Tips for Writing the CSEC English SBA Reflection

Here are a list of tips you can use when writing the English SBA reflection:

1. Divide the reflection into three sections based on the reflection guidelines (HERE).

2. Allow the students to write the reflection one paragraph/entry at a time in class.

3. After students have written each paragraph allow them to peer edit their reflection in their SBA group. You can create a rubric to guide the process.

4. Allow students to write multiple drafts of the reflection in their SBA notebook before they publish their final draft.

5. Do not give students a set structure for the reflection. Instead, highlight the areas that should be covered in the reflection and allow students to formulate how they want to word the reflection for themselves.

6. Write a sample reflection with your class.

7. The reflection MUST be written in class.

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A Breakdown of the English A & B SBA Reflection.

There has been some debate as to whether there should be three separate reflections on each artefact or three entries integrating the analysis of all three artefacts. I hope this breakdown will adequately answer these questions.

Three essays are NOT required for the reflection. But the candidate must produce three reflections  on the three aspects indicated on page 39 of the syllabus.

1.       What should  the English SBA Reflection entail?

Writing the three ‘Reflection’ entries means that the student working individually:

(a)                chooses three pieces of material related to the theme, one of which must be print;

(b)                creates a first entry in which they record how each of the three stimuli affected their understanding of and reaction to the theme;

(c)                 creates a second entry which comments on the language techniques used, for example, figurative language, emotional language, descriptive language, denotative and connotative language, levels of formality, use of dialect, jargon; and,

(d)                creates a third entry which comments on how the process of doing the English SBA on the selected theme has helped you to grow. For example, increased understanding, competence, awareness, changes in behaviour, attitude, and world view.

This last entry of the reflection should be delayed until close to the completion of the SBA.
             
 2.               What is meant by ‘discuss the use of language’ in the reflection for the English SBA?

When students discuss the use of language found in their selected stimuli (pieces of material) they will comment on the techniques (word choice, figurative language) used by the writer to communicate his/her message.  The discussion should include:

(a)                identification of techniques; and,

(b)                comments on how these techniques helped/hindered the delivery of the message (information).

Sample English SBA A and B Reflection

This sample reflect was created by teachers of the Rusea's High School after an English SBA workshop I conducted. The teachers watched the above video and pretended that they were writing a reflection based on the Effects of scamming on Individuals. Please note that this sample is based only on one artefact.


While watching the video on ‘The Effects of Scamming on Victims,’ I was overwhelmed by different emotions. The video portrayed the family of a victim who was expressing how scamming led their family member to suicide. Initially, I felt extremely ashamed because Jamaica is my country and is branded as ‘scamming capital.’ It is quite disturbing to see these happenings in my country. I was also empathetic towards the victims as they suffered a great loss. Vulnerable and older people seem to be the target, as the video showed. The video also showed the despair of both the families and the victims who are often left with nothing. This video has inspired me to speak against scamming as it is wrong and can cause serious physical and psychological damages to the victims and their families who are often left to pick up the pieces. This video reminded me of the infamous Cash Plus scandal which affected hundreds of Jamaicans in a negative way.

The writer’s use of Language Techniques has helped me to greater analyse the piece thus drawing conclusions as well. The use of formal language by the reporter and the Lottery Scamming Task Force Police was easily understandable by the researcher. The use of the term “Lottery Scamming” and providing a simple definition was quite effective in allowing anyone without prior knowledge of the phenomena to understand what it is. In addition, I could identify with victims who were interviewed as they utilized simple structured sentences that appealed to the researcher’s emotion causing her to be sympathetic towards victims and angry towards the ‘Scammers’. This video has helped me to really understand how the victims are negatively affected by this gruesome act and feel the exact emotions they feel through the tone of despair, disappointment and sadness utilized in the video.


The sub-theme ‘How Scamming Affects the Victims’ has reshaped my thoughts and intentions about attractive activity of scamming. Having witnessed through the video how scamming has resulted in a victim taking his own life because he realized that he was scammed out of his life’s earnings, has truly touched me. As a result, I would want anyone to feel so victimized that they commit suicide. As a result, I would discourage persons around her who scam. On the other hand, even though I am compelled I may not report to the authorities any incidents of scamming as they cannot be trusted. In order not to lose her life, I will only speak to family members and friends she is close to about discontinuing such activity.


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