Metacognition is “cognition about cognition,” “thinking about thinking,” “knowing about knowing,” becoming “aware of one’s awareness” and higher-order thinking skills. The term comes from the root word meta, meaning “beyond,” or “on top of.” Metacognition can take many forms; it includes knowledge about when and how to use particular strategies for learning or problem-solving.
We build metacognition when we step back and critically analyze our experience of something. In this case, we will critically reflect on your reading process of Fire in Paradise, focusing on your skills and strengths as a reader.
A meta-cognitive reader will recognize particular elements in a text as part of the reading process. A strong reader will recognize the following:
The structure of the argument
The unfamiliar (to you, the reader)
The text and author’s rhetorical context (A rhetorical context is the “situation” that surrounds your act of writing, the audience that you are trying to persuade or engage)
Opportunities to “converse” with the author
The “cultural literacy” assumed by the text’s author
The relevant vocabulary
Complex syntax
The discourse communities reflected in the text and its relationship to you, the reader
Thinking over what you have read in Fire in Paradise, identify any passages that reflect your strengths as a reader. Identify and explain any passages in the text that reflect the following:
A structure of the argument that you recognized
Something unfamiliar that you assimilated
A rhetorical context you identified (the audience or purpose for reading and/or writing)
A moment when you found yourself “in conversation” with the author
A “cultural” reference that you recognized
Vocabulary that you knew and which is relevant to consider further
Complex syntax that you were able to “unpack”
A discourse community you see in this text
Directions: Write 1-2 full paragraphs discussing your strengths in terms of specific items from the list above, and discuss specific scenes or quotes in the book that demonstrated these strengths. Cite at least two direct quotes from FIP to support your ideas. Be sure to refer to a few of the items from the list above in your response.
Finally, identify any areas in which you may be struggling as a reader. Can you think of a strategy that could help you to address any challenges you are having?