Using a journal for
research & writing
Dannelle D. Stevens, Ph.D. [email protected] State University
Presentation for POWER faculty at Texas A & MOctober 13, 2012
A journal
Objectives To learn the rationale for journal use To know how journal keeping boosts
research and writing productivity To practice several journal writing strategies
Synergistic Combination
Increase insight, organization &
productivity
Academic
writing
Research Journal
Keeping
Key elements in research
Organization: Data, meetings, readings, conferences
Insight: Connecting ideas Creativity: Thinking of new ways to address
problems Focus: Narrowing interests Knowledge: Keeping track of current thought
Key elements in writing
Persistance, organization Production Surprise Creativity Perspective-taking,
metacognitive awareness
Practice, practice, practice
Reflection!
Why a journal 1?
• Draw, write, relate
Written
• Log, track, find
Dated
• Relax, Explore, Tinker
Informal
• Create, Dig deeper, surprise
Flexible
• No limits, worries
Private
• Save, reflect
Archival
Why a journal 2? DOORWAY TO ORGANIZING: data,
ideas, inputs PLANNING: “to do” lists CREATING WRITING SELF-ASSESSMENT
DOORWAYS TO INSIGHT!
How to use a journal I
BOUNDConnotes a book Number pages Able to find things Gridded Write, draw, diagram Table of contents Organize; Look
for patterns and linkages; Reflect on time usage; Find events quickly.
How to use a journal II
Column 1 (small)
Date ALWAYS Event People “To do” Lists Insights Questions The BANK of a River
Column 2 (large)
Minutes of the meeting Notes from a conference
presentation Diagrams of ideas, flow
charts of work Freewrites, Dialogues,
Focused Freewrites The RIVER of
experience
Where to use Meetings Conferences Airplanes In class At home At coffee shops…. Portable, personal Where else??
Let’s practice Writing blocks, Robert
Boice Work
apprehension
Procrastination Writing
apprehension Impatience Perfectionism Rules
Activity 1: Dialogue With whom can
you dialogue? With what can
you dialogue? Anything else?
D: Hello, procrastination, how are you?
Pr: Well, let me tell you about my day…
D: PR:
Let us write one. 10 minutes
Activity 2: Focused Freewrite
THINK OF A PROJECT YOU ARE WORKING ON Why do you care about this project? Why should others care? What do you know about it? What do you want to know about it? What are the key words associated with it? What would a map of it look like? What do you have to do to get it done? What obstacles will be in your way? What things, people will help you? What will you do tomorrow? Next week? AND, any other question that comes to mind
7 MINUTES, GO FOR IT!
ACTIVITY 3: Post-it Outline
Get a stack of at least 15 stickies.
Reread your focused freewrite.
Write one idea about the content of your project per stickie.
Do it fast! 12 minutes
Read ideas on stickies. Sort stickies into
groups that work together.
Get a new color stickie, write a phrase or sentence under each group.
Put the stacks in some order.
Turn to neighbor and walk them through your map.
Templates I Nature of academic writing: A tribal language In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been____.
On one hand, ______ argues _____. On the other hand, _____ contends ______. Others even maintain _______. My own view is ________.
In discussions about educational equity in Oregon, one controversial issue has been how to successfully educate all children . On one hand, we want to recognize the challenge of educating all children as educational budgets continue to dwindle. On the other hand, when we successfully educate all children, we save future social service costs including the cost of prison, crime and welfare while also benefitting from their future gainful employment. Brown & Peterson, OpED Oregonian, Sept. 19
ACTIVITY 4: Templates
In discussions of X, one controversial issue has been____. On one hand, ______ argues _____. On the other hand, _____contends ______. Others even maintain _______. My own view is ________.*****************************************************When it comes to the topic of _____________, Most of us would readily agree that ___________. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on
the question of __________. Whereas some are convinced that ________, others
maintain ________. My own position is _________.
Metaphors: A JOURNAL IS
Sketch book River and bank Art gallery Mirror GOLD MINE Not a cold start!
Thank you….USES OF A JOURNAL: Capture
experience Mull over
experience Mine experience UNIQUELY YOURS! One place!
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