Eng 208 UI Fall 19

1. THE PERSONAL JOURNAL
Engl 208 Personal and Exploratory Writing
University of Idaho; Fall ’19 (Malone)
Prompt:
Maybe you already practice writing and journaling regularly, or maybe you only write when
classes require you to. Either way, this class asks you to develop writerly habits that can help
you better understand the role writing can play in your life. One widely acknowledged habit is
to keep a personal journal – a notebook, a diary, etc. Your journal can be a place for you to plan
and organize your assignments, or it can consist of notes and thoughts from your day. Really,
you can use your journal to write about almost anything. I only ask that you make writing a
regular practice!
During our second week of class, we will read and discuss an excerpt from May Sarton’s well-
known published diary, Journal of a Solitude. By analyzing Sarton’s journal, we will begin to see
how regular writing practice not only documents everyday life but can even become its own
long-term writing project. We will also read the chapter, “The Power of the Notebook,” which
discusses the purpose of journaling and provide prompts that might help you get started.
Requirements:
For this semester-long assignment, you will write five (5) journal entries every week for a total
of seventy (70) entries at the end of class. The entries should be written on different days. Please
use the site penzu.com to begin your journal. The site is free and easy to use. Plus, you can send
me a screenshot of your archived entries. The screenshot is important! Because this is personal
writing, I want to respect the privacy of your journal. I will not read all your entries, but every
unit I will ask you to send me a screenshot of your archived entries so that I can make sure you
are using the journal regularly.
There are no requirements for length and content. Truly, I want you to use the journal to
experiment! Try writing exercises, document your day, prepare your coursework, etc. It’s up to
you, but please take advantage of the journal as a space to explore and reflect. Make it useful for
yourself.
If you already have your own journaling site or want to keep a physical notebook, email me at
btmalone@uidaho.edu. We can arrange an alternative way for you to get credit.
Grading:
The notebook is worth 100 points, or 10% of your grade. If you write five entries per week,
starting in week two, for a total of seventy entries, you will get credit. You will lose credit
according to the late work policy for submitting your journal late. You will also lose credit for
incomplete journals. Each entry is worth just under 1.5 points.