In writing classes of all types, one of my favorite strategies to teach is the writer's own use of reflective questions to interrogate their work. Often used in group workshop situations, the technique, when done properly, helps writers drill down into their own craft process from a one-step-removed standpoint.
Reflective questions are thoughtful questions that look at a piece of writing to consider why the writer made the choices they made and, in so doing, determine if they are good choices. I.e., do they work?
Here are two examples:
What structure does this follow, and why? How does the organization enhance or hinder engagement? What resonates the most, and why? The least, and why? Be specific.
Describe the pacing. How does it contribute to maintaining reader focus and interest? Are there places where the pacing feels too brisk or too sluggish? What specific adjustments could be made?
Reflective questioning first puts you consciously in your mind as a writer. What did you do? Why? What were you trying to do? What were your intentions?
Then, the questions pull you out so you can look critically at your writing as a reader. What effects do the creative choices cause? Considering the intention, do they work? If so, why? If not, why? How can you best replicate (or fix) the outcome for a better reader experience?
A close cousin of Socratic questioning—drilling down into issues of clarity, assumptions, logic, perspectives, and consequences—reflective questions are, lemme tell you the truth, really stinking hard!
Critical thinking is not for the lazy. A slow process by nature, it requires writers to examine our own intentions and compare them with the reader's likely experience. The questions themselves become the framework for your own feedback process.
If you struggle with getting enough distance on your work to feel confident in self-editing, block some time to try reflective questions.
The effort is mighty, but the outcome is deeply satisfying.