If you’ve been told to write a DIEP reflection and have no idea what it’s actually supposed to look like, you’re not alone.
This is a real example of a DIEP reflection I wrote for psychology, with annotations to show how each section works.
What is a DIEP reflection?
- Describe → what happened
- Interpret → what it means
- Evaluate → what worked / didn’t and link to theories
- Plan → what you’ll do next, creating measurable goals
Download the PDF version
Highlighted sections show key parts of a strong DIEP reflection. Annotations explain why.
Week 10 Reflection – Presentation
Describe
This week I presented my speech for my group assignment on flexible working arrangements. This is a clear, factual description of the task. In DIEP, Describe should explain what happened without analysing. I oversaw the section comparing the differences between my groups’ articles. We also had the opportunity to listen to our peers’ presentations and ask questions. This adds context to the learning environment, showing what the tutorial involved beyond just the presentation. I knew that this assignment would be challenging for me and prior to this week, I felt a lot of anxiety. However, this experience ended up being very beneficial and allowed me to practice my self-compassion and mindfulness skills.
Interpret
Public speaking has always triggered my social anxiety and fear of public speaking, particularly through somatic symptoms such as dissociation. This moves beyond description into interpretation by linking the experience to psychological patterns. Before giving my speech, my anxiety levels felt manageable, as I had the tools to combat my negative thinking and manage my emotions on a cognitive level. However, while giving my speech I realised that due to my gap year I hadn’t engaged in exposure to public speaking in a very long time. This identifies a cause (lack of exposure), showing deeper understanding of how anxiety is maintained. Thus, I immediately felt my body react, even though my thoughts were positive. Strong insight showing the difference between cognitive control and physiological response. I noticed a strong rush of adrenaline and I could feel myself shaking. I also felt my vision tunnel and I began to feel disconnected from my body. Detailed sensory reflection — strong DIEP writing includes lived experience. I felt like I was hearing my voice come from somewhere else, while I was listening underwater. I was thankful to have palm cards as I could feel my mind blanking, and I focused on looking at my tutor to ground myself. It is difficult to reflect in detail on the rest of the experience as I typically don’t remember anything after the event. Afterward, I had a light headache and felt fatigue.
Evaluate
This assignment was both very challenging and rewarding. This introduces evaluation by judging the experience rather than just describing it. Facing my fears of public speaking pushed me back into an uncomfortable environment where I felt out of control. It was also challenging to remain compassionate to myself and to engage in positive self-talk. However, although my body was still pushed into a heightened state of distress, I was encouraged to see how the tools and growth I had undergone in therapy helped me to manage my thoughts before and after the speech. Strong evaluation because it balances both difficulty and progress. Although I initially felt myself being critical, I quickly felt a sense of achievement and relief. I was able to look at the situation objectively and engaged in self-care activities such as treating myself to hot chips. I knew that it would get easier moving forward, and I reminded myself that although I wasn’t actively as affected by my social anxiety daily, speeches would still be difficult. I also felt closer to my peers as they encouraged me afterward. Adds a social dimension to the evaluation.
Plan
In future presentations, I would like to try breathing exercises before beginning any speeches. This is a clear and practical plan for improvement. I would take a moment to notice my environment and to slow my heartrate. I could also try gentle physical grounding exercises like squeezing my wrist or fingertips. Adds specific, actionable strategies. However, I will mainly try to continue to remain kind to myself and focus on trying my best.
