Reflection Essay

Reflection Essay 4

Course: PSY 241 Developmental Psychology

Points: 75

Assignment Availability: February 12, 2026 February 18, 2026

This assignment is a 75-point, five-paragraph reflection essay based on Chapters 1417 of the textbook. You will explore a theme or themes related to development across these chapters by selecting three topics, choosing one topic from each chapter, and applying those concepts to real-life examples or observations.

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate understanding through application, integration, and reflection, not memorization or definition recall.

Essay Structure and Topic Requirements

Your essay must follow this structure:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

• Clearly introduce the theme or themes that connect development across Chapters 1417
• Briefly identify the three topics you will discuss
• Make clear that each topic comes from a different chapter

Paragraphs 24: Topic Paragraphs (One per Chapter)

• Each paragraph must focus on one topic from a different chapter
• One topic from Chapter 14
• One topic from Chapter 15
• One topic from Chapter 16 or Chapter 17
• Each topic paragraph must:
• Explain the concept in your own words
• Apply the concept to a real-life example, observation, or experience
• Include at least one quote or paraphrase from an approved source
• Clearly explain the quote or paraphrase in your own words

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

• Summarize key insights across the three topics
• Reflect on how the theme or themes help explain developmental change

Source Requirements

You must use both of the following sources in your essay:

• The course textbook (required)
• One additional academic source from NC LIVE (required)

No other sources are accepted.

Quotation and Paraphrasing Rules

Each topic paragraph (Paragraphs 24) must include at least one quote or paraphrase, but the following rules apply:

• The quote or paraphrase may NOT be a definition
• Definitions quoted or paraphrased from any source will not receive credit
• Quotes or paraphrases may come from either the textbook or the NC LIVE source
• Both sources must appear somewhere in the essay
• Quotes or paraphrases may not stand alone and must be followed by explanation in your own words

Acceptable quotes or paraphrases include explanations, research findings, theory applications, or descriptions of developmental processes.

All sources must be cited using APA format, including in-text citations and a reference page.

NC LIVE Access Information

The required additional academic source must be obtained from nclive.org.

NC LIVE Access Details

• Library: Bladen Community College
• Password: fastlake

If you experience difficulty accessing NC LIVE, contact the Bladen Community College Library directly for assistance. Do not wait until the assignment deadline to resolve access issues.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Length: Five full paragraphs
• Format: APA format
• Citations: In-text citations and a reference page are required
• Submission: Upload directly to Moodle during the assignment window

AI and Late Work Policy Reminder

This assignment is subject to the course Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy outlined in the syllabus. All submitted work must reflect your own original writing and analysis. Use of AI-generated content beyond what is permitted in the syllabus will result in point deductions.

This assignment follows the course no late work policy. Essays submitted after the deadline will receive a grade of zero. Technology issues, access issues, or last-minute problems do not exempt students from this policy. Students are responsible for submitting work early enough to confirm successful upload.

Grading Breakdown (75 points)

• Content accuracy and application across three chapters: 40 points
• Use of textbook and NC LIVE sources (non-definition use): 15 points
• Organization and five-paragraph structure: 10 points
• APA format, grammar, and mechanics: 10 points

Student Checklist

• I selected one topic from Chapter 14, one from Chapter 15, and one from Chapter 16 or 17
• My introduction clearly states the theme or themes
• Each topic paragraph includes a quote or paraphrase that is not a definition
• I explained each quote or paraphrase in my own words
• I used the textbook and at least one NC LIVE source
• My essay follows a five-paragraph structure
• All sources are cited in APA format
• My file uploaded correctly to Moodle