Metacognitive/ reflective writing refers to being aware of your thoughts and understanding what helps and hinders learning and how to become a more effective learner. It’s like digging deep into your choices and diving further into why you chose what you did. 

I have always reflected on my writing pieces, it has helped me understand my writing strengths and weaknesses. I don’t think a piece is complete without the reflection part that in hindsight can help in future projects. I feel that is what makes you a better writer in the process. As Anne Lamott puts it in “Shitty First Drafts”, “let go and write those “shitty first drafts” that lead to clarity and sometimes brilliance in our second and third drafts.”. Multiple drafts have always helped me reflect on my writing as every draft I write I get closer to perfecting my work. I start to understand my weaknesses and strengths by looking back at the drafts. Though, sometimes it feels as if even the final paper needs revision but I understand that is for the next writing piece to show I have improved.

My writing process starts with putting questions for each of my paragraphs. This has really helped me in writing the Unit 1 Essay. For example, My Body 1 paragraph I would write something like “ Why is this word important to you and your community?”. Then I would follow that up in the paragraph. This helps me stay on track with what message I am trying to get across, instead of being all over the place. I also like to make clear what my perspectives are and connect my experiences with what I know.