Proefke 1

Matthew Proefke
Mrs. Eaton
9 Honors Literature and Composition II
12 June 2016\
Semester Metacognitive Reflection
1. In comparison to the start of the semester, please describe your current progress as an
analytical writer by looking at your Langston Hughes essay to a later piece. Do you feel
you have grown and if so, how have you progressed more from last semester? Explain in
detail.
I have grown tremendously as an analytical writer since the Langston Hughes
essay at the beginning of the semester. I have become more sophisticated with my
writing by trying to add more embedded transitions, more logical flow and organization,
as well as more personal voice. I have better learned how to plan out for the writing
process, and how to plan for working under the constraints of time. I also got better at
proofreading and editing without the help of a peer editor. I have also grown to enjoy
more analytical writing since last semester, despite how stressful it is.
2. In which areas of analytical writing have you been challenged? Why? What made these
areas difficult?
I have been challenged in pulling quotes from text and applying them effectively
to my arguments. This was difficult for me because I sometimes got overly worried
about finding the perfect quote and aligning it perfectly to my writing, even though it
may not have fit there. I also sometimes struggled with the explanations of quotes
because those are what explain to the reader how they fit into your side, and I could not
always convince readers that the quotes I pulled were significant to my points.
3. What are some areas that you feel you still need to focus/work on next year?
For next year, I definitely need to work on writing under time constraints. In both
of my in-class essays I barely finished with enough time. In fact, I went over the time
limit for one of them. I also need to work on using correct parallel grammar and
punctuation within my writing, or else it looks shoddy and unprofessional. I could
potentially want to work on peer editing and proofreading effectively as well.
4. What do you think you have "mastered", or progressed in?
I have definitely progressed in adding more voice to my writing, and proving my
arguments by adding evidence from text. I effectively pulled quotes from text and
succinctly applied it to my writing, strengthening my writing by showing that my
argument can be shown by the actual text. I also was able to gradually add more of my

Proefke 2
personal voice to my writing to give my pieces more meaning and to make them more
convincing.
5. Which assignment are you particularly proud of and why?
I am particularly proud of my independent novel in-class essay because I got a
perfect score on it and I was able to implement embedded transitions as well as make
some good distinctions. I fully explained all of my points effectively without including
too much information or irrelevant information. I did all of this under time constraints,
and still managed to finish as well.
6. Which assignment are you particularly not proud of and why?
I am particularly not proud of my Langston Hughes essay because it seems like a
lower level writing than some of my writing pieces from first semester. Many of the
ideas in it were disjointed, and were irrelevant to my argument. I also did not finish
within the time allotted; I went over by about five minutes.
7. Respectfully discuss Mrs. Eaton's strengths in teaching writing.
I really like the way Mrs. Eaton teaches writing. She gives examples, explains
everything she wants thoroughly, and always takes the time to write feedback on areas to
improve in on our writing. I think she moves at a perfect rate through concepts in order
to get through everything, and I think her visuals are perfect for displaying how the
writing relates back to itself (loops). I love her enthusiasm, and her optimism for all of
her students to improve at writing. Great job Mrs. Eaton! I will miss you next year!
8. Respectfully discuss ways Mrs. Eaton could improve her teaching of writing.
I am honestly at a loss. She does a great job teaching writing, and everything
else! The only thing I wish we did a little more of is creative/free writing.
9. Discuss any lasting comments you may have about your journey as a writer, your
frustrations and triumphs, your writing progress in this class as a whole, your hope for
future teachers that pertains to writing, or any other feedback you may have about writing
in general.
I have come so far since the beginning of this school year and the beginning of the
semester. I have grown to improve my writing, and my enjoyment of writing. I like my
writing so much more now than I did, partially thanks to Mrs. Eaton! I hope I will have
as great of teachers as she was next year and years to come after that. My writing has
gone to a whole new level thanks to her lessons. I really will miss her next year.