example of a journal entry essay

OASIS: Writing Center

Common assignments: journal entries, basics of journal entries, related webinar.

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Module 1: Success Skills

Assignment: writing in college journal entry.

https://youtu.be/RH95h36NChI

The video above discusses beliefs students hold about college and demonstrates how those beliefs relate to test performance. Consider how beliefs might also impact a student’s performance on writing assignments.

Develop a 200–400 word journal entry that identifies three beliefs, mentioned in the video or discovered through your own observations, that relate to a student’s ability to write academic essays. Explain how these beliefs might be adjusted through the practice of metacognition to improve writing results.

Worked Example

Journal entry assignments tend to be more flexible than other types of writing assignments in college, and as a result they can be tailored to your own experiences as long as they answer the primary questions asked in the assignment.

One model of a successful entry about this topic can be found below. Feel free to include your own experiences and examples from real life as they pertain to the issue at hand.

Writing in College Journal Entry by Sandy Brown Belief: Learning is fast Related to writing essays, I could see how I could easily fall into this trap of thinking that fast is good. I have such limited time in the day to work on school assignments, that I think that whatever I can manage to get done must be the best possible work that I’m capable of doing. I should allow myself more time, though that’s easier said than done. Even with smaller writing assignments, like this one, if I give myself a day or two to sketch out ideas for what I want to say, and then reflect on it before writing it, I think I’ll do a much better job in the long run. Belief: I’m really good at multi-tasking This one is very related to the “learning is fast” idea. Watching the girl in the video do a million things while she’s studying is just like watching my own kids at night! And I’m pretty guilty of this, as well. If I can set aside a quiet part of my night, and just focus on only one assignment at a time, I think I’ll do a lot better with my writing overall. And I’ll be happier with the results. Belief: Being good at a subject is a matter of inborn talent This is actually not a belief I personally hold. I always loved to read growing up, and I still do read fiction as much as time allows. But working as a business administrator for the past 15 years has shown me that I’m pretty good with numbers and bookkeeping, too, which I wouldn’t have guessed before this job. One of my daughters is very drawn towards English and writing, and another struggles with it. They both seem to feel this is a matter of fate. I’m going to share this video with them, because I think there are ways that my daughter who struggles can be empowered to think that she CAN get better at writing, if she just keeps practicing. (This is also something I’m going to do myself…I’m very out of practice with writing for school!)

• Revision and Adaptation. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Writing Strategies. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.candelalearning.com/lumencollegesuccess/chapter/writing-strategies/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 1 of 5, Beliefs That Make You Fail... Or Succeed. Authored by : Samford Office of Marketing and Communication. Located at : https://youtu.be/RH95h36NChI . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

How to Write a Journal Entry

Have you always wanted to express yourself but you just would not like to share it with somebody? Then writing journal entries can be of great of help to you especially if you want your thoughts materialized into words. Plus, you do not have to be worried about having another person knowing about it.

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Understanding Journal Entries

Journal entries are pieces of writing, which come individually, that will take and fill up a journal or even an ordinary notebook. It is in a journal entry where you will be able to express yourself, your personal growth, your interests, your opinions, and even the mundane things you have done and encountered in a day.

Journal entries usually come in between 500–1000 words. A journal entry may not be connected or related to a previous or the following entry unless stated. Journal entries are considered as something that is private since it is where you can be able to write with no holds barred.

When it comes to content, a journal can contain anything and everything. You can include a chronicle of what happened in your day, the summary of your deep thoughts, and you could even include your to-do tasks for the next day or tasks that you have already completed within the day.

When you would decide to write journal entries for the first time, you may want to consider starting with writing even the most ordinary events that happened in your day, the secrets you want to spill but could not spill to others, and even your most random train of thoughts.

You could also get assigned to write a journal entry for school, you may have to read the stated instructions properly as it could contain only the necessary items that you have to write for your journal entry assignment and that it could also save you some time from writing irrelevant content.

Starting a Journal

Before you would step into the world of journal writing, you just have to have the will to write in the first place. Without the will and the desire to write a journal entry, you will surely not reach even to the half of your journal. You might get discouraged at first especially if you are not confident with your writing, but do not worry because you do not have to be a renowned author to start a journal.

Keep in mind that when in writing a journal, you just have to be honest with yourself. Once you are assured that you really are willing to start writing a journal, here are the steps that can guide you:

1. Decide a comfortable space to write.

There are two spaces to consider when writing a journal. First, you have to consider where you are going to sit when writing a journal and the second is where you should be writing your journal entries.

For the first space, you have to decide on a place where you are at your most comfortable state that you would not be worrying that someone is standing behind you reading your journal entry. You would not want that, right? Additionally, you might want to remember some things that happened during your day and that you could not do so if there will be background noises and distractions as you write.

For the second space, you have to decide on a writing space where you would be writing your journal entry. Do not write anywhere and choose a kind of writing space, be it a notebook or a journal, where you will be able to write comfortably as well. You could also opt for a digital journal where you can easily add, edit, or delete some parts easily without having to deal with the mess; plus, you could easily add other elements, such as photos, that could make your journal entry more detailed.

2. Reflect on your day and ask yourself questions.

Once you have found a perfect place to write and a perfect writing space to write your journal entry on, you should now have to reflect on what happened during your day and what are the events that are journal-worthy for you. You do not have to write on this step.

If you are a newbie at journal writing, do not be too hard on yourself and just write what you can manage to write since your journal entry can just be about anything you want. If you want to write down the moments in your day that you want to have a keepsake out of, you can totally do it even by just closing your eyes and reflecting on what happened throughout your day, including what you may have felt about it.

If you find it hard to reflect, you can just start on basic questions that could help you generate content for your journal entry.

3. Start writing!

You already have what you need so that only means that the only thing left to do is the actual writing of your journal entry.

Again, if you are a beginner at writing journal entries, you can start with simple sentences that start with  “I feel,” or “I think,” or “I wonder.”  Also, do not be afraid to have a central topic for your journal entry and do not be afraid to exclude some parts of your day that you don’t feel recording, most especially if it is just too mundane and basic, such as taking a bath. Unless something remarkable happened during your bath, then you might find it important to write it down. Make sure that you make your journal a space where you can feel at your most comfortable state.

However, if you are to write a journal for an assignment in one of your classes, be sure that you will be able to follow the instructions given by your teacher or professor.

4. Re-read and add.

When you would get into writing your journal writing, there is a tendency that you might forget some things, this is why it is advised that you should go back and re-read your journal entry right after writing it. It is not really necessary for you to check whether grammar, especially the spelling and syntax, is done right and flawless, but if you see the need to edit it since it can affect the message you want to convey, then, by all means, do so.

However, if it is a journal assignment, make sure that you would also check up on your grammar and syntax since your journal will be graded by your teacher.

Additionally, add and enter any missing details on your journal entry once you notice it during your re-reading period. Write it down immediately for it may be difficult to try and remember about it the next time.

Tips for Writing Journal Entries

If you are just getting started to write your first batch of journal entries, it could get difficult for you at some point. However, once you would finally get the hang of it, your journal entries would just easily flow. Here are some tips you can make use of should you want to get better at this activity:

1. Be creative.

Journal entry writing has no limits. You do not have to stick to words and long paragraphs if that bores you. You can make use of any visual material, such as an artwork or a photograph that would make your journal writing even more memorable.

2. Write a dialogue and a memory

In your day, you might have gotten yourself into a conversation so striking you want to have a record of it and you can freely do so on your journal entry. If there was a significant moment that happened to you on that day, write it as a memory on your journal entry. When you find starting to write an entry journal difficult, you can always go these basic things to write and start from there.

3. Set a schedule.

As we mentioned earlier in the article, setting a schedule is a great first step. Decide how many times you want to write and set a schedule. Whether it be once a day, or once a week, decide on a time you want to write and don’t skip it.

4. Have fun.

Of all the things that have been written above, the only thing that you should always stick in your mind is to have fun while writing your first batch of journal entries. It is in having fun that you would just let go of anything that holds you back from writing what you want to write and just let your pen, your hand, and your thoughts do all the action.

Journal entry writing is not a chore or a requirement (unless it’s a given assignment) that you should feel so much pressure from. Free yourself from doubts and just write.

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How To Write A Journal Entry: Unleashing Your Thoughts with Power and Clarity

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on July 22, 2023

Categories Writing

Whether you’re looking to capture precious moments, explore your deepest thoughts, or simply jot down daily happenings, journaling can be a powerful tool.

It’s personal, it’s therapeutic, and most importantly, it’s yours. However, starting a journal may seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. You might ask yourself: ‘What should I write? How should I begin?’

Don’t worry! This guide will help you understand the basics of journal writing. From choosing your journal and setting it up to developing a regular routine and overcoming common challenges – we’ve got you covered.

So grab that pen and prepare to embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery through words!

Key Takeaways

• Journaling is a personal and therapeutic practice that helps with self-discovery, mindfulness, and reducing stress.
• Choosing the right journal medium and personalizing it with decorations and a cover that reflects one’s personality can enhance the journaling experience.
• Developing a regular journaling routine by allocating dedicated time each day and treating journaling as an important task in the daily schedule is crucial for consistency.
• Journal entries don’t need to be perfect or lengthy essays; instead, they should reflect thoughts and emotions genuinely and honestly.

Understanding the Basics of Journaling

You’ve probably heard about journaling, but do you really understand what it means to pour out your heart onto paper, sifting through the noise of your mind and finding clarity in those quiet moments?

Journaling is a key tool for self-discovery and mindfulness. It’s not just about recording events or ideas; it’s more personal, a way of connecting with your thoughts and feelings.

Diving into the benefits of journaling, you’ll find that it can be therapeutic. It allows you to declutter your mind, reducing stress and improving mental health. You get to understand yourself better by reflecting upon your experiences and expressing emotions freely. Additionally, journaling enhances creativity as you explore different thoughts without judgment or fear.

There are many journaling styles to choose from – traditional diary entries, bullet journals for task organization or gratitude journals focusing on positive aspects of life. Your style should resonate with you personally; after all, this is about understanding yourself deeply.

So go ahead, pick up that pen! Start writing without worrying about punctuation or grammar errors. Remember it’s more important to record your raw emotions than aim for perfection!

Choosing Your Journal

Don’t fret about the perfect notebook or digital app for documenting your thoughts and experiences; it’s more crucial that you find a medium that suits your style and comfort. Your journal aesthetics should reflect your personality, whether it’s a simple lined notebook, a sophisticated leather-bound diary, or an easy-to-use app on your smartphone. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy—what matters is how much you enjoy using it.

Consider these factors when choosing between traditional versus digital journals:

Material selection is also important in a physical journal. Are you drawn to thick paper that can hold fountain pen ink without bleeding? Or do you prefer thin pages that make the journal lighter?

You’ll realize there isn’t one ‘right’ answer when picking out your journal. The goal here is to create an environment where you feel free to express yourself honestly and openly – this will keep you inspired and motivated to maintain regular entries. So go ahead, pick what feels right for you!

Setting Up Your Journal

Starting your new diary isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, and there’s no ‘right’ way to do it. Let’s dive in with a few tips to get you started on setting up your journal.

Firstly, grab your chosen journal. It’s time for some fun! Journal decoration allows you to personalize it and make it truly yours. Use stickers, doodles, or whatever sparks joy for you. This personal touch can enhance the overall experience of writing in a journal, making each entry more enjoyable.

Next comes the cover selection. While some prefer minimalist designs for a clean look, others might opt for vibrant colors or patterns that reflect their personality—it’s entirely up to you! But remember, choosing a cover that resonates with you will make this journey more inviting.

Now let’s talk about format. You can choose whether to date every entry or not; write long form or bullet points; keep it strictly text-based or incorporate sketches and photos too. The freedom is all yours!

You see? Setting up your journal doesn’t have to be daunting at all! With these simple steps, you’re ready to start crafting those entries now! So go ahead—dive into the world of self-expression and exploration that is journaling.

Tips for Writing Your First Entry

Embrace the blank page before you—it’s your canvas to pour out thoughts, dreams, and everything in between. When writing your first journal entry, remember that it doesn’t need to be perfect. You’re not being graded or judged—this is your personal space for reflection.

Start by defining an Entry Structure. Whether it’s a recap of your day, a reflection on something specific, or thoughts about future plans—it’s up to you. But having some sort of structure can help guide you through the process and keep your thoughts organized.

Next, breathe life into your entry with Personal Voice. Your journal is an extension of yourself; it should reflect who you are and how you feel.

Don’t get too hung up on grammar or punctuation—concentrate more on getting your ideas down on paper. Make sure each entry feels complete in its own right—like a mini story within the larger context of your life.

Most importantly, let go of any expectations and just write what comes naturally to you. This is where honesty meets creativity—your journal entries should be genuine expressions of yourself without any filters or pretenses.

Over time, these pages will become invaluable snapshots of moments from your life—a testament to who you were at different stages along the way.

Developing a Regular Journaling Routine

Cultivating a habit of daily musings and reflections can seem like climbing a mountain at first, but remember, even the mightiest Everest was conquered one step at a time—a metaphor for how consistency in your routine will gradually build up to an enriching narrative of your life.

How do you go about developing this regular journaling routine? Here are some steps that may help:

First, identify the right tools for journaling. This could be as simple as pen and paper or more complex like digital apps and software. The key is to find what works best for you—remember, comfort is king.

Secondly, dedicate specific times each day to write in your journal. This helps create consistency and turns it into a habit over time.

Lastly, don’t fall into the perfectionist trap! Your entries don’t have to be lengthy essays—they just need to reflect your thoughts.

Time management plays an essential role here. Allocate dedicated slots in your daily schedule exclusively for journaling. Treat it with importance—it’s not just another task on your checklist but rather a rendezvous with yourself.

Remember, this journey isn’t about achieving literary brilliance—it’s about self-discovery through candid expression. Keep going at it every day—you’ll soon see how rewarding it can truly be!

Making Your Journal Personal

Breathe life into your daily musings by making them truly yours, as unique and intricate as the thoughts swirling inside your mind. You’re not just jotting down random notes, you’re infusing a piece of yourself into each journal entry. Personalizing Techniques are significant tools to make this happen.

Start by choosing a theme that resonates with you. Are you passionate about travel? Then make every page an exploration of places you’ve been or wish to visit someday! If cooking is your thing, use the pages to record recipes, describe tastes and aromas. For those who find tranquility in nature, paint vivid landscapes with words; let the chirping birds fly off your page!

Emotional Expression is another critical aspect of personalizing your journal entries. Don’t shy away from expressing feelings – joy, sorrow, confusion, or excitement – they all add depth to your narrative. Pour out your heart on paper and let it be a cathartic release.

Remember to be genuine and authentic in each entry. This journal is yours alone – it should reflect who you are and what matters most to you. Be creative, be expressive but above all else – be true to yourself when writing these personal narratives!

Dealing with Writer’s Block

As you continue to make your journal more personal, you might encounter a common issue: writer’s block. Don’t worry, it’s normal and happens to everyone at some point. But what do you do when the words just won’t flow?

There are several methods that can help get those creative juices flowing again. Engage in activities that provide creative stimulation such as painting, photography or even cooking. These endeavors can spark new ideas and perspectives for your writing.

Utilize unblocking techniques like freewriting where you write continuously without worrying about grammar or punctuation. This method helps clear mental blocks by letting ideas flow freely.

Change your environment. Sometimes, a change of scenery can inspire fresh thoughts and ideas.

Remember, it’s crucial not to pressure yourself too much – stress often contributes to writer’s block. Keep in mind why you’re writing this journal – for self-expression and reflection, not perfection. And sometimes, stepping away from your journal for a short while can also be beneficial. A little break revives your mind and when you come back to it later, you’ll have a whole new set of experiences to share!

Maintaining Privacy and Security

Just because you’re pouring your heart out on paper doesn’t mean it has to be an open book for everyone. As a journal writer, maintaining privacy and security should be top priorities. You wouldn’t want your deepest thoughts and feelings falling into the wrong hands.

Start by considering physical security. Keep your journal in a safe place where others can’t easily access it. For instance, consider using a lockbox or even a locked drawer to store your journal when not in use.

Digital safeguards are equally important if you’re keeping an electronic journal. Use strong, unique passwords that can’t be guessed easily. Consider encrypting your entries or using password-protected documents. Regularly update your software and devices to ensure they have the latest security updates.

Remember, the confidentiality of your journal is paramount. These steps will help protect it from prying eyes. The key is to take proactive measures towards ensuring both physical and digital security of your journal’s contents without compromising its accessibility for you. After all, this personal record serves as an emotional outlet. Let it remain private and secure just like the thoughts within it.

Review and Reflect on Your Entries

While keeping your journal entries secure and private is crucial, it’s equally important to take time to revisit what you’ve written. This brings us to our next key area: reviewing and reflecting on your entries.

Reflective techniques are a great tool for this. As you read through past entries, consider the feelings and thoughts that prompted those words. Do you notice any recurring themes or patterns? Has your perspective changed since writing them?

This process of entry analysis helps you understand yourself better over time. Take note of significant growth points or shifts in thinking; they can serve as guideposts in your personal journey. It’s like having a conversation with your past self, lending insights that might have been overlooked otherwise.

Don’t rush the review process. Let it be an opportunity for introspection, learning from past experiences, and acknowledging progress made. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to reflect on your journals; what matters most is that it resonates with you personally.

So as you flip through old pages filled with scribbled emotions, remember – each word tells a story about who you were at that moment in time. Embrace this chance to connect deeper with yourself through reflection.

Encouraging Growth and Change

In the garden of your self-awareness, each penned thought is a seed, sprouting over time into patterns and insights that encourage personal growth and transformation. Your journal entries are more than just words on a page; they’re glimpses into your soul, an exploration of who you truly are.

Embracing vulnerability in your journal can be one of the most empowering things you do. It’s about stripping yourself bare and confronting all aspects of your being – the good, the bad, and everything in between. This openness with oneself encourages inner growth.

Here are some tips to encourage this change:

• Approach each entry with honesty: don’t shy away from difficult topics.
• Write regularly: consistency helps build momentum for change.
• Reflect on past entries: see how far you’ve come.
• Make note of lessons learned: use these as stepping stones for future growth.
• Chart progress: keep track of your evolution over time.

With every word written down, every emotion expressed, every reflection made – you evolve bit by bit. Your journal becomes a testament to this evolution. So keep writing, charting progress along the way; not because it’s easy but because it’s worth it.

Tips for Long-Term Journaling

Maintaining a long-term record of your thoughts and experiences can be quite the challenge, but with some practical tips, it’s more than doable. Journaling rewards you in countless ways, including promoting self-expression, emotional release, and memory improvement. It’s like having a conversation with yourself that also sharpens your mind.

To start with, set aside dedicated time each day for your journaling routine. This doesn’t have to be an hour; just five or ten minutes will do. Find a quiet space where you can focus on your writing without distractions. Also, remember that there’s no right or wrong way to journal; write what feels natural and true for you.

Continuity is key in long-term journaling. Even if life gets busy or throws curveballs at you, keep up the habit. You may find shorter entries during tough times are manageable and still beneficial.

Embrace the evolving nature of your entries as they reflect changes over time in perspectives and personal growth. Make it fun by using colorful pens or stickers — make the process enjoyable so it never feels like a chore.

The essence of long-term journaling lies not only in recording facts but also capturing emotions and thought processes – moments that enhance memory improvement and create rich records of personal history over years to come.

Therapeutic Benefits of Journaling

You might not realize it, but your pen can be a powerful tool for managing stress and improving mental health. When you pour your thoughts onto paper in the form of journaling, you’re actually practicing an effective form of self-care.

You’ll find that this simple habit can serve as a free therapy session, helping you navigate through life’s ups and downs while keeping your mental well-being on track.

Stress Management

Feel the tension melt away as you scribble down your worries onto the blank canvas of your journal, transforming them into tangible words rather than overwhelming thoughts. Journaling can be a powerful stress management tool, helping you unmask stressors and their physical manifestations in your life.

To make this process more effective, consider these tips:

Identify what causes you stress: it could be work-related issues or personal matters.

Pay attention to physical signs of stress like headaches, digestive problems, or sleeplessness.

Write about your feelings openly and honestly without fear of judgment.

Explore possible solutions to manage or eliminate these sources of stress.

Reflect on what you’ve written over time to track any patterns or improvements.

The act of writing helps untangle complex emotions and brings clarity.

Improving Mental Health

Navigating life’s ups and downs is no easy feat, but penning your thoughts can be a beacon of hope in those stormy times. You’re not alone; many individuals struggle with their mental health, often due to societal stigmas.

By acknowledging these harmful stigmas and embracing the benefits of journaling, you’ll see vast improvements in your mental well-being over time. Keep writing; it’s one step closer to better mental health!

Inspiring Journal Entry Ideas

Ready to elevate your journaling routine? Let’s dive into some inspiring journal entry ideas.

From intriguing writing prompts that’ll ignite your creativity, to themed entries that let you explore different aspects of your life, these are sure to make every journaling session a fulfilling and rewarding journey.

Writing Prompts

You’re probably wondering where to start with your journal entry, so why not try some writing prompts to unleash your creativity and thoughts? These prompts can be categorized into different themes for easier selection.

Selecting a prompt based on your mood or interest can stimulate deep self-reflection and make your journaling experience more meaningful and engaging. Create an environment that inspires creativity, grab a pen, and let your thoughts flow freely!

Themed Entries

Moving on from writing prompts, let’s dive into another interesting and creative approach, known as ‘Themed Entries’.

This method revolves around the concept of thematic exploration where you pick a specific theme or subject matter to write about in your journal. It could be anything from love, travel, self-improvement, to even seasons of the year.

It’s not just about words though; consider incorporating visual elements too. Include drawings, photographs or any image related to your chosen theme for added depth and personal touch.

This way, your journal becomes more than just a diary; it transforms into an artistic chronicle that visually represents your thoughts and experiences pertaining to the chosen theme.

Remember, themed entries can make your journaling journey more engaging and insightful!

Overcoming Common Journaling Challenges

Facing common journaling challenges can be tough, but don’t worry, you’re not alone; many people struggle with finding the time to write, maintaining consistency, or even knowing what to say.

One of the most daunting hurdles is overcoming your journaling fears. It’s natural to feel anxious about expressing yourself freely on paper. Remember though, this space is just for you—there’s no judgement here.

Emotional vulnerability can also be a barrier in journaling. You might find it hard to confront and articulate your feelings. But consider this: allowing yourself to be honest and open in your entries helps you understand yourself better and promotes emotional growth.

If time is an issue, start by setting aside just five minutes a day for writing – you might surprise yourself with how much you can express in such a short span! To maintain consistency, try making journaling part of your daily routine – perhaps first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

Bear in mind that there’s no right or wrong way to keep a journal; it’s all about creating space for self-discovery and reflection. So shake off those challenges and let your thoughts flow onto the page!

Celebrating Your Journaling Journey

–v 5.2 –ar 16:9

Embarking on your personal voyage of self-expression and introspection is truly a cause for celebration. Journaling has the power to transform your life, one entry at a time. As you continue on this path, it’s important to stop now and then, acknowledging your progress and celebrating your journaling journey.

To make it even more fulfilling, consider these four steps:

Set Journaling Milestones : They can be as simple as successfully writing for a week or filling up an entire journal.

Celebrate Achievements: Whenever you hit a milestone, do something special for yourself—maybe buy a new journal or take time out to read through past entries.

Share Your Journey: If comfortable, share some aspects of your journey with trusted loved ones—it may encourage them to start their own.

Recognize the Rewards: Acknowledge how journaling rewards you—from stress release to improved clarity of thought.

Remember that every entry adds value to your life story. You’re not just penning down thoughts; you’re creating an intimate memoir filled with reflections, dreams, and experiences unique to you alone. So celebrate every word written—each one signifies growth in this enriching practice called journaling!

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3.38: Assignment- Writing in College Journal Entry

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https://youtu.be/RH95h36NChI

The video above discusses beliefs students hold about college and demonstrates how those beliefs relate to test performance. Consider how beliefs might also impact a student’s performance on writing assignments.

Develop a 200-400 word journal entry that identifies three beliefs, mentioned in the video or discovered through your own observations, that relate to a student’s ability to write academic essays. Explain how these beliefs might be adjusted through the practice of metacognition to improve writing results.

Worked Example

Journal entry assignments tend to be more flexible than other types of writing assignments in college, and as a result they can be tailored to your own experiences as long as they answer the primary questions asked in the assignment.

One model of a successful entry about this topic can be found below. Feel free to include your own experiences and examples from real life as they pertain to the issue at hand.

Writing in College Journal Entry

by Sandy Brown

Belief: Learning is fast

Related to writing essays, I could see how I could easily fall into this trap of thinking that fast is good. I have such limited time in the day to work on school assignments, that I think that whatever I can manage to get done must be the best possible work that I’m capable of doing. I should allow myself more time, though that’s easier said than done. Even with smaller writing assignments, like this one, if I give myself a day or two to sketch out ideas for what I want to say, and then reflect on it before writing it, I think I’ll do a much better job in the long run.

Belief: I’m really good at multi-tasking

This one is very related to the “learning is fast” idea. Watching the girl in the video do a million things while she’s studying is just like watching my own kids at night! And I’m pretty guilty of this, as well. If I can set aside a quiet part of my night, and just focus on only one assignment at a time, I think I’ll do a lot better with my writing overall. And I’ll be happier with the results.

Belief: Being good at a subject is a matter of inborn talent

This is actually not a belief I personally hold. I always loved to read growing up, and I still do read fiction as much as time allows. But working as a business administrator for the past 15 years has shown me that I’m pretty good with numbers and bookkeeping, too, which I wouldn’t have guessed before this job.

One of my daughters is very drawn towards English and writing, and another struggles with it. They both seem to feel this is a matter of fate. I’m going to share this video with them, because I think there are ways that my daughter who struggles can be empowered to think that she CAN get better at writing, if she just keeps practicing. (This is also something I’m going to do myself…I’m very out of practice with writing for school!)

• Revision and Adaptation. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Writing Strategies. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.candelalearning.com/lumencollegesuccess/chapter/writing-strategies/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 1 of 5, Beliefs That Make You Fail... Or Succeed. Authored by : Samford Office of Marketing and Communication. Located at : https://youtu.be/RH95h36NChI . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License

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Maintaining a Personal Journal

A personal journal is a good, ongoing way to record your observations and thoughts--your personal responses to your world--and thus develop ideas for writing. A personal journal is more than just a record of what happens in your life (it's more than just "on Monday I went to the library; on Tuesday I stayed late at work"). A personal journal is a record of your observations, feelings, and reflections on your experience. You may want to write about an incident you observed, a person, a place, an important childhood experience, different reactions to a situation, a current issue, a goal, an ethical problem, or any other subject that has attracted your attention and occupied your thoughts. Consider yourself an investigator and ask why something is the way it is, why people respond in certain ways to a particular situation, what a person's or place's or item's special characteristics are, or how something happened. In other words, think about what you observe and write those thoughts in your journal entries. Think of Andy Rooney's commentaries as a prototype for journal entries; he often starts an essay or a television segment by asking, "Did you ever wonder why . . . ?"

Sample Journal Entry

The people on my street had an impromptu meeting outside today as a result of an upsetting article in the local newspaper. The township intends to take over some land, not on our street, but on the street perpendicular to ours, in order to widen the two-lane highway there. That means that the two people on the end of the street would lose the buffer of land between their houses and the road and have the road almost up to their doorsteps--and their property values would go down. There's not that much traffic, not enough to necessitate another lane in the road, and the speed limit has to remain the same as it's a residential area. So there's a lot of resentment at this unexpected situation. It's all occurring now because the town got a grant and has to use the money by a certain date or lose it. Even though we were all upset, we all handled the situation differently. A number of people were just plain angry and so upset that they couldn't do much more than yell about it. A few others tried to talk about tactics that we could take as a group, ways in which we could stop or at least delay the town's action. One person, who seems to be emerging as the group's leader, talked about specific channels that we could tap into and knew names of persons to contact. She started to get the group organized into smaller sub-groups to do different tasks. It amazes me that people who haven't done much more than say hello in passing this past year were able to get together this quickly to start to fight for a cause.

Through this journal entry, the writer has identified a number of ideas that may be fruitful for broader development in an essay, ideas related to how people function in groups, community organization, different responses to adverse situations, and the workings of local governments.

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How to Write a Journal Guide

• How To Start and Write a Journal

We keep a lot of things in our heads, but we put less down on paper. All those thoughts and ideas bouncing around can sometimes feel overwhelming. You have to-do lists, hopes, dreams, secrets, failures, love, loss, ups and downs. Ideas come and go, feelings pass. How do you remember all of them? How do you keep them organized? A great way to keep your thoughts organized and clear your mind is to write them down in a journal. Writing is a great exercise for anyone and by expressing yourself in a personal place is a wonderful way to stay sane. 

Starting a Journal

To start a journal, you just need to be willing to write. You don’t have to write well, you just need to want to do it. You don’t even need to decide what to write, you just need to let your words flow. Once you’ve decided you want to create a journal, here is a long list of instructions to guide you: 

Set up a schedule of when you play to write in your journal. You want to turn your writing into a habit, so create a schedule. Pick a time and the days of the week you will want to write and create a timely calendar reminder, so you don't forget. By scheduling the same times, journaling will become a natural and regular part of your agenda that you can look forward to. 

Find the right space to write.  

When you’re writing, it is helpful to be in a space where you can focus and concentrate. A quiet room with no distractions works best. Allow yourself to focus on your writing, without any interruptions. Make sure you are able to sit upright and are comfortable. An office or a study room is always great.

Buy a physical journal or Sign-up for Penzu

Penzu is a digital journal that will allow you to write from any device. It will make your journal writing incredibly easy-to-use, accessible, organized and private. It will save all your work and date it for you, so you never need to remember. It is a great tool for writing anywhere and keeping your work in one place. 

Close your eyes and reflect on your day. 

You may not know what to write about and that’s okay. Your journal can be about anything you want. A good way to begin writing is to close your eyes and think about what you’re feeling. 

Ask yourself questions.

What has happened that day? How did that make you feel? Are you excited about anything? Why? Reflect on the thoughts and feelings you’ve been having.

Dive in and start writing.

It is easy to begin sentences with, “I feel,” or “I think,” or “I wonder.” Don’t feel pressured to stick to any particular form or topic. The beginning of your journal writing can just be an introduction to your thoughts at the time. This is your personal space, so you should feel comfortable writing. 

Time yourself.

Set a time for how long you want to write. Somewhere between 5-20 minutes is ideal, depending on how much you want to jot down. Setting a time will help you stay focused and stop you from getting carried away. It is easy to feel like you need to write down every detail and this will help prevent that. 

Re-read your entry and add additional thoughts. 

10 Tips When Writing a Journal

Here are some tips to get started properly and consistently writing in your journal.

1. Set a schedule

As we mentioned earlier in the article, setting a schedule is a great first step. Decide how many times you want to write and set a schedule. Whether it be once a day, or once a week, decide on a time you want to write and don’t skip it. 

2. Keep it private

A journal is personal and should be a place you feel comfortable expressing yourself honestly and truthfully. Penzu keeps your journal safe and secure, with all your entries made private by default, only made available to share under your command. 

3. Meditate

Any journal entry will benefit from some moments of reflection before you begin writing. Before you start writing, go to a quiet place and focus on your breath for a few minutes. This is a wonderful exercise to clear your head and settle your thoughts . 

4.Brainstorm

If you want your journal to be about something specific, brainstorm ideas to write about. You can write a bible journal , a dream journal , cooking, work, school, anything you want! Feel free to start writing down ideas of what you are interested in or feel you should be writing about. This is the perfect place to get your creative juices flowing. Check out this page for a list of all the different types of journals .

5.Date your entry

It is important to keep each journal entry dated, so you know when you wrote it. You will want to go back through your journal at some point and see when the entries of the topic you’re writing about were added. Also, it will be nice to see how you were feeling at different points in your life. Penzu automatically dates your entries for you, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to do it. 

6.Title your entry

If you can, try and title your entries. This will help you navigate your journal and keep your writings focused. You don’t need to title it before you start writing though. A great way to think of a title is after you’ve written, but it is something to keep in mind. 

7.Write naturally

When writing, don’t feel like you have to follow any form or structure. Just do what comes naturally. Follow your train of thought and see what kind of writing follows. 

8.Write quickly

Don’t let writer’s block get in your way. Just keep writing whatever comes to mind. It is always hard to stop and start again, so keeping writing. It doesn’t have to make sense. Don’t think too much about the words you are putting on the page. You can make sense of them later. 

9.Write honestly

Your journal is for your eyes only, so be honest. You don’t want to lie to yourself. Be real with your thoughts, feelings and opinions. Be as candid as you can. You want your journal to be an honest representation of yourself and the times you’re writing in. 

10. Have fun

Writing a journal should be an enjoyable experience. Have fun with your writing and take pleasure in it. Writing in your journal shouldn’t be a chore. It should be something you look forward to doing, so make it a fun exercise. 

8 Extra Tips For New Journal Writers

Writing a journal entry is different for everyone. We all write differently and about different things, so it is a different experience for everyone. We can help with pointing you in the right direction, whatever that direction may be. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Think about what you want to write. 

Your journal doesn’t need to have a theme, but an easy way to start writing an entry is to think about what you want to write about. 

• Do you want to write about that day’s events? 
• Do you want to write about your plans for tomorrow?
• Are you planning a trip?
• Are you working on a project?
• Are you in a new relationship?
• Do you want to discuss your family?

Decide what you wish to discuss and go in that direction.

2. Try writing with a journaling prompt

If you are having trouble deciding on a topic, try writing personally and/or creatively to get you started. Here are some journaling prompts you could think about:

• What is your earliest childhood memory?
• What is/was your favorite subject in school? Why?
• Write a poem about your first romantic encounter.
• What is your biggest secret?
• Who is someone in your life that made a large impact on you? Why?

3. Plan ahead

Make sure you have a designated time to write. That way you can start thinking about what you want to write throughout the day and can prepare ideas. This will also get you looking forward to writing.

4. Practice

Write as much as possible. Writing will become easier you more you do it. Try and get into the habit of writing regularly and your entries will start coming to you naturally. 

5. Write letters

There are certainly times in your life where you wish you said something, or wish you didn't say something. Write about these moments. Think about writing letters that you will never send. They can be addressed to specific people or not, but they are great outlets for honest thoughts and make for compelling entries.

6. Try different perspectives

A helpful method of writing is to write from different perspectives. Pick a topic or event to write about and try writing in from someone else’s perspective, like a parent’s, a friend’s, or even an animal’s. It is healthy to think about things from different points of view. 

7. Add pictures

Pictures say a thousand words and can certainly inspire more. With Penzu you can import photos right into your entries, so feel free to add them throughout or just at the beginning to give you inspiration. You can talk about what is happening in the picture, the person that took it, what isn’t pictured, or just what it means to you. Think of it as giving the picture a long caption. 

8. Free write

Free writing is without direction, structure or motive. This means just take yourself to the page and go wild. Whenever an idea pops into your head, just write it down. It doesn't have to be cohesive or have a purpose. 

To Start Writing in a Journal With Penzu

Now that you’ve learned many tips of how to start and write in a journal, it’s time to get started with Penzu. Here’s how to get started:

• Grab your phone, computer or tablet.
• Make sure you are connected to WiFi.
• Go to Penzu.com to create an account.
• Enter your name, email and a password for your account.
• Download the apps.
• Log in and begin writing!

Writing journals is simple and easy! Download Penzu today and get let the words flow!

There's no time like the present - start your free online journal today!

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Get access to your diary wherever you are – download the free Penzu app for your all of your iOS and Android devices today!

Journal Basics

What is a Journal?

Journal Entries

Benefits of Journaling

Journal Types

• Journal Examples
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Ideas for Journals

• Pregnancy Journal

A pregnancy journal helps you remember important information about your health and make better decisions while you're expecting.

Gratitude Journal

We'll explain what a gratitude journal is, how to figure out what you're grateful for (and why), and some guidelines for keeping one through Penzu.

• Bible Journal

Bible journals can provide you with a therapeutic way to better cope with everyday situations, understand your feelings and establish a connection between your life and the biblical content.

How To Create a Reflective Journal

A reflective journal is the perfect place to jot down some of life's biggest thoughts.

5 Year Journal

A five year journal can help you remember the people and events that matter to you.

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• Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

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Table of contents

Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://​doi.org/10.1001/​archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://​eandt.theiet.org/​content/​articles/2009/05/​blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://​doi.org/10.1016/​j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://​www.jstor.org/​stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Bryson, S. (2023, July 23). Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks. Scribbr. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/example-essay-structure/

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How to Write a Journal Response to a Book

Last Updated: June 27, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 396,923 times.

Journaling is a great way to process what you've read and develop your understanding of the text. Many teachers give response journal assignments to help students clarify what's read, solidify their reactions to and opinions on the text, and organize their thoughts before working on a larger assignment. As such, to write a journal response to a book, you'll need to engage with the text as you read it and write out your thoughts on that text in a cohesive, thorough manner. By practicing careful reading and writing habits, you will be able to write a thoughtful response that can help launch a term paper or extended essay on a given reading. You can write journal entries as you are reading books or after you finish them. They can be about any topic related to the book. Maybe the book made you wonder something, or you made a connection to something in your life or to another book, or whatever.

Sample Responses

Writing a Journal Response to a Book

• Address what the main thesis is for the reading. What is the reading about, and why did the author write the text?
• Acknowledge any conclusions or commentary/arguments the author arrives at. If the book is about something, like the social and political happenings of the author's time, what does the author ultimately think and how do you know this?
• Incorporate one or two important quotes that are representative of the rest of the text.

• Don't be afraid to make connections between the book and your own life; if there is a theme or character that speaks to you, write about why.
• Address and evaluate the author's arguments and conclusions, which should have been detailed in the summary part of your journal.
• Think of the commentary as either supporting or rejecting (what you consider) the author's main points.
• Justify your opinions in the commentary. Agreeing or disagreeing is only the first step; for a thorough response, you'll need to analyze your own opinions and arrive at a reason why you had that reaction.

• Allow yourself to explore a topic covered in the summary. Think about why you believe the author addressed certain subjects, as well as what you think about those subjects and the author's depiction.
• Analyze your opinions. Don't just write that you liked or disliked something, or that you agreed or disagreed with it - dig deeper and figure out why.
• Ask yourself: How far can I run with a given idea, and how can I make sense of it? Think of your journal as a place to make sense of both the academic and personal experience of reading a given book. [4] X Research source
• As your journal progresses over the course of the semester or school year, your responses should become longer and more complex.
• You should be able to chart the development of your thoughts within each individual response and across the journal as a whole.

• Consider using clear and descriptive headings in your journal. It will help you more easily find your thoughts and insights as you read through your journal at a later date.
• It's okay if the actual journal entries wander a bit while exploring the subject - in fact, this can be very helpful. [5] X Research source The goal is to organize your journal as a whole so that you can make sense of your entries and track your progress.

Engaging with the Text

• Try to get a general understanding of what the text is about before you read it. You can do this by reading a summary, skimming the chapter(s), or browsing a reader's companion to a given text.
• Contextualize the text in terms of its historical, biographical, and cultural significance.
• Ask questions about the text. Don't just passively read the book; analyze what's being said and have an "argument" in your notes when you disagree with the author.
• Be aware of your personal response to the text. What shaped your beliefs on that subject, and how might your beliefs be similar to or different from the author's (or a reader of his or her time)?
• Identify the main thesis of the text and try to trace how it develops over the course of the book.

• Annotations don't have to be eloquent. They can be half-formed thoughts and impressions, or even exclamations.
• Some critical readers annotate a text to clarify things that were vague in the text. Other readers annotate to assess and evaluate the author's arguments.
• Try to make your annotations as diverse as possible so that your notes approach the subject matter from multiple angles.

• Try to read through your annotations within a day of writing them, and then several times over the following weeks.

• Highlight or draw a star next to the 10 or so notes, comments, or passages that you identify as being somewhat significant.
• Underline or put a second star next to the five notes/comments/passages that you think are most significant. They can be significant to the plot, to your understanding of the plot, or to the argument you hope to support in your response.

Gathering Your Thoughts for the Journal

• Story webs are typically organized by a central topic or question in the middle, surrounded by boxes or bubbles that link to that topic and support, deny, or comment on that topic or question.
• Story maps can be more like a flow chart. They track the major plot points and break down the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the book in a visual format.

• Try not to copy your freewriting word for word into your journal. Instead, pull out a few key thoughts and phrases, then try to expand on them to develop your ideas for the journal entry.

• Freewriting can be helpful to work out your summary of the reading, where prewriting may be useful for working out your commentary on the text.
• Try not to restrict or limit yourself while prewriting. Let yourself explore the thoughts and opinions you had as you read the text and trace those thoughts to their logical conclusions.

Expert Q&A

• Work in a quiet environment free of electronic distractions. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Use sticky notes and/or highlighters to mark important passages. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Don’t read large chunks and expect to fully understand the text when you write about it. Instead, read a small section (one short chapter or half of a long chapter) and then write. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• Computer or pen and journal
• Highlighters (optional)
• Sticky notes (optional)

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.samuelthomasdavies.com/how-to-write-a-book-summary/
• ↑ https://research.uoregon.edu/plan/undergraduate-research/resources/exploring-topic
• ↑ http://wac.colostate.edu/books/language_connections/chapter2.pdf
• ↑ http://www.longwood.edu/staff/mcgeecw/sampleresponsepapers.htm
• ↑ http://www.salisbury.edu/counseling/new/7_critical_reading_strategies.html
• ↑ http://writing.colostate.edu/textbooks/informedwriter/chapter2.pdf
• ↑ http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-journals-efficient-teacher-responses

About This Article

To write a journal response to a book, start by writing a summary of the book to explain the author’s main points, and provide 1 to 2 quotes from the text to support your analysis. Then, give your commentary on the book, explaining why you agree or disagree with what the author says. As part of your response, give reasons for your thoughts and opinions, and try to answer questions like “Are there connections between the book and my life?” so you can dive more deeply into your personal experience of reading the book. For tips from our English co-author about how to annotate the book to engage more fully with the text, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Turning a Journal Entry Into a Personal Essay

Your journal can be a great resource for personal writing for publication

Although for many people a journal is something that contains thoughts, ideas, and feelings that will never be shared with others, for some people, a journal can serve as a resource for future writing projects. Ralph Waldo Emerson called his journal his “savings bank” — a library he could reference when he needed an idea for a new piece of writing.

For writers who are interested in writing personal essays for publication, a journal is an invaluable resource. Since a journal often contains your contemporaneous thoughts, it can help you navigate the truth in what you were feeling in the moment. Journaling also gets us into the habit of using the written word to express our thoughts, fears, and feelings, which is a necessary skill for personal essay writing.

There can be some traps for personal essay writers when it comes to journals, though. Mainly: you sit down to read through an old journal entry and you think, “Hey, this is pretty good. Maybe I’ll just publish it like this.”

More times than not, publishing a journal entry as-is is not the way to go. Below, you’ll find some tips on what you should consider if you are ready to take something from your journal and turn it into a personal essay, either to publish on your own blog or to submit for publication in a literary journal or magazine.

Think about structure

One of the best things about writing in a journal is that we don’t have to worry about structure. For an essay, though, we do need to think about structure. Although a personal essay is perhaps less structured than an academic one, we still need to draw the reader in, establish what it is we’re going to be exploring, and we should ideally have both a climax and a resolution that sums up what we learned through the experience detailed in the essay.

Sometimes, the structure an essay will require will not mean laying out the events as they happened chronologically in real life. It’s possible your journal might. Creating an outline may help you to extract the details you need from the journal in a way that will best serve the essay.

Borrow phrasing from yourself

When we write in our journals, we’re typically writing in a way that is unfiltered and pure. Some of the best writing lies in phrases that were not prepared for an audience, because when we wrote them, we weren’t worrying about how they would be perceived, but rather how they represented what we were truly experiencing or feeling at the time. Our journals are chock full of these pure phrases. Though it may not make sense to directly transcribe your journal entry into an essay, it definitely makes sense to pay attention to some of the phrasing you created in your private writing, and use it where effective.

Poetic licence

Though the personal essay is a non-fiction form of writing, sometimes we need to condense timelines or reduce minutia when preparing to relay an experience to a wider audience. When we’re using our journals as resources, we will sometimes come across details that had otherwise slipped our minds but, because they’re in the journal, are brought to the forefront of our memories. Just because something was included in your journal doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a detail that is required for a reader to understand your story in your essay. Choose your details wisely. Just like how in fiction writing most details should move the story along, in non-fiction writing, most details should have relevance to the ultimate topic we are exploring. This isn’t necessarily true when we’re just writing in our journals. Be choosy about what details you extract.

Be True to Yourself

The number one authority on you is, well, you. When we are writing personal essays from memory, sometimes we mix perspective, grudges, and time into the original ingredients, which in turn creates a retelling of something that is not as accurate as it could be. A journal affords us the opportunity to visit with, in a sense, our former self — the person who was experiencing something in the moment and was reflecting about it right there and then, before time, perspective, and other things had had time to meddle. Though sometimes it can be hard, it is at the very least a good exercise (if not good practice) to use those impressions to describe what you were going through at the time, rather than to let your current perspective color your descriptions. This is where journaling can help the personal essay writer the most.

We hope that as you navigate your journaling practice and your work as an essayist, you’ll find that they will be beneficial to one another. Your journal is, much like Emerson said, a savings bank for your future writerly self — it is chock full of ideas, emotions, and notions. Happy writing!

Diarly is secure, simple & beautiful. Start your digital journal today!

Lauren Harkawik

Lauren Harkawik is a journalist, essayist, and fiction writer based in Vermont. You can read her writing on her website.

Visit Lauren Harkawik 's website

Introduction

CDHE Nomination

AUCC Requirements

Course Description

Sample Policy Statements

Syllabus Sequencing Strategies

Sample Daily Syllabi

Lesson Plans

Reading Selection Recommendations

Assignments

Response Papers and Discussion Forums

Presentations

Discusssion, Group, WTL Questions

Variations, Misc.

Curbing Plagiarism

Additional Teaching & Course Design Resources

Guide Contributors

Basic Journal Assignment Example

Here is an example of a basic journal assignment:

Short writing assignments for a personal journal will be required for all readings. Additional assignments will be given frequently in class and for homework throughout the semester. In addition, it must be kept up to date. You may be asked to read journal entries for the class. Consequently, your journal must be brought to every class. Journal writings will not be graded for quality as a paper would be. If you have completed all assigned journal entries in a sincere manner, you will receive full credit for the journal in your final grade. That credit will be lessened only if you are lacking certain journal entries, or your entries are unacceptably brief or intentionally do not address the topic. The journal will not be judged negatively for unintentional errors in writing or punctuation. In other words, the journal is one place where a better writer will not necessarily get a better grade. The journal rewards effort and participation. It provides an opportunity to succeed no matter where you are starting from if you sincerely dedicate yourself.

Journal Entry Essays

Journal entry: challenging patient encounters, popular essay topics.

• American Dream
• Artificial Intelligence
• Black Lives Matter
• Bullying Essay
• Career Goals Essay
• Causes of the Civil War
• Child Abusing
• Civil Rights Movement
• Community Service
• Cultural Identity
• Cyber Bullying
• Death Penalty
• Depression Essay
• Domestic Violence
• Freedom of Speech
• Global Warming
• Gun Control
• Human Trafficking
• I Believe Essay
• Immigration
• Importance of Education
• Israel and Palestine Conflict
• Leadership Essay
• Legalizing Marijuanas
• Mental Health
• National Honor Society
• Police Brutality
• Pollution Essay
• Racism Essay
• Romeo and Juliet
• Same Sex Marriages
• Social Media
• The Great Gatsby
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• Time Management
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Violent Video Games
• What Makes You Unique
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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

MLA Works Cited Page: Periodicals

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8 th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

Periodicals include magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals. Works cited entries for periodical sources include three main elements—the author of the article, the title of the article, and information about the magazine, newspaper, or journal. MLA uses the generic term “container” to refer to any print or digital venue (a website or print journal, for example) in which an essay or article may be included.

Below is the generic citation for periodicals using the MLA style. Use this as guidance if you are trying to cite a type of source not described on this page, omitting any information that does not apply:

Author. Title. Title of container (self contained if book), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publisher Date, Location (pp.). 2nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Pub date, Location (pp.).

Article in a Magazine

Cite by listing the article's author, putting the title of the article in quotations marks, and italicizing the periodical title. Follow with the date of publication. Remember to abbreviate the month. The basic format is as follows:

Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical , Day Month Year, pages.

Poniewozik, James. "TV Makes a Too-Close Call." Time, 20 Nov. 2000, pp. 70-71.

Buchman, Dana. "A Special Education." Good Housekeeping, Mar. 2006, pp. 143-48.

Article in a Newspaper

Cite a newspaper article as you would a magazine article, but note the different pagination in most newspapers. If there is more than one edition available for that date (as in an early and late edition of a newspaper), identify the edition after the newspaper title.

Brubaker, Bill. "New Health Center Targets County's Uninsured Patients." Washington Post, 24 May 2007, p. LZ01.

Krugman, Andrew. "Fear of Eating." New York Times, late ed.,  21 May 2007, p. A1.

If the newspaper is a less well-known or local publication, include the city name in brackets after the title of the newspaper.

Behre, Robert. "Presidential Hopefuls Get Final Crack at Core of S.C. Democrats." Post and Courier [Charleston, SC],29 Apr. 2007, p. A11.

Trembacki, Paul. "Brees Hopes to Win Heisman for Team." Purdue Exponent [West Lafayette, IN], 5 Dec. 2000, p. 20.

To cite a review, include the title of the review (if available), then the phrase, “Review of” and provide the title of the work (in italics for books, plays, and films; in quotation marks for articles, poems, and short stories). Finally, provide performance and/or publication information.

Review Author. "Title of Review (if there is one)." Review of Performance Title, by Author/Director/Artist. Title of Periodical, Day Month Year, page.

Seitz, Matt Zoller. "Life in the Sprawling Suburbs, If You Can Really Call It Living." Review of Radiant City , directed by Gary Burns and Jim Brown. New York Times, 30 May 2007, p. E1.

Weiller, K. H. Review of Sport, Rhetoric, and Gender: Historical Perspectives and Media Representations , edited by Linda K. Fuller. Choice, Apr. 2007, p. 1377.

An Editorial & Letter to the Editor

Cite as you would any article in a periodical, but include the designators "Editorial" or "Letter" to identify the type of work it is.

"Of Mines and Men." Editorial. Wall Street Journal, eastern edition, 24 Oct. 2003, p. A14.

Hamer, John. Letter. American Journalism Review, Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007, p. 7.

Anonymous Articles

Cite the article’s title first, then finish the citation as you would any other for that kind of periodical.

"Business: Global Warming's Boom Town; Tourism in Greenland." The Economist , 26 May 2007, p. 82.

"Aging; Women Expect to Care for Aging Parents but Seldom Prepare." Women's Health Weekly, 10 May 2007, p. 18.

An Article in a Scholarly Journal

A scholarly journal can be thought of as a container, as are collections of short stories or poems, a television series, or even a website. A container can be thought of as anything that contains other pieces of work. In this case, cite the author and title of article as you normally would. Then, put the title of the journal in italics. Include the volume number (“vol.”) and issue number (“no.”) when possible, separated by commas. Finally, add the year and page numbers.

Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Journal , Volume, Issue, Year, pages.

Bagchi, Alaknanda. "Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in Mahasweta Devi's Bashai Tudu ." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature, vol. 15, no. 1, 1996, pp. 41-50.

Duvall, John N. "The (Super)Marketplace of Images: Television as Unmediated Mediation in DeLillo's White Noise ." Arizona Quarterly , vol. 50, no. 3, 1994, pp. 127-53.

An Article in a Special Issue of a Scholarly Journal

When an article appears in a special issue of a journal, cite the name of the special issue in the entry’s title space, in italics. Add the descriptor “special issue of” and include the name of the journal, also in italics, followed by the rest of the information required for a standard scholarly journal citation.

Web entries should follow a similar format, and should include a DOI (if available), otherwise include a URL or permalink.

Burgess, Anthony. "Politics in the Novels of Graham Greene." Literature and Society, special issue of Journal of Contemporary History, vol. 2, no. 2, 1967, pp. 93-99.

Case, Sue-Ellen. “Eve's Apple, or Women's Narrative Bytes.” Technocriticism and Hypernarrative, special issue of Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 43, no. 3, 1997, pp. 631-50. Project Muse , doi:10.1353/mfs.1997.0056.