INSTRUCTIONS
In this essay, reflect on your personal understanding and thoughts about evolution. Consider how the concept of evolution influences your view of human origins, the natural world, and our place within it. Discuss any previous knowledge you had about evolution, how your view may have changed so far from what you have read in the textbook, and what aspects of evolution you find most intriguing or challenging. Use specific examples or experiences to support your reflection.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
A reflection essay should follow the classic essay structure of introduction, body, and conclusion.
Introduction (1 paragraph). An introduction to an essay identifies and introduces your experience or learning. When crafting the introduction of a reflection essay, ensure it contains:
A captivating opening sentence.
A clear thesis statement.
The opening sentence, or hook, grabs the reader’s attention, encouraging them to delve deeper into your essay. This could be an unexpected fact, a compelling statistic, an unusual observation, or a though-provoking question related to the essay’s topic.
The thesis statement should succinctly introduce the main theme of the essay. It should clearly outline the subject matter and provide context for what the reader can expect in the rest of the essay.
Beyond these elements, the introduction should set the stage for the essay by briefly touching on the key points that will be discussed in the main body.
Main Body (2 – 4 paragraphs). In the body of your essay, you’ll dive into the experiences you’re reflecting on. This is where you can compare different experiences, describe specific scenes, and your emotional responses, recount interactions, and contrast your expectations with reality.
There is no fixed number of body paragraphs required for a reflection essay. Typically, essays contain three body paragraphs, but you may include more or fewer depending on how much space you need to fully explore your experiences and reflections.
Conclusion (1 paragraph). The conclusion is where you bring together all the thread from your body paragraphs. Revisit your thesis statement, either by restating it directly or paraphrasing it in light of the reflections you’ve made. Provide a sense of closure by including a final though or two that ties back to your earlier points. Your conclusion should clearly articulate how the experiences discussed have impacted you, and if relevant, how they continue to influence you. Avoid introducing new ideas in this section; instead, focus on summarizing and reflecting on the content already presented.
ESSAY FORMAT REQUIREMENTS
Length. Your essay must be 1 – 2 pages in length. It must be a minimum of one full page.
Font. Your essay must be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font.
Margins. Your essay must have a 1-inch margin on the top, bottom, left, and right. This is the default margins setting for Microsoft Word.
Spacing. Your entire essay must be double-spaced, with no single spacing and no extra spacing anywhere.
Indentation. The first line of each paragraph needs to be indented. Press the “Tab” button once to get the correct indentation.
Page Number. Your essay must include a page number at the bottom right corner with ONLY the number. Use the “Insert Page Number” option. Do not type this information where the text of your essay should be.
Saved Document Title. When saving your document, please use the following format: First initial, last name, assignment title. Example: KVonnegut_RE01, KVonnegut_RE02, KVonnegut_RE03.
IMPORTANT
Do not include a cover page.
Do not include a title.
Do not put your name anywhere on the assignment.
Do not include a bibliography, works cited, or references page.
Start writing at the top of the first page.
Note: This assignment aims to encourage self-reflection and critical thinking about evolution. Approach the topic with an open mind and consider both scientific evidence and personal convictions in your reflection.