Writing Journal Information
-
HOW TO USE YOUR JOURNALS
Many people keep journals. Writers and artists use journals in a different way. Instead of recording what happens each day, they write or draw in a journal on a regular basis to reflect on themselves and the world around them. The journal you will keep for my class is a writing and art journal. It is a place to explore ideas and express yourself through art and language, as well as a place to write observations about life. It is not a place to write basic diary entries.
The following are the journal expectations:
- You are expected to personally design the front and back covers of your journal using stickers, markers, pens, and/or colored pencils. I will give you some time in class to do this.
- You must write your full MLA heading on the front inside cover in black or dark blue pen. I will explain how to write an MLA heading in class.
- You have to write/draw a minimum of 2 entries each week for 7.5/10 points (C), 3 entries for 8.5/10 points (B), and 4 entries for 9.5/10 points. The quality of your work and the effort you make can raise or lower your points by 0.5 or more.
- You must write the full date (MLA style) for each entry. For example, if the date is 9/20/23, you would write 20 September 2023.
- Your journal will be checked and graded randomly, so you need to keep up-to-date with your entries. I will give you time in class each week to make entries in your journals.
- You may write quotes you hear or read, draw or design whatever inspires you, write things that impressed or surprised you, respond to news stories or other information you hear or read, recount a dream you had or a joke/anecdote you heard, or even write something interesting you learned in one of your classes.
- This journal is your own space. The main purpose of this type of journal is to get you used to putting ideas/drawings/thoughts/emotions on paper, to explore your writing/drawing skills, and to give you an understanding of how you are maturing and developing over time.
Below is a document that tells you how to keep a writing journal. It is the type of journal my students were required to keep in my English class. Your journal is a bit different, but the Writing Journal tips can also help you with your S4S Journal. Use the document below for ideas and inspiration:
