A changed view needs three parts: what you thought before, what evidence you met, and what you think now. When the evidence is named and the change is described accurately, the reflection is convincing. It builds on the difference you learned in description versus reflection.
What does the three-part pattern look like?
- Before: state your earlier view in one sentence.
- Evidence: name the specific source or finding that affected you, and say what it showed.
- After: state your new view, including how far it moved.
Also say why this evidence mattered to you. A strong report from a reliable source is different from a single comment on a website, and your reasoning about that is part of the reflection. See sources and credibility for how to weigh them.
Worked example (all sources invented)
A student researched whether cities should ban cars from central streets. The sources below are invented for practice.
- Source A (invented): a council report saying air pollution fell in one pedestrian zone.
- Source B (invented): a shopkeepers’ association survey saying sales dropped in the same zone.
Before: “I thought banning cars would clearly benefit everyone.”
Evidence: “Source A reported lower air pollution, which supported my view. Source B surveyed shopkeepers and found falling sales. It was written by a group with a direct interest, so I treated it as one viewpoint, not as proof of the whole picture.”
After: “I still think a ban can improve air quality, but I now see it affects people differently. I would want sales data from an independent source before saying it benefits everyone.”
Notice what the student did. Facts (pollution fell, sales fell) are kept apart from each source’s viewpoint, and the final position is more careful than the first, not opposite to it.
What is a common mistake?
A typical weak sentence: “After doing the research my view completely changed because I learned a lot.”
It fails because it names no evidence, does not say what the old view was, and gives no reason. The correction is to fill the three parts: “I used to think X. Source A showed Y. Now I think Z, with this limit.”
Self-check
1. Which part is missing? “I used to think recycling solves waste. Now I think it is not enough.”
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The evidence. The sentence does not say what made the change. Add a named source or finding and say what it showed.2. A student writes “The survey proved I was wrong.” What is a more careful way to say it?
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For example: "The survey gave evidence that went against my view, though it covered only one school, so I am now less certain." Evidence rarely proves; it supports or challenges.3. Your evidence did not change your view. Write one honest sentence.
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Possible answer: "Source A matched what I already thought, but it made my view more specific, because it showed the effect applied only in cities with good public transport."Where does this lead next?
Once you can show what changed, the next step is to identify one justified improvement to a research process. A teacher on our Global Perspectives tuition can discuss your examples while the reflection stays your own work.