Task 2b:

So I have tried out some of the different ways to write a journal. These are some of the things I found with each technique.......

Description- I found to be quite formal and not how I think of reflective writing. It's a very 'matter of fact' way of writing which meant I found myself writing about my day without truly thinking about it. It's a good way to state facts but I really think it's the basic entry to reflective writing.

Initial Reflection- was probably one of the techniques I was most familiar with. It's a way I've always reflected in my head without actually realising it. This was the first time I had got any of these thoughts down onto paper and it was really helpful way of being able to look deeper into a certain thought. It's also great to be able to look back on your thoughts.

List- was great way of getting my thoughts and feelings down quickly and effectively without waffling on too much. The only thing I found difficult was once I had made my initial list of thoughts, it was hard to be able to go back and extend on them. I felt as if I was bouncing from thought to thought.

Evaluation- made me learn a lot about the way I work. It gave me a chance to criticise myself in a constructive manner and learn what I need to do more of and work hard on and what I need to change about myself.

Graphs, Charts and Diagrams- I didn't find very useful personally. I seemed to be concentrating more on how it looked and the colours I used than the actual information. I found it impossible to compare my current feelings to how I may of felt in the past through percentage. I think for this to work for me I would have to draw a chart/ diagram each day and then maybe each week or month look at what had changed and what had stayed the same.

What if- I found to be positive and negative. I didn't just look at what I would love to happen but what I would hate to happen as well. It was a very interesting way of looking at possibilities. I had some fun being adventurous with my thoughts.

Another view- Was very interesting and useful for me. As I'm very self conscious person it was good to be able to think about how people may view me in a deeper way than just my appearance.

My ending thoughts were......

I think the best way to write a journal and to truly use reflection to its full potential is to use a combination of all the techniques you find useful to you. Don't feel you should stick to one! To be able to look at as many aspects of yourself can surely only be of benefit?? One thing I did learn was to not get to bogged down in any bad or lows points but to use them to your advantage and learn from them. The techniques I will continue using most of will be Initial Reflection, List and Evaluation.