Using a journal for

research & writing

Dannelle D. Stevens, Ph.D. stevensd@pdx.eduPortland 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!