Begging for advice! Difficulty with Reflective Essays.

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>This week, I realized that I am utterly unable to write reflective essays, so I am here to beg for advice/help. x.x;</p>

<p>It's really frustrating, because by just about any other measure I'm an excellent writer. I did well in the John Hopkins distance writing program (although sadly my computer crashed and I lost all the great advice I recieved from the tutors. >_<). I got two 780s on the SAT writing and critical reading section without even studying, and I've always been the top student in my english classes. In my current AP class, I get great scores on my AP prompt essays and analytical/character essays. I can write poetry, short fiction, book responses ... but yet I am unable to write about myself! </p>

<p>We've started a unit on reflective essays in AP English, and I recieved a C on my first essay, which is a disturbing change from the A's I'm used to getting. What it comes down to is I have no idea how to write about myself. I can write anything about OTHER people, OTHER situations, but when it's a question like "describe your physical/emotional baggage and how it hinders you", I freeze. My writing ability, any eloquence, style, or creativity ... it vanishes, and my esssay sounds incredibly stilted and shallow. </p>

<p>It's not that I'm a boring person. There are plenty of interesting things I could write about, but I just can't seem to do it! I don't know if I'm overly shy about sharing myself with the world or what, but the same goes for writing about personal experiences. My sentences end up sounding elementary and unvaried. Writing usually comes fluidly and naturally, but when it's an essay about ME, I completely freeze. have to get over this block soon, and learn how to write a reflective essay, because I have 3 due in the next week. </p>

<p>Worst of all, reflective essays are super important for college applications, and yet they seem to be the only type of writing I am incapable of completing at a high level.</p>

<p>My AP English teacher has been absolutely no help whatsoever; her philosophy is that writing "cannot be taught", and that I have to figure out how to write reflective essays "on my own."</p>

<p>So, does anyone have any advice for me? How do you approach reflective essays? Do you outline first? Any special hints or tips? What steps do you take in writing them? I feel demoralized, desperate, and depressed. >_<</p>

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<p>Start a blog? Go read other peoples? Or if that's not your thing, start writing in a journal - it helps you reflect on your thoughts every day. Practice makes perfect right?</p>

<p>As for my own reflective essays, I usually don't outline them. I'll write down major points, but I find that outlining takes away the flow from my thoughts - when you reflect on something without writing it down, it doesn't happen like that (intro - development - conclusion). I find that a good way to start is to ask questions (Why did you react the way you did? How did you feel about judging something/someone? etc.) and then to develop those into a "thesis". Then explore a couple points of view - don't just explain them, but explain how you feel about them and why. And keep asking questions... I think that's an essential part of a reflective analysis. You don't have to answer them all either, but show you understand the signficance (or even the lack thereof) of what you are exploring. This is a great way to conclude - even if you can't find an answer to your question, talk about its context and significance in your life, the world, etc. </p>

<p>Hope I helped... </p>

<p>Good luck with all your essays!</p>