Name: __________________________ Number:___________ Class:_____________

Prep Intermediate Main Course- Journal Writing

This year, you will write a journal on a bi-weekly basis.
Writing these journals helps you express ideas—about a number of
topics—freely and fluently. The more you put your ideas on paper,
the more successful you will be in all areas of English. When I grade
your journals, the focus will be on content not on grammar mistakes
unless your mistakes hinder my understanding. Therefore, you need
to write as well as you can and try to use English accurately. I will
respond to your ideas, so the more content you offer, the more I’ll be
able to respond to you.
Journal expectations include the following:
1. Submit your journals on time: entries are due at 8:25AM.
2. Create a folder titled “Journals” on your “My Drive”, and add to it all year.
3. Write at least 300 words per journal, with clear, detailed ideas.
4. Write well, using English well.
5. You should type your journals using the correct format:

- Write your number and full name, teacher’s name, course name, and the date (September 23,
2020) on the left hand corner of the paper. Include a header with the page number on the top
right corner.
- Copy or type the journal prompt your teacher has shared with you on top of your paper under
your name, number, and class. The prompt should be single spaced.
- Times New Roman
- 12 font size
- Double-spaced (the whole document EXCEPT for the prompt)
- Indent paragraphs
- Leave margins on both sides.
- At the bottom, write down the word count. Remember that Google docs/ Microsoft Word can
do this for you. Do not include the journal prompt in your word count.

6. Journals must be submitted to two places: 1) Under the assignment on ConnectED 2) turnitin.com by
08:25 AM on the day it is due.
- On the version you submit to turnitin.com, you should NOT include the journal prompt;
otherwise, it will be reported as plagiarised.
7. I will be marking the mistakes in your sentences. You should review your mistakes and try to fix
them: this is your responsibility as a learner! You will be expected to not repeat the same mistakes in
the upcoming journals.
8. Be creative in your writing style. Feel free to decorate your journals and share photos if they are
relevant to the topic.

You and I will communicate in these exchanges. For most students, the journal writing experience is
enjoyable and thought-provoking. Have fun!

Prep Intermediate Main Course:

Journal Rubric
 Length Paragraphing Content Use of MLA Format
Language

-Not handed in -Not handed in -Not handed in -Not handed in - Not handed in
0
-Less than 200 -No paragraphing -Does not answer -Mistakes in -Format is
1 words most of the language use mostly incorrect
questions hinder
understanding

-Between 200 -Paragraphing is -Has missing -Use of -Several

2 and 250 words unclear. answers to the language is formatting
questions generally mistakes
accurate

-Between 251 -Paragraphing is -All questions are -Use of -Format is

3 and 275 words used, but not answered but not language is generally correct
effectively. with enough depth mostly accurate

-Between 276 -Paragraphs are -All questions are -Use of -Format is

4 and 300 words well-organized.The answered with language is accurate
text includes at least some depth accurate
three paragraphs.

-More than 300 -Paragraph usage -All questions are -Use of -Format is
5 words enhances meaning. answered with language is completely
The text includes at depth and insightful always clear and accurate
least three details accurate
paragraphs.

Deductive points:

● Your journal will not be assessed if you do not submit it to turnitin.com, or if it is partly or completely
plagiarized.
● You will lose 1 point for each day late that your journal is submitted.
Ex: If you write a perfect journal, but submit it two days late, the highest grade you can get is a 3.

Directions: Read the sentences in the boxes and find the mistakes. Label them using the symbols or
abbreviations from the box on the left in one color, and then correct the mistake using a different color.

Handwritten Typed Meaning Examples

Correction Correction
Symbol Abbreviation

CAP Capitalization I didn’t do well on the teog exam.

X X Unnecessary We went to the a cinema last night.

WW WW Wrong word She asked me to open the lights.

SVA SVA Subject-Verb The children is so excited for the party.

Agreement

VT VT Verb Tense Ten years ago she is 14 years old.

SP SP Spelling That was a strange think to say.

WF/POS WF/POS Word Form/ My friend is very determination.

Part of Speech

^ MW Missing Word My favorite hobby is listening music.

SG SG Singular There was a children was playing in the garden.

PL PL Plural The girl screamed, “Eeeeeek!” because there were

many mouse.

PUN Punctuation In my opinion its terrible to be an only child

? ? Unclear My sister is the most sportif person I know.

Meaning

PAR New I think he was wrong. In conclusion, the war was

Paragraph fought for a silly reason. If Paris cared about his
family, he would not have chosen Helen. Therefore, he
is my least favorite character in the story.

WO Word Order I didn’t know what was I going to do.