APSA Service Learning Conference
McKinlay & Lopez 39
APSA TL 2006 Paper Draft 1
6. Do not be afraid to use a ‘stream of consciousness’ style if stumped for something to say.
Writing a Journal Essay
Sometimes an instructor will require students to write an essay based on their journals. The
format for the essay depends on the type of essay required and the material to be included in the
journal.
1. Use a narrative form to write your essay. Divide the information into logical and well
organized paragraphs.
2. Whatever the case, do not write your essay in a “Dear Diary” form.
3. Examine your log and materials closely.
•
Draw conclusions about patterns in behavior.
•
Find patterns that confirm (or not) those you learned about in class.
4. Decide what general statement can be made and write directly concerning that statement.
5. Avoid rambling aimlessly about feelings and events. Make a point.
6. Make an important, meaningful statement about
•
Human rights/women’s rights
•
Global awareness/interconnectedness
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Transnational Feminist Networks
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How your ethical active participation contributed to the agency’s work?
•
What did you learn about yourself, strengths and limitations, through your work at
the agency?
Source: Adapted from Schmidt, Diane E. Writing in Political Science: A Practical Guide, 2
nd
ed. Longman: New York, 2000.
Convention