Genre and Conventions of Journals

Journal 1

First journal I chose to pick out is that of my sister. She is a true journal writer and was the first persona I chose to ask to check out her journal since I am so new to this. Over all I thought I would find many similarities perhaps between her and my journaling style. For one we both love the power or image and hers is filled with mixed pictures collages and messages that mean a lot to here. That is something I kind have started going on my blog where I post a photo with my blog every time. Some of which are even private and I am not allowed to look at those ones.

The book itself is made of transparent paper bound by a hard clover that is textured like the scales of an alligator. I found this to be an interesting choice for something that is to hold so much inside, and be somewhat of a safe haven. I also found it interesting that her journal is so big it’s massive slightly bigger than an 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper. It seems like this journal is mainly were my sister stores ideas for her life long passions and dreams. She loves surfing and wants to live in different countries all of this is depicted in either writing on in image form. It’s more entertaining just to flip through then anything.

As far as were actual writing goes however it is very deep and is always talking to her own self. I see that now and it makes a lot of sense having a sense of being and belonging is very important in knowing the world around you. My journal is kind of the same just more casual she goes in depth with everything, drawings, paintings, essays, and small poems. Over all I think that the most informal journaling styles can yield themselves to be the most powerful as well as be more fun to read. If the journal writer lets you, I just so happened to get lucky enough to read my sisters.

Journal 2

Next I looked back on one of my favorite books ever. It’s Not About The Bike, by Lance Armstrong. It’s his personal journal recounting the struggle of competing in a world-renowned bike race while battling cancer at the same time. However upon revisiting it I realized that this kind of journal was one that was not as personal as my sisters. Not be cause the writing was less interesting or important to me, but because since its mass-produced it loses some of its special unique qualities.

For me this falls in to the genre of collaborative journaling because though it is years of journaling compacted into a full piece. The book has been honed and edited time and time again. To me form my first week journaling this would seem great for academic standards but I feel the essence of a journal is to let the ideas and emotions flow, while disregarding all focus on making sure it all looks good as well as having to let some grammar errors slip by. At least to me that what I have felt is the basic notion that separated journaling from formal writing.

By modern standards the book is a rather appealing book however with easy to find chapters, nice thick pages, and even the print does take of the page in an intimidating manner. There is an even a small section of images towards the center of the book for reference and to me I think this is hat makes this most like a journal. As I mentioned before I feel like images can be very helpful in telling a story even if it is to you. My mind can remember images easier than the writing I have written in the past for sure.

Journal 3

Lastly I examined something rather personal to myself, and that is the journal of my girlfriend. She periodically write about and glue in photos of our experiences and share this with me every once and a while. It’s a small little book with yellow pages held together by a small elastic band. The look, size, and texture of the journal is very cute and speaks for its self when one reads what is inside. Clearly a very personal place to be writing contrary to the two other two mentioned above.

Though there is little to no writing inside they are much more sentimental and in chronological order making the nostalgia effect very prominent. I feel like this is the most creative way to journal is to show rather than tell at least if it is for someone else. If it is like my sisters where it is personal then it could be executed otherwise. But again it all depends on what works best for the persona writing the journal. The size is another thing worth noting it is the smallest of all three journals and yet holds more images than either of the others. I found that interesting because generally picture books are larger.

Over all seeing the types of journals and what constitutes being a journal was really cool to take the time and explore. I feel like my journaling is at its most basic point now but could totally see it developing into something like what I have looked over in the last few days. The primary component I feel is the creativity that is put our and the passion for the writing you are producing. Passion is and always will be something that drives me wherever I go.