I-Search Essay Reflection Assignment

You will write a timed, in-class reflective essay in which you consider the experience of writing the I-Search essay. You may bring one page of handwritten notes to class on ___________ to help you prepare. The essay will be worth 20 writing points and be graded on the rubric attached. You will have 45 minutes to write. If you are absent on the day of the prompt, you may make up the essay in the re-assessment center by _________________.

Part I: Reflect on the learning. In one to two paragraphs, reflect on the following questions:

• Overall, what did you hope to learn?
• Were you successful in learning more or deepening your understanding? How so?
• What is the most interesting, important, or surprising thing you learned during your research?
• Ultimately, did your research confirm what you already thought, refute what you already thought, or a combination?

Part II: Reflect on your research. In one to two paragraphs, reflect on the sources and the process of finding them:

• Summarize the kind of information you found in each tier:
  • Tier 1 - Peer-reviewed research articles
  • Tier 2 - Credible non-academic sources
  • Tier 3 & 4 - News sources and popular magazine
• Briefly, how did your research go?
• What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
• Did you have to make any changes to your research questions based on your research? Explain.

Part III: Reflect on your process. In one to two paragraphs, reflect on your effort, engagement, and commitment to the process of Essay Three:

• Were you able to meet all deadlines for parts 1, 2, and 3?
• Did you use your class-time well?
• On a weekly basis, how much out-of-class time did you spend on this essay?
• Where did you struggle? Why?
• Did you take advantage of your teachers’ offers to help outside of class?