DESIGNING A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC JOURNAL

Presented by the FSW Lee Campus Writing Center

A WELL-WRITTEN JOURNAL IS A TOOL

It helps you practice your thought process from the abstract, which is the question, to your own thoughts, perceptions, and opinions which lead you to new ideas.

WHAT AN ACADEMIC JOURNAL ISN’T

A List of Tasks is NOT an academic journal

Go to the store and buy shoes Go to the bakery for cookies Don’t forget to make a dental appointment

A Diary is NOT an academic journal

“I had a wonderful time on my date with Roger last night. We went to the movies in Ft. Myers, and then we went out for a pizza (I had plain cheese) and then we went to his brother’s house and played Scrabble with his family. I got home at midnight.”

A RESEARCH PAPER IS NOT AN ACADEMIC JOURNAL

Research papers ask you to look for information about a subject and then write a paper using citations and a Works Cited list.

You NEVER use the word “I” in a research paper.

You NEVER talk about your feelings or thoughts in a research paper.

AN ACADEMIC JOURNAL ASKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT AN EXPERIENCE.

You DO name the experience You answer: Who? What? Where? When?

How? Why? You DO use “I” when it makes sense You DO share FEELINGS You DO share THOUGHTS You DO analyze the EXPERIENCE You DO provide DETAILS

CRITICAL THINKING JOURNAL RUBRIC The criteria are

Clarity,

Accuracy,

Relevance,

Significance, and

Logic

The range is

Exemplary,

Accomplished,

Developing,

Beginning

CLARITY:

The journal entry abides by the format guidelines and the use of Standard English grammar and mechanics is nearly flawless and contributes to the exceptional readability and clarity of the critical thinking reflection

Grammar, punctuation, spelling, presenting ideas clearly

ACCURACY

The assumptions and assertions are explicitly stated and they are justifiable based upon facts, expert opinions, and relevant personal experiences included in the reflection.

Specific details, examples, and support for statements

RELEVANCE

All information is related to the topic and illuminates the issues and/or problem addressed in the entry.

Staying on topic All examples, details, citations, etc. relate

directly to the topic.

SIGNIFICANCE

The entry is exceptional at focusing on the most important information, ideas, and concepts of the issue under discussion.

The information supplied clearly explains the answer to the question.

The information presented answers the question, “Why is this important?”

LOGIC

The ideas are logically connected and flow well. The entry contains thorough and thoughtful conclusions that have emerged from analysis and evaluations.

Organization

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Read the professor’s instructions

Read them again

Pay attention to prompts (questions within the instructions)

Write your comments in the same order as the prompts

Use academic grammar skills

Spell check and grammar check

Read it to yourself after you’ve written it but also before you give it to your professor.

USING THE QUESTION/PROMPT IN YOUR ANSWER…

How do you plan to pay college tuition? “ I plan to pay my college tuition by filing for

financial aid and getting a part-time job.”

Is it better for you to live on campus? “It is better for me to live on campus because I

will be close to student resources and will have a better chance of getting to class on-time.”

How can you improve your study skills? I can improve my study skills by attending

workshops and finding quiet areas to study.

JOURNAL1:

Reflect and analyze why you are attending college. What motivated you to enroll? What goals do you hope to achieve?

I was 26 years old with four children and a failing marriage when I decided to

begin college. I was working long hours as a waitress to help support my

household and realized I would need to find a career that would provide both

more income and more time to be with my children. I observed that Psychology

offered many levels of jobs. College was the key to that career.

Reflect and Analyze Why You are Attending College

I was 26 years old with four children and a failing marriage when I decided to

begin college. I was working long hours as a waitress to help support my

household and realized I would need to find a career that would provide both

more income and more time to be with my children. I observed that Psychology

offered many levels of jobs. College was the key to that career.

Reflect and Analyze Why You are Attending College

I chose Florida SouthWestern State College because it offered flexibility

and was the least expensive. My children were the strongest motivators as

I began this project. They came to realize that by working together we

would have the best chance of building a new and better lifestyle.

What Motivated You to Enroll?

I chose Florida SouthWestern State College because it offered flexibility

and was the least expensive. My children were the strongest motivators as

I began this project. They came to realize that by working together we

would have the best chance of building a new and better lifestyle.

What Motivated You to Enroll?

My goal is to complete my AA degree at FSW in two years by combining

traditional and on-line classes while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.

I will then transfer to FGCU and earn a BS in Psychology. Then I will be

able to work in the field at an entry level job while I pursue a MS and

ultimately earn a Ph.D.

What Goals do You Hope to Achieve?

My goal is to complete my AA degree at FSW in two years by combining

traditional and on-line classes while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.

I will then transfer to FGCU and earn a BS in Psychology. Then I will be

able to work in the field at an entry level job while I pursue a MS and

ultimately earn a Ph.D.

What Goals do You Hope to Achieve?

WRITE ONE PARAGRAPH GIVING ADVICE TO A NEW STUDENT ABOUT HOW TO TAKE NOTES AND PREPARE FOR TESTS AS A COLLEGE STUDENT.

What did the writer do well?

How could the writer improve?

What could be added to improve this paragraph?

Discuss with your group…

If you are going to attend college, it may require

taking several notes and studying to prepare for

tests. Some students have a hard time doing so.

All you need is a little direction and you will be

able to succeed.

From my personal experience, taking notes

enables you to utilize that information when you

study. It is very simple to take notes. Keep your

attention on the reason that you are studying for.

Studying and taking notes are incorporated with

each other because you must remember that to

study, you need all the information you can get.

Use highlighters, sticky notes, and other office

supplies to organize yourself.

When you study, it is essential to put time aside to study in a

designated area with no disturbance. If you are studying for

a long period of time, taking fifteen minute breaks in fifty

minute intervals helps to refresh your brain. Some people do

not have as much time to study as others. Every minute

counts. The most important thing to remember about

studying and taking notes is that it is all about time and

effort. If you put in your all, you are bound to reach for the

stars.

WHERE TO GET HELP?

VISIT the Lee Campus FSW WRITING CENTER

J BuildingSecond floor of Rush Library

Summer HoursMonday-Thursday: 8:00am-8:30pm

Friday: 8:00am-4:00pmSaturday: 10:00am-4:00pm