No idea what you’re actually meant to reflect on in your reflection statement? Need a good Module C reflection structure?
As a qualified HSC English teacher with 8+ years of experience, I know that a killer reflection can be the difference between a Band 4 and 6 in English Paper 2, so in this article I’ll help you you break down:
- A step-by-step structure to follow so writing feels automatic
- What word count you should be following
- How to tick every marking criteria box
- A FREE exemplar HSC Module C reflection statement with annotations
Keep scrolling to improve your confidence in one of the most overlooked areas of Module C!👇
What is a reflection statement?
When will I write reflections in Year 12?
How long is a Module C reflection statement?
The A.I.S.L.E paragraph structure
How to Write a Mod C Reflection Statement in 4 Steps
3 ways to boost your reflection marks
Exemplar HSC Module C Reflection Statement with Annotations
What is a reflection statement?
A reflection statement is a statement written by students, discussing their process for producing a particular assessment task.
A reflection statement isn’t a simple recap of what you did to complete the task, it’s a self-assessment of the choices you made, how and why you made them and how it all relates to your question and stimulus.
- Year 12 English Standard and Advanced students can be asked to write a reflection in the HSC English exam alongside a composition for Module C: The Craft of Writing.
- English Extension 1 students can be asked to write a reflection statement in the HSC English exam alongside a composition for the Common Module: Literary Worlds.
- English Extension 2 students are required to write a reflection for their major work.
Here’s sample marking criteria for the reflection from Module C: The Craft of Writing to give you an idea of what you should be aiming for:
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| ‣ Provides a considered justification of how the stylistic choices made in their composition demonstrate a key theme from the stimulus ‣ Provides relevant, detailed textual references to their composition ‣ Demonstrates skilful control of language | 7-8 |
| ‣ Provides a justification of how the stylistic choices made in their composition demonstrate a key theme from the stimulus ‣ Provides relevant textual references to their writing in their composition ‣ Demonstrates effective control of language | 5-6 |
| ‣ Provides an explanation of the stylistic choices made in crafting their composition ‣ Provides some textual references to their composition ‣ Demonstrates variable control of language | 3-4 |
| ‣ Provides some relevant information about their composition | 1-2 |
When will I write reflections in Year 12?
In Year 12, you will often need to write out a Module C reflection structure alongside your creative, discursive or persuasive piece. Check out Part B of this question from NESA’s sample exam:
How long is a Module C reflection statement?
A reflection typically accounts for 50-60% of the marks awarded for a composition. Following this logic, its length should be approximately 50-60% of the composition’s word count to make sure it’s detailed enough for the marks it’s worth.
- For English Standard or Advanced, reflections will generally be between 400 and 600 words.
- For English Extension 1, reflections will generally be between 600 and 800 words.
The hand-in reflection statement for English Extension 2 has a fixed length of 1500 words.
The A.I.S.L.E Paragraph Structure
➡️ Aim
What was your purpose in writing this piece? What emotions or ideas did you want to convey? Establish some connection to structural or language features here.
E.g. My aim was to challenge patriarchal gender roles by creating a female protagonist who subverts traditional feminine stereotypes of passivity, purity and emotional vulnerability.
➡️ Influence
Establish how exactly your mentor text influenced your writing.
E.g. My creative exploration of gender was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s use of the speculative fiction genre in The Handmaid’s Tale where she constructs the dystopian society of Gilead as a reflection of the real-world relationship between patriarchal power structures and restrictive gender roles.
➡️ Structure
How did you structure your piece and why? Did you use a linear or fragmented narrative, multiple character perspectives, vignettes etc.?
E.g. I used a non-linear structure with vignettes that contrasted my protagonist’s past and present experiences to represent how trauma shapes identity over time.
*If you prefer, you can dedicate a paragraph to either structural features or language techniques instead of combining them. Just be sure to include at least one of each in your reflection to justify your creative choices.
➡️ Language
What specific techniques did you use (e.g. symbolism, motif, personification) to create meaning? Provide a direct quote from your text which shows your use of a technique and analyse your intent behind it.
E.g. In this line, I used personification to represent how the protagonist feels so isolated that they are projecting their desire for intimacy and belonging onto their environment.
➡️ Evaluation
Link the analysis of your structural feature or language technique to the overarching purpose you mentioned in your topic sentence.
E.g. Thus, I explore the psychological impact of alienation by highlighting how the protagonist’s distorted view of their environment mirrors their inner turmoil and reinforces their inability to form meaningful relationships.
How to Write a Mod C Reflection Statement in 4 Steps
Step 1: How to Get Started
Before writing, brainstorm your key ideas using a mind map or bullet points. Focus on:
- The purpose of your piece (What themes or messages were you exploring?)
- How the stimulus influenced your writing (Was it an unseen extract/image?)
- Your structural and language choices (What techniques did you use and why?)
- The effect of these choices (How do they shape meaning for the reader?)
Example Mind Map:
- Purpose: Explore the psychological impact of isolation
- Stimulus Influence: An image of a deserted street evoked themes of loneliness
- Structure: Non-linear structure, use of vignettes
- Language: Symbolism, personification
- Evaluation: Highlights emotional disconnection
Step 2: Write Your Introduction
Sentence 1: Answer the question directly and state the purpose of your piece.
Sentence 2: Explain how the stimulus influenced your writing.Sample Question: How does your writing piece use characters to depict a key theme derived from the stimulus? Answer with reference to your Module C prescribed text.
Example: “My piece explores the psychological effects of isolation by depicting a protagonist who gradually loses the ability to distinguish between memory and the present, highlighting the way solitude fosters both introspection and emotional disconnection. The stimulus, an image of an empty street, influenced my setting and mood, inspiring a protagonist who experiences reality as fragmented and surreal.”
Step 3: Body Paragraphs (AISLE)
- Start with a clear topic sentence (Aim): Introduce what you will be reflecting on in this paragraph (usually the question will specify themes, language choices or both). This should be linked to the purpose you expressed in your thesis.
- Reference your Module C prescribed text (Influence): Include a quote or discuss a structural/genre element used by the author, then explain how it inspired your own work.
- Explain your structural choices (Structure): Identify how you shaped your narrative (e.g. nonlinear structure, dual perspectives) and why.
- Analyse a language technique (Language): Provide a short example from your piece (e.g. symbolism, motif, imagery) and explain how it enhances meaning.
- Conclude by linking back to your purpose (Evaluation): Reinforce how your choices contribute to the overall theme.
Step 4: Write Your Conclusion
Restate your thesis in one clear statement that links back to the question.
Example: “Through fragmented structure and personification, my piece explores the disorienting effects of isolation, showing how prolonged loneliness distorts both memory and reality.”
3 Ways to Boost your Reflection Marks
1️⃣ Connect to your mentor text.
When talking about drawing inspiration from your mentor text, don’t say something vague to the effect of “we both use metaphors.”
Choose a specific quote from your mentor text and briefly analyse it e.g. “The author uses the weather to symbolically reflect the protagonist’s emotions.”
Then draw a clear connection to your work in the next sentence: “Similarly, I used the changing seasons to symbolise…” Note that you don’t need to include a quote from your mentor text if you’re talking about broader concepts such as genre or structure which you can’t distill into a single quote.
2️⃣ Focus on the “why” behind your choices.
Don’t just describe what you did, explain why you made those decisions. For example, instead of saying “I used first-person narration,” say “By using fragmentation in my structure, I highlight the protagonist’s fractured sense of self, exploring the disorienting nature of an identity crisis.”
This shows you’re thinking critically about your creative process and making intentional choices that contribute to the overarching purpose of your work.
3️⃣ Have a clear aim behind your writing.
Be specific about the aim of your piece in your opening sentence. ‘The Craft of Writing’ is all about how the writing choices you make shape a specific meaning. Describing your intention in a simplistic way such as “I wanted to write a sad story” will make your composition seem superficial and directionless.
Bring up the main theme or concept you explored and the deeper meaning you were trying to invoke e.g. “My aim was to explore the complexities of grief and its long-lasting impact on personal identity, focusing on how the protagonist’s internal struggles shape their relationships and sense of self.”
Exemplar HSC Module C Reflection Statement with Annotations
To help you understand this better, we’ve written out a comprehensive reflection essay structure for you to use in your studies below!!
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Genevieve D’Netto is a qualified English and History teacher who has successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (secondary), majoring in English and History at the University of Sydney, graduating with first class honours in 2021. Gen has just completed a Master of Education majoring in Literacy Education at the University of Melbourne. She graduated with ATAR of 97.30, placing her in the top 2.7% of the state! She received the Premier’s Award for All-round Excellence in the Higher School Certificate.
Christina Ugov is currently completing a double degree in International and Global Studies and Theatre and Performance at the University of Sydney. Outside of her studies, she enjoys exploring creative writing projects, analysing literature and playing with her cat. She spends her spare time reading, listening to music and drinking lots of tea.
