"Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid." -Chesterton
Journals
It is important to realize the difference between a diary and a journal. Diaries tend to be a more light-hearted form of writing, listing events from the day. Journals tend to dig deeper and answer the "why" about the event of the day. Journals can record events, but they also show the writer's thinking and philosophy of life. If you're writing entries as you would a diary, you'll soon find writing to be a drudgery and boring. Write your journals introspectively and about life's mysteries, and you'll find out you are more interesting than you thought. Shoot for 200 words.
Daily Journal Entry
- The quality of our character is often reflected in how much we are willing to sacrifice for others. Describe a time when you sacrificed for someone else.
- Movies and books often deal with the theme of "counting your blessings." Tell about an experience that led you to appreciate someone that you had taken for granted.
- Sometimes something negative turns out to be positive, "a blessing in disguise." Describe a moment in your life when something bad turned out to be good.
- Some people have said that truth is stranger than fiction. Tell about an experience you have had or someone you know that is a good example of this.
- Tell me about your favorite music, songs, groups etc. Why do you like them? Which songs or lyrics mean something to you and why?
- 1. Sometimes lies can have serious consequences. Describe a time when a lie had major consequences for you.
- 2. Some of our richest experiences happen when we travel. Tell about a memorable experience you had when you were traveling.
- 3. The first time we try something can be exciting, frightening, and enlightening. Tell about an important "first" in you life and what you learned from the experience.
- 4. Describe living in Linton to someone from a "big" city.
- 5. Describe a family celebration that has a special meaning to you.
- 6. Describe your vision of an ideal vacation
- 7. What is you all-time favorite movie. Tell about it and persuade someone to see it.
- 8. Today there are more and more reality shows on TV. Do they make for good television or should programming start changing?
| Literary Terms | [−] |
Literary Terms
- ABECEDARIUS
- ABSTRACT DICTION
- ACCENT
- ACCENTUAL VERSE
- ACROSTIC
- ACT
- AESTHETICISM
- ALEXANDRINE
- ALLEGORY
- ALLUSION
- AMBIGUITY
- AMERICAN RENAISSANCE
- ANAPEST
- ANECDOTE
- ANTAGONIST
- ANTICLIMAX
- ANTIHERO
- ANTITHESIS
- APOSTROPHE
- APPRENTICESHIP NOVEL
- ARCHAISM
- ARCHETYPE
- ARENA THEATER
- ASIDE
- ASSONANCE
- ASSONANCE
- ASTHETICS
- ATMOSPHERE
- AUDITORY IMAGERY
- AUGUSTAN AGE
- AUTHORIAL INTRUSION
Contemporary Concern
"Everything I have said and done in these last years is relativism....If relativism signifies contempt for fixed categories and men who claim to be the bearers of an objective, immortal truth...then there is nothing more relativistic than Fascist attitudes and activity.... [T]he modern relativist infers that everybody has the right to create for himself his own ideology and to attempt to enforce it with all the energy of which he is capable." [Mussolini, Diuturna, pp. 374-377, cited in Henry Veatch, Rational Man, 1962, p. 41].
