You know what happened. Maybe your group project did not go well, your placement was harder than you expected, or something went wrong at work.
Now you have to write about it. And suddenly, you are stuck.
How much should you explain? Do you talk about your feelings? Bring in theory? And what are Gibbs, Kolb and Driscoll actually asking you to do?
You are not just writing down what happened. You are looking back at the situation, thinking about your actions and what you would do differently next time.
That is what reflection is about.
Let’s look at how to write a reflective report using Gibbs, Kolb and Driscoll.
What Is a Reflective Report?
A reflective report examines an experience and considers what it taught you.
For example, your group may have missed a deadline because nobody knew who was doing what. You could simply explain what happened. That is description.
A stronger reflection asks why the group struggled, how you responded, what you could have done differently and what you would do if the same thing happened again.
Your experience is the starting point. Your learning is the point of the report.
A useful way to think about it is:
Experience → Reflection → Analysis → Learning → Future action
Gibbs, Kolb or Driscoll: Which Reflective Cycle Should You Use?
The three models can look confusing at first. They are actually asking you to do something quite similar: look at an experience, understand it and use that understanding to improve future practice.
Gibbs Reflective Cycle
Gibbs gives you six stages:
- Description – What happened?
- Feelings – What were you thinking and feeling?
- Evaluation – What went well or badly?
- Analysis – Why did it happen?
- Conclusion – What have you learned?
- Action Plan – What would you do differently?
Use it when you need to go deeper into an experience. The analysis stage matters most here. This is where you can use theory or research to look at what happened in more depth, instead of only describing it.
Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle
Kolb takes a slightly different route:
- Concrete Experience
- Reflective Observation
- Abstract Conceptualisation
- Active Experimentation
The cycle is closely linked to learning from experience.
You do something. You think about what happened. You work out what it means. Then you consider how you will use that learning in another situation.
This can be useful for a placement reflection where you need to show how one experience changed the way you approach your work.
Driscoll’s Reflective Model
Driscoll is much shorter. It is built around three questions:
What? What happened?
So what? Why does it matter? What did you learn?
Now what? What will you do differently?
That simplicity can be useful when you need to keep your reflection focused. The University of Edinburgh describes it as one of the simplest reflection frameworks, while also showing how the “So what?” stage can bring in theories and knowledge to make sense of the experience.
So, which should you choose?
If your brief names a model, stick with it. If you can choose, think about what your assignment asks you to do.
Gibbs gives you more stages to work through. Kolb puts more focus on learning from experience. Driscoll keeps things simple with three main questions.
How to Structure Your Reflective Report
Do not give every section the same amount of space. Your reflection should take up most of the report.
A useful starting point is:
- Introduction: 5–10%
- Main body: 70–80%
- Conclusion: 5–10%
- Future action: 5–10%
The numbers can change. Your assignment brief comes first. A report writing service UK can help if you are unsure about the structure.
What goes in the main reflection?
This is where you really get into the experience.
Briefly explain what happened, then focus on your response. What were you thinking? What went well? What did not?
Bring in theory, research or feedback when it helps you understand the situation better. Do not add it just to increase your word count.
Keep the conclusion separate
Your conclusion is about what the experience taught you.
Do not simply repeat the Gibbs “Conclusion” stage if you are using Gibbs. Step back and bring together the main learning from your reflection.
Future Action
Keep it practical. Instead of “I will improve my teamwork”, say what you will actually do differently next time.
How to Use Research and Tools in Reflective Writing
You may think, “It happened to me, so why do I need research?”
You need it when you use theory or want to support a point about what happened.
A few tools can help:
- Google Scholar: Find journal articles and books.
- University library: Access academic databases and research.
- Zotero or Mendeley: Save and organise your references.
- Referencing guide: Check how to cite your sources correctly.
Do not use a source just to add another reference. Ask yourself: Does it help explain what happened?
If you are reflecting on a conflict in a group, research on teamwork or conflict management may help. If you are discussing a placement experience, professional guidance or research from your field may give you something useful to compare your actions with.
That is a much better use of research than adding random citations at the end of paragraphs.
How to Make Your Reflection More Critical
Ask yourself one uncomfortable but useful question:
“So what?”
You felt nervous during a presentation. So what caused that feeling?
Your group missed a deadline. So what contributed to it?
You handled a workplace task badly. So what would you change now?
That extra question takes your writing beyond description.
You can also ask yourself:
- What else could I have done?
- Was my first assumption right?
- What does the research say?
Your experience is personal, but your reflection still needs some real thinking behind it.
Struggling With Your Reflective Report?
Sometimes you know exactly what happened, but the problem is turning that experience into a report that actually fits Gibbs, Kolb or Driscoll.
At Elite Assignments, we can help you work from your university brief, organise your reflection around the required model and strengthen the academic side of your work.
We also support students with essay writing, dissertation help, CIPD, ILM, NEBOSH assignments and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use “I” in a reflective report?
Yes. You are writing about your own experience, so using “I” is usually fine. Just make sure you explain your thoughts and actions instead of repeating “I think” throughout the report.
2. Which reflective model is best for a reflective report?
There is no single best model. Follow your assignment brief. Gibbs gives you six detailed stages, Kolb focuses on learning from experience, while Driscoll uses the simpler “What? So what? Now what?” approach.
3. How much description should a reflective report include?
Give enough detail to explain what happened. Then move on. Most of your words should go towards your thoughts, analysis and learning.
4. How do I start a reflective report?
Start with the experience you are reflecting on. Briefly say why it matters and name the model you are using. Then move into your reflection.
5. What is the difference between a reflective report and a reflective essay?
A reflective report usually has clearer sections and may follow a reflective model more directly. A reflective essay can use continuous academic prose to explore the experience. Your university brief should always determine the required format.