Reflective Writing Analyzing and Understanding Reflective Writing

Overview of Reflective Writing  The reflective piece is written to an audience who cares about or is interested in your growth as a writer.  The purpose of the piece so YOU to inform the interested audience how you have grown as a writer—not just the pieces you’ve written or the skills learned, but how did that happen ?

Reflective Writing  What influences made a difference that caused change?  How did you learn to BE a writer and think like a writer?  How did that growth change you (the writer)?  Every reflective piece will be unique because each person’s growth as a writer is unique.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For  Don’t focus on growth in other subjects. It should be just about your WRITING!  Don’t jump from one idea to another without explaining.  Don’t make the reflective piece predictable, where one paragraph is just like the next.  Be sure to mention how the influences in other areas of literacy helped your growth as a writer (reading, listening, speaking, etc.).  Make sure you explain HOW you’ve grown as a writer.

Characteristics of Reflective Writing

zunder in my cloud poem on accident but it was really cool so I kept it. Dr.Suess also made me write more by saying invented words besides he's the king of invented words and of his imagination That's how Dr. Seuss helped me write more. Love That Dog helped me write saying strong images like when it said I ran but it was to late and the dog had died. That made me feel sad. Like when I said flowers grow when ever I cry why why why. So with all these steps from Dr.Suess, Eloise Greenfield, and Love that dog helped me grow as a writer. Sincerely,

Characteristics of Reflective Writing  What are the different ways or ideas the writer reflects upon? Ex. Learning experiences, skills, processes, etc.  What is the main idea of each paragraph?  How did the writers develop the main ideas with some specific details?  How well is the piece organized?  Is there a lead?  A conclusion?  Any Transitions?  Do the paragraphs contain more than one main idea and supporting details?

Identifying More Influences In Growth as a Writer  Let’s read Reflective Piece.  Identify the different influences in growth (learning experiences, skills, processes, etc.)  What are the main ideas of each paragraph?  How is this writer’s ideas uniquely differ from the previous Reflective Letter we read?  Why?

Identifying More Influences In Growth as a Writer  Which paragraph does the writer support the main idea with specific details.  Identify the paragraph that is LESS developed? 3rd paragraph.  Work with a partner and add more details to the 3 rd paragraph.  Be prepared to share.

Supporting Ideas With Details: Don’t Make a Statement Run Away  Let’s read “Dear Fourth Grade Teacher” dated, May  What are the three main ideas?  The writer makes a statement and “runs away” without details that explain what he/she means. NONE of the paragraphs are developed with specific details!!!  The author could have gave specific examples by discussing: “ which book helped the writer grow ” & “ which new words the writer use in their writing.”

Supporting Ideas With Details: Don’t Make a Statement Run Away  Let’s look at paragraphs two & three.  What might the writer say to develop these ideas with details? Such as: What specific words mom helped sound out? Explain how that relates to growth as a writer? Explain HOW reading a cook book and cooking “stuff” helped their growth as a writer?  What else?

What’s Wrong With This Picture?  Let’s read “Dear Reviewer” (handwritten – May 1, 2007).  What ways did the writer “reflect”? Mostly by skills. Ex. The 5 th paragraph discusses mystery books.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?  What other characteristics under “Content” does this writer have?  For statement #2, there is a connection to reading paragraph 5.  For statement #3, the writer does support the main ideas with examples.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?  This piece is “pretty good” but it’s predictable and kind of boring.  Why do some paragraphs sound “cookie cutter-ish”?  Compare the format and words of the paragraphs in the middle of the piece. What’s the difference?  What would make this piece stronger? What are other ways to reflect on growth? It doesn’t just have to be “things I learned to do.”

Reflective Letter  So now it’s time for you to write a letter for your middle school portfolio. ( Dear Reviewer, )  Don’t forget to answer these questions: What influences made a difference that caused change? How did you learn to BE a writer and think like a writer? How did that growth change you (the writer)?  Remember: “Every reflective piece will be unique because each person’s growth as a writer is unique.”