The Writing Journal: A Guide
Journal Requirements: The essentials…
ü Bound Composition Notebook (NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS)
ü Notebook must have at least 200 pages (100sheets)
ü If your freshmen English teacher made you keep a writing journal, you may start the year with that, but it will fill up quickly.
ü Your name and class number must be clearly visible ON THE COVER
ü Your journal must be either in the classroom, or in your possession-NEVER LEAVE IT AT HOME
ü Decorate, decorate, decorate! Your journal is yours and should reflect your personality and sense of style. Paste pictures to the cover, make it colorful, and make it YOU!
Journal Contents: What should be in it?
ü Literature Notes (stuff we discuss about the books we read)
ü Journal Prompts (questions and activities posted on the board during class or for homework to get us to read closely and think about connections to our lives and the larger world)
ü Grammar (mini-lessons, notes, and activities will take place weekly or bi-weekly-your notes and grammar sheets go in the back of your journal).
ü Non-Fiction Scrapbook (weekly articles of your choosing should be clipped and taped/pasted in your journal with your reactions to them-these articles can come from any newspaper or magazine-even Fox Lane’s)
ü Free-Writes (free writing is letting your mind run out on the paper-usually with a set time limit-these will usually take place on Fridays)
ü Creative Writing/ Personal Journaling (any writing you do on your own time should go in your journal whenever possible)
ü Pictures, Drawings, Photos, and Doodles (all are encouraged-the more creative the better)
Journal Rules: What are the boundaries?
I. Audience: I read these journals on a regular basis. Anything you write in them should be something you don’t mind me knowing. As a “mandated reporter” I have a legal and moral obligation to report anything you write that reveals danger in any form.
II. Language: Believe me; I know the value of a well-timed curse. While writing, you should feel free to express yourself in whatever way you wish. However, profanity for its own sake demonstrates immaturity and weak writing skills. If you need to curse, use the universal code for profanity: #@%&*!
III. Anonymous Insults: During personal reflections, you may occasionally bash teachers or peers. While I don’t encourage this, I understand that it will happen; I only ask that you hide the names of the people you trash.