d esigning a s uccessful a cademic j ournal presented by the fsw lee campus writing center
TRANSCRIPT
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