Persistent practice in writing is the only way to develop proficiency at it. To that end, students in ENG 099 are required to submit journal entries. For each instance of the course calendar noting journal entries as being due, students are to write no less than five full pages of single-spaced, college ruled notebook paper (or the equivalent in typed or otherwise presented text) and to submit that written work to the instructor for brief review. Journal entries may be on any topic or no topic; they will not be read by the instructor (except by specific student request), only scanned to ensure that the appropriate amount of text is provided and that it is not simply copied over from some other source.
As an alternative, beginning in the Spring 2013 term, students may submit their journals via a link to a blog maintained by the student. Blogs will be evaluated in terms of amount of appropriate content, just as more traditional journals. Blogs are also likely to receive comment; in "Reading (and Writing) Online, Rather Than on the Decline" (Profession {2012}: 41-52. Print.), Kathleen Fitzpatrick, the Modern Language Association's director of scholarly communication, notes that the interchanges associated with blogging and commenting on blogging represent a new and more immediate means of scholarly engagement. Since beginning scholarly engagement is a desirable outcome of ENG 099, the instructor will likely offer comments about blogs if they are submitted as journals; blogs will therefore be read, as more "normal" journals will not (again, unless specifically requested).
Due dates for journals (applicable whether online or submitted via email or hard copy) are indicated on the course calendar. Late journal entries will not be accepted.