Reflection Paper

The goal of reflective writing is to realize personal growth. In this assignment you will pursue this goal, interacting with and integrating the information introduced in the course and applying it to your existing experiences.

The Reflection Paper supports the three learning outcomes for the course:

• analyze symptoms and causes of stress in a variety of subjects and contexts, such as individuals, communities, and organizations, for a comprehensive ethical approach to the management of stress
• formulate decisions using knowledge of biological, psychological, and sociocultural consequences of stress
• apply and evaluate stress management techniques and technologies to enable self and others to remediate stressful life situations

Objective: Write a 4 to 5-page personal Reflection Paper that communicates how specific topics, theories, and research findings covered in the course 1) shape your understanding of psychology of stress; and 2) connect to your current knowledge, experiences, and areas of interest.

Instructions Summary: The following guidance lists the key steps for the Reflection Paper.

1. Review the topics we have covered in class, to include those covered during the week this assignment is due.
2. Choose two to three* psychology of stress topics, theories, or research studies covered within the applicable weeks content.
3. Reflect and identify personal relevance of the selected subjects.
4. Research using the UMGC Library.
5. Write and submit for grading a well composed, 4 to 5-page APA style formatted Reflection Paper.

*This is a minimum target, not a finite value. To maximize the benefits of this assignment, focus on a range of subjects that capture your attention. It is appropriate to discuss and integrate related topics. Details extracted from course Learning Resources, and research findings pulled from peer-reviewed articles, can create topic depth and breadth. Related points, when constructively used to compare, contrast, and synthesized your understanding, builds out a thoughtfully elaborated presentation on the topic.

Requirements: The requirements for the Reflection Paper include:

Submit a single document that reflects upon how specific topics, theories, and research findings covered in the course 1) shape your understanding of the psychology of stress; and, 2) connect to your current knowledge, experiences, and areas of interest.

Within the document…

1. Introduce. Concisely introduced the reader to clearly defined topics addressed in the paper. Anchor the paper through a well-constructed thesis statement.
2. Have purpose. Dedicate discussion and analysis to two-three (minimum*) focal topics within the body of the paper. All topics are to be discussed in clear detail.
3. Synthesize. Demonstrate synthesis of each topic with your current understanding of, or experiences with, the topic. Support assertions made.
4. Connect. Identify personal opportunities for application (private, professional, public contexts). Express interrelated ideas coherently and logically.
5. Include sources. Incorporate course sources and a minimum of two (2) peer-reviewed professional sources from our UMGC Library.
6. Use Authorial Voice. Discuss materials in your own words and your own writing style and structure. Avoid excessive use of direct quotes. Doing so may incur a point penalty for each occurrence and will not be accepted as content towards the page count of the reflection paper.
7. Apply APA Style**. Neatly and concisely present a 4 to 5-page APA formatted document containing

• Title Page
• Introduction
• Body (with heading levels applied when appropriate)
• Conclusions
• References Page
• Properly formatted in-text citations and references

*Remember this is a minimum, not a restrictive, fixed target. See note under Instructions.

**Use APA style and subheadings, double-spacing, an appropriate (e.g., Times Roman 12-point; Arial 11-point; Calibri 11-point), one-inch margins (left, right, top, and bottom), page numbering, and logical flow from topic to topic. Write with clarity, paying attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax. Consult the , for proper form of in-text citations and references.

Writing Tips: Sections of the Paper

(Section lengths are averages noted from past student submissions. They are not absolute targets. Develop your paper to meet your message and expressive needs, while meeting assignment requirements.)

• Introduction: (Approx. 1/2-2/3 page). Introduce the topics, theories, and/or research you are reflecting on. Briefly summarize the focus of the paper.
• Introduce the thesis statement, providing the road map for the body of the reflection paper.
• Operationally define relevant concepts in order to anchor how they will be employed throughout the document.
• Body of the paper: (Approx. 3-4 pages) In the body of your paper, dedicate discussion to each focal topic.
• Introduce each topic, providing enough background information for your reader to understand: 1) what the topic is about, and 2) the academic/empirical grounding of the topic. [The goal here is to leverage specific details from the course lessons in order to provide context for conclusions you present.]
• Concisely convey your ideas and opinions about the subject in question. [Hint: It is here that the answers to the sample Making the Connections questions are relevant.] You may find it constructive to discuss the focal topic by comparing, contrasting, and synthesizing a variety of course materials. You may also include additional peer-reviewed academic sources.
• Provide details on how you arrived at conclusions drawn, demonstrating skeptical inquiry and critical thinking.
• Weave into this discussion your personal experiences with the discussed concept/theory/research. This is a critical component of the paper. This is an expression of the connections that make the lessons actively relevant to you. Reflections may include new insights about: yourself; others; barriers, challenges, and opportunities in your personal and/or professional arena; strategies, knowledge, and skills that you discovered and plan to apply; and, observed outcomes emerging from applications you have made.
• Conclusion of the paper: (Approx. 2/3-1 page). Tie it all together.
• Show how the ideas developed in the body of your paper tie together to support your thesis.
• Summarize the overall effect the lessons had on you. What are your takeaways?