Metacognition: Writing Essays

When I begin to write an essay I usually start the process of by brainstorming a few directions that I would be able to take in order to make sense of the topic. Brainstorming allows me to get all my thoughts ready and it also enables me to be more organized in a sense that I won’t need to remember all my thoughts and feelings, rather than write them down. After the brainstorming "session" I usually tend to think of many ideas for my body paragraphs. When I think, I try to allow myself to be able to go in several directions at the same time. This helps me flow through the essay because I do not get stuck with just one thought; rather I am able to continuously have thoughts running thru my brain just in case there is a dead end in one particular direction. I feel that this method of thinking allows me to maximize my writing ability in that I don’t have a set direction as to where to go, instead I choose the direction when the time comes allowing me to focus more on the sentences that I write in the present state of mind. Aside from this, I also like to take some time to re-read what I wrote down in order to add onto my essay because at times, I feel like I skip some thoughts and by re-reading the essay I am able to add those thoughts into my essay. Although these methods have proven worthy for me, I do feel, however that some of these methods need changing. Well, not so much changing, instead revision. Since I don’t do an outline first, my thoughts take time to establish and put down on paper. I’m not going to lie, this section of the essay takes a GIGANTIC amount of time. Nonetheless, I'm usually able to complete this section fairly easily even though it does take a lot of time to think up of what directions to take in the essay. On the other hand, I really like the idea that I do not have to set my thoughts and directions in stone. I like the fact that my thoughts can be changed and if I do in fact change something it will not cause me to restart the whole paragraph or even worse the whole essay.