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6.2 Lesson: How to Write a Journal Entry
Journal Writing
Your gratitude journals are a place to personally connect and explain how
someone or something makes you feel grateful.
It has to be true and from your experiences to tell your story.
Elements of an Effective Journal Entry
In your paragraph,
Identify the specific gratitude topic. (Be specific: if the topic is “friend,”
identify the friend’s name; if the topic is “song,” identify the song’s name,
etc.)
Develop your paragraph using explanation (who or what are you grateful
for and why?) and specific, illustrative details (what anecdote or
examples from your personal experience would show your gratitude
to tell your story? how did it make you feel? what impact has this had on
your life? what sensory details, if any, could you include?
Write in 1st person (I, me, my) since the writing is about your experience
and your perspective, and edit your writing for grammar and
mechanics, showing use of varied sentence structures.
Gratitude Example Paragraphs
A few of my friends, former students, and colleagues answered different
gratitude prompts so that you would have some examples. I think they are
amazing! As you read them, think about how each writer’s unique voice
comes through and how the details create an original expression, making
the gratitude come to life on the page. Doing this creates an authentic
connection between the writer and reader.
Example Gratitude Journal #1 about a Person
Example Gratitude Journal #1 about a Pet
Example Gratitude Journal #2 about a Song
