Soon after a project or piece of writing is finished, you are in a particularly good position to reflect on what you have learned. Ask questions like these as a guide to the process of reflection:
What did you intend to do in this project or piece of writing? How well did you carry out your intentions? What major lessons have you learned from this writing?
What problems did you encounter in the project or piece of writing? What were your strategies for solving these problems, and how helpful were they?
What patterns do you see in your writing? What particular strengths do you notice—
Identify a favorite passage in your writing, and then reflect on what you like about it. Can you apply what you learn from this analysis to other pieces of writing?
Do you note recurring problem areas in your writing? What do those patterns suggest about how you can build on your strengths and address your weaknesses?
What specific elements of your writing can you improve, and how can you best go about doing so?
What major questions do you still have about this project or piece of writing? How can you answer them?
How has writing helped you clarify your thinking, extend your knowledge, or deepen your understanding?
What goals do you still have for yourself as a writer?
Student Writing: Reflective blog post (Thanh Nguyen)
Student Writing: Reflective portfolio cover letter (James Kung)