Entry #11: Metacognitive Analysis

We are almost finishing the year, and it is a very good idea to see how my writings had improved or, in the least of the cases, how they have become worsen. In order to do this, it is important to consider the different features that we have been learning throughout the year that had helped me improve. And at the same time, those features which are still flaccid and need my improvement. 

One of the things that I have learnt, and mainly incorporated, this year is the importance of planning all my writing pieces beforehand. Every time I was requested to write something, I used to write the first thing that came to my mind. However, since we learnt the relevance of the five steps in writing (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing), I began to pre-plan my writing, then to write and, before sharing or handing the final draft, I revise and edit it. In this way, my writings became more cleared and organized; since following an order makes the writing more understandable for the reader than writing as the ideas spring.

Another important thing I have adopted in my writing process is the use of different paragraphs according to what I aspire to express. For instance, if I have to compare and/or contrast two or more novels, now, I am able to do it in a better way, as we have learnt how to organize a contrastive paragraph. In this way, when I had to write a comparison essay between the novels “Eaters of the dead” and “Beowulf” for Language and Culture, I was able to fulfil the task, since I implemented this new knowledge.

However, there are some things that I still have to improve. For instance, my topic sentences are too weak. In consequence, I have to pay more attention to them while writing. One way of doing this, is always keeping in mind the main topic of my essay, so the topic sentence has coherence with the whole writing piece. Another way, is paraphrasing it in a way that it is not a simple sentence, but a more complex one. Yet, another problem is the weakness of my paragraphs as well. This can be solved by providing more supporting sentences and not just one as I had done. Either topic sentence or paragraph weakness, I still have to work hard in my writing pieces in order to pass the subject, but mainly to improve myself as a writer.

In all, there are various things that I have learnt and acquired during my writing process that had helped me improve. However, there are still some features that need my improvement, such as the case of topic sentences and the amount of supporting material included in each paragraph. Nevertheless, and even though it is not easy, I consider that I am able to progress in this features.

Vocabulary

• Aspire: (vb intransitive) usually followed by to or after: to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something): to aspire to be a great leader

• Beforehand: (adj , adv) early; in advance; in anticipation
• Flaccid: (adj) lacking firmness

• Fulfil: (vb transitive) to carry out or execute (a request, etc)

• Implement: (vb transitive) to carry out; put into action; perform: to implement a plan        

• Request: (vb transitive) to express a desire for, esp politely; ask for or demand: to request a bottle of wine
• Spring: (verb) to move or cause to move suddenly upwards or forwards in a single motion

Graphic Organizer:

Source:

Word Reference. http://www.wordreference.com/. Web. 14 Sept. 2013