Assingments % - Self-Reflection Life Picture: A Symbolic Representation of Personal Growth

Completing a self-reflection provides students with several benefits; this practice, which is supported by research, provides students with the opportunity to make sense of and develop from an experience (Purdue University, 2020). This assignment requires the student to create a symbolic picture of your life. Incorporate the major positive and negative happenings. Anything you feel is too personal to share should either be excluded from the life picture or stated in vague, general terms. You may be as creative as you like in illustrating your life. The student may decide to write reflecting positive times and refer to negative ones and emphasizing various life events. This assignment will not be evaluated for artistic ability but rather on such elements as depth of insight, amount of detail, and completeness. Regardless of the format, specific information needs to be clearly incorporated. This writing assignment should be double-spaced with a cover page (see sample in Canvas). Your paper must be written in APA format (see APA manual). Paper must include a one (1) inch margin and 12-inch font. This assignment should consist of 3-5 pages. A rubric will be posted.
Criteria Ratings
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePositive and negative happenings
The student writes personal experiences reflecting positive times and negative ones and emphasizes various life events.
Experiences and feelings
Experiences must be detailed and descriptive.
Does the student seem to be honest about his/her feelings. Depth of insight, amount
of detail, and completeness is demonstrated.
Plan
Did student state a plan as how the experiences assist in his/her perseverance.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar
Student consistently avoids typographical, spelling and grammatical errors; avoiding run-on sentences. Assignment completed in 3-5 pages.
APA format
Assignment should be double-spaced with a cover page. (See APA manual). Paper must include a one (1) inch margin and 12-inch font.

Self-Reflection Life Picture: A Symbolic Representation of Personal Growth

Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth, allowing individuals to understand their past experiences, both positive and negative, and how they have shaped their present. This assignment requires students to illustrate their life journey symbolically, incorporating major life events, emotions, and lessons learned. While creativity is encouraged, the focus should be on depth of insight, completeness, and self-awareness.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements

Your self-reflection should symbolically represent your life while discussing major positive and negative events.
Your paper should be between 3-5 pages, double-spaced, in APA format (including a cover page).
The key elements assessed include depth of insight, descriptive details, and a reflection on personal growth.

Step 2: Plan Your Self-Reflection

Before writing, brainstorm key events in your life that have significantly impacted you. These could include:

Major achievements (academic successes, personal growth, overcoming challenges)
Difficult experiences (loss, failures, obstacles, or life-changing moments)
Turning points that led to personal development
Lessons learned and how they have influenced your outlook on life

Step 3: Structure Your Paper

Cover Page (APA Format)
- Title of the paper
- Your name
- Course name and instructor
- Date of submission
Introduction (1 paragraph)
- Introduce the purpose of self-reflection and its role in personal development.
- Briefly explain the concept of symbolic representation (e.g., a tree with strong and weak branches, a river with smooth and rough waters, etc.).
- State what your symbolic picture represents about your life.
Body Paragraphs (3-5 pages)
- Positive Experiences:
  - Describe major achievements and happy moments.
  - Explain their significance and how they shaped you.
- Negative Experiences and Challenges:
  - Reflect on hardships and struggles.
  - Be honest about your emotions but maintain a growth-oriented perspective.
- Lessons and Personal Growth:
  - Discuss how both positive and negative experiences contributed to your resilience and perseverance.
  - Relate these experiences to your symbolic representation (e.g., “The stormy weather in my painting represents the struggles I overcame, which made me stronger.”).
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
- Summarize how self-reflection has helped you understand yourself better.
- State a future plan for personal growth based on what you’ve learned.

Step 4: Format and Edit Your Paper

Use APA formatting (1-inch margins, 12-pt Times New Roman, double-spaced).
Proofread for grammar, typos, and clarity.
Ensure your symbolic representation is clear and integrated into your writing.