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Using a journal for research & writing. Dannelle D. Stevens, Ph.D. stevensd@pdx.edu Portland State University Presentation for POWER faculty at Texas A & M October 13, 2012. A journal. Objectives. To learn the rationale for journal use
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Using a journal forresearch & writing Dannelle D. Stevens, Ph.D. stevensd@pdx.edu Portland State University Presentation for POWER faculty at Texas A & M October 13, 2012
Objectives • To learn the rationale for journal use • To know how journal keeping boosts research and writing productivity • To practice several journal writing strategies
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 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) 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 • Date ALWAYS • Event • People • “To do” Lists • Insights • Questions • The BANK of a River
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!