Journal Writing, part 2

I use a grading system that makes the journals easy to grade. In my class, a full page is given ten points (ten being the maximum per page). However, I’m a stickler; the students must write a full page, right down to the last line on the paper. I do allow the top eight lines for brainstorming, though I don’t always require it. Students are always allowed to use the brainstorming lines if they wish.

I require at least one page at each journaling session, which lasts from ten to fifteen minutes. Students are required to write constantly until the time is up, or until they reach a full page. However, before they are allowed to go on to another activity, they must show me their completed work. Students may also write more than a page for extra credit. I give out ten points for each full page beyond those required. For example, we may have three journal sessions in a week, so the weekly grade is out of thirty points. If a student completes five full pages, their score is fifty points, twenty of them extra credit!

I don’t mind offering the extra credit, since usually the ones who take advantage of this are your A students anyway. And since I want to promote as much writing as possible, I strongly encourage every student to write for extra credit.

Journals are the only form of writing that I allow to be done outside of class. Mostly this is because I allow students to write for extra credit (only promoting more writing!)

Students are allowed to share their writing with the class afterward, though no one is required to share. I tell the class they may read all or just part of their writing, or just tell about it. The remainder of the students are allowed to keep writing during the sharing time, and must stop when there are no more to share.

I strongly believe students should be allowed to keep their journals when the year is finished. For many students, putting down their private thoughts in class can lead to a lifetime of writing.

If you’d like to check out a list of journaling topics, check our website at the following quick link:

Again, you may feel free to use any or all of these, and they may lead you to think of many others of your own. You can also use any of our Weekly Writing Prompts from issues of our newsletter. I encourage you to send along your own topics to add to our calendar.