Prose Modeling and Metacognition: The Effect of Modeling on Developing a Metacognitive Stance toward Writing

Modeling of exemplary samples of prose has been a commonly used method of teaching composition skills. But little research has been done on the effectiveness of using prose modeling in the composition classroom, and even instructors who use prose modeling in their instruction often question its value. This study examines the differences in response between expert and novice writers who were asked to write essays in an unfamiliar prose form after having been given different sets of instructions, some of which included a model of the unfamiliar prose form. The results of the study indicate that novice writers who are given a model of an unfamiliar prose form to imitate respond in a manner which is more introspective and evaluative and far more similar to the responses of expert writers than do novice writers who are not given a model.