REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

​A Reflective Journal.

By Christabel Eke

​Meaning and Example.

A reflective journal is a personal record where you write down your thoughts, experiences, feelings, and insights about events, activities, or learning processes. Its purpose is not just to describe what happened, but to analyze and reflect on it—thinking about what you learned, how you felt, what challenges you faced, and how you might grow or do things differently in the future.

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle :

Description → Feelings → Evaluation → Analysis → Conclusion → Action Plan

Example of a Reflective Journal
Reading about the soldiers and the burdens they carried made me think about how people carry both physical and emotional weights.
Kiowa’s death stood out to me, not just as a loss, but as a reminder of how fragile life is in war.
I felt sadness for Norman Bowker, who struggled even after returning home which showed me that war never truly ends for some.
O’Brien’s storytelling reminded me that memory can both heal and hurt.
I realized that stories are not just about facts but about making meaning out of pain. It made me question how I personally deal with difficult experiences.
Next time I face hardship, I want to reflect, not bury the memory, so I can grow from it.

TRY YOURS....

A 3-Dimensional Character
A 3-dimensional character is a realistic, complex, and relatable character with multiple layers of personality, motivations, and experiences that make them feel like a real person.

Unlike flat or two-dimensional characters, who are often oversimplified, 3-dimensional characters have flaws, unique perspectives, desires, and backstories that are revealed over time, giving them depth and making them feel more human and authentic to the audience.