The use of reflection as a means for students to assess the way they learn has become an important part of the college instructor’s pedagogy. In the business communication classroom, using a reflection exercise at the end of the term can help students become aware of how their academic pursuits matched up with their goals. And what better way to practice their new business writing skills than writing about what they have learned in your classroom?

Below are two prompts that business communication instructors can adapt as a meaningful way for students to reflect on the school year or the spring semester. Tell students whether you will grade their responses and the level of detail you expect. Perhaps provide them with a minimum and maximum word count if you have used that measure during the semester.

Start with these instructions:

Using the writing strategies you have learned this semester, compose an e-mail or a memo addressed to me in which you evaluate your own growth as a business communicator. Choose one of the prompts below to generate ideas for your message.

Prompt 1: Reflection Geared to Increase Success

Now that you have completed [insert class or other measure], take a moment to review the ways in which you can learn from your experience. Respond to these questions:

• What are you better at now than you were at the beginning of the term/year?
• What made these improvements possible?
• What accomplishment has given you the most pride? Why?
• What went well this term/year?
• Which tools helped you the most this term/year?

Prompt 2: Reflection Geared to Decreasing Challenges

Now that you have completed [insert class or other measure], take a moment to review the ways in which you can learn from your experience by responding to these questions:

• What did not turn out as you would have wished this year/term?
• Why do you think this occurred? Be specific.
• What have you learned about what you need to do to make future attempts more fruitful?
• What challenges did you experience, and what did you take away from that experience?