To establish a basic understanding of how reflection is discussed in textbook material, I sampled seventeen first-year composition textbooks published within the last ten years. I then collected any reference to reflective writing or metacognitive work. These references were divided into three main categories for further analysis.
Reflection Examples Any sample student writing that displayed metacognitive reflection practices directly associated with the course material. Definitions and Explanations Any explanatory information offered about reflective writing and metacognitive practice. May take the form of a direct definition or a more general description. Other Mentions of "reflection," "reflective writing," or "metacognition" that do not fit the above categories. These could be journals or narrative essays not directly associated with course material.