WRITING CENTER "INFORMATION PICK-UP" (S.S.C.C.)

WHAT IS STUDENT JOURNAL WRITING?

• WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF JOURNAL WRITING?

• HOW CAN IT BE APPROACHED?

 

Instructors often request that their students write journals for several reasons:

• They want students to get used to expressing themselves in writing in the creative safety of a journal.

• They want them to have a forum in which students may explore thoughts, ideas, expressions, feelings, and other materials which may enhance their formal class writing.

• They want students to develop as critical, analytical readers by expressing their opinions in writing, in response to professional essays and/or provocative questions.

• They want students to get used to writing daily or at least several times a week.

When students write in their journals, they should focus on the following:

• creativity

• uniqueness

• self-expression

• exploration of ideas and attitudes

• trying out new language and new words

• development of ideas

• longer journal entries

• insightful readings of class materials

• emotional investment

• thorough consideration of given questions

(Revised 1998)