A writer's journal is a vital tool for every writing student. The more students write, the more they will grow as writers. Journals provide student writers with opportunities to muse and record the world around them. Likewise, students can use these writing tools to experiment and practice the writer's craft without the worry of the teacher's red pen
Assigning and Evaluating Journal Entries
On the other hand, teachers have the burden of assessing progress. Grades must ultimately be recorded, so writing teachers need to provide guidelines so that students understand the minimum requirements for the assignment. Create an assignment sheet and rubric that addresses the following
- Format - What type of notebook should students use? Should they date entries? Are there any other specific entries for individual entries?
- Frequency of journal evaluations - How often will journals be submitted?
- Minimum number of entries - How many entries should students complete each week?
- Types of Entries - Will students be allowed to choose their topics? Will they be required to vary genres?
- Length of entries - Is there a minimum (or maximum) length for each entry? If students write poetry, how many lines count as one entry? Can several shorter entries count as one regular entry?
- Neatness - Address legibility. Are students allowed to type entries?
Consider providing students with a "Journal Entry Pass" that they may use during a busy week.
Suggested Writing Topics
- Respond to a painting, illustration, or other work of art.
- Sit out in a natural setting and reflect.
- Soul search.
- Write a character sketch of a person, real or imagined.
- Philosophize about the nature of good and evil.
- Dream of the future or remember the past the past.
- Be serious.
- Be funny.
- Use "show-not-tell" imagery to describe anything.
- Write a response to a news article or television commentary.
- Write a letter to someone, even if it will never be sent.
- Personify a pet.
- Write a book or movie review.
- Write a satire in an attempt to draw attention to a societal problem.
- Write a letter to the editor or op-ed piece to persuade others to see your point-of-view
- Analyze a poem or music lyrics.
... or simply sit, listen, observe and record.
Commenting on Student Writing
Be sure to spend time reading and commenting on student entries, but resist the temptation to edit grammar, spelling and mechanics. Instead, ask questions, praise examples of good or interesting writing and act as an audience for your students. Students will take more care with their journal entries if they know that they have an interested audience.
In addition to providing students with purposeful commentary on journal writing, provide many opportunities for students to write for a larger audience. Encourage students to submit writing to contests, classroom or school newspapers, and magazines for young writers. Writer's journals are a perfect place for rough drafts.
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