Throughout the semester I had the experience of collecting quotes from various articles and books read in class. It helped me understand and have my own approach to all the topics discussed in the classroom. I was the author of my own thoughts. I picked out quotes that related to me or that I felt really highly about. Instead of taking dialectical notes, I wrote paragraphs on how the topic affected me and how I felt about the article. When we were having class discussions, it was easier to take part in discussions because I had my own point of view. It made it easier to participate in class because I had already done my research and had a topic to speak about. The journal really helped me take part in classroom discussion and I also understood what others in my class were talking about. Their approaches seemed clearer to me. It is overwhelming to get so many readings in a short period of time. But if there is an organized way of reading and writing it is a lot easier. And that is what the journal summations did for me. I was organized and well read. To me, this was a great way to incorporate free write with school work. We had the freedom of expressing what we really felt about the article and the books. Time to time I did not agree with the article but usually I agreed with the article or books. During the free writes I felt comfortable to voice any opinions I had about the articled, book, or the author. Overall the experience I had with the journal summations was positive. I enjoyed writing about topics that I felt were important. It gave me the opportunity to voice my opinion while doing a writing activity. Free write is a great way to motivate students to write more often. Not only were the journals beneficial to me but it made me see a new way of motivating my students to participate in writing activities.