essay, the main body typically includes:

1. Background information on the topic
2. Literature review of relevant studies and research
3. Discussion of the key points and arguments supporting your thesis statement
4. Analysis and evaluation of the evidence presented
5. Examples of case studies to illustrate your points
6. Recommendations or conclusions based on your findings.

Here are the most crucial steps required to write a compelling nursing essay introduction.

• Start with a strong, clear and concise opening statement 
• Provide background information to show the context. 
• Write a thesis statement indicating the boundaries of your research. 
• Proofread and Finalise for any errors. 

The length of a nursing essay introduction can vary, but typically it should be concise and to the point. A good nursing essay introduction should provide enough background information to contextualise the topic and engage the reader’s interest. A general guideline is that the introduction should be around 10% of the total essay length, which means for a 1500-word essay, the introduction would be about 150 words. 

However, it is important to remember that the length of the nursing essay introduction is not as important as its content, clarity, and ability to capture the reader’s attention.

You can find professionally written nursing essay examples on Essays UK. Here is a sample nursing essay. 

The length of a nursing essay can vary depending on the assignment instructions and requirements. Nursing essays can typically range from 500 to 1500 words, but sometimes can be longer, such as 2000 to 3000 words. It is important to review the assignment instructions carefully to determine the required length and formatting guidelines.

Following are the steps required to write an engaging nursing essay.

• Go through the assignment brief thoroughly.
• Choose an engaging topic.
• Create an outline
• Do your research
• Write a compelling introduction
• Write 1 – 5 body paragraphs
• Conclude with a strong paragraph
• Proofread and edit

It can be a complicated step for a few students to start a nursing essay. Just follow these tips to start writing your nursing essay now.

• Choose a topic
• Conduct research
• Develop a thesis statement
• Create an outline
• Write an engaging introduction
• Hook the reader with a strong opening statement
• Provide some background information
• Present your thesis statement
• Preview the main points of the nursing essay
• Use a clear and concise writing style.