I think the method of self critiquing was helpful because I feel like I was given a guideline to follow. When I was writing my own draft, I didn’t feel like I knew how to set it up. I have been so used to the typical introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion format, but I didn’t feel like that fit with this essay. I just wrote it trying my best to follow that format. However, when I reviewed my draft, I was told that it should not be in that format, and I felt like it was a lot easier for me to come up with my own format for the essay. Color-coding the different sources was a simple way for me to see what source dominated in my essay, which was my personal experiences. After color-coding it became apparent to me that I would have to add way more references to Dweck and Bain in order to even it out.

The peer critique was effective for me as well. I was told in several areas where I could cite Dweck or Bain for summarizing their ideas. This gave me ideas of where exactly to include the information from sources that I had discovered I needed to include (during the self review). I was also told the places where I should elaborate more and draw more connections between the texts, and where everything sounded good. This allows me now to direct my focus on only the parts that are lacking, and to leave the parts that are good enough alone.