Techniques for Journaling
Exploring yourself, exploring your world

Clustering also called mind-mapping or brainstorming. Begin with a word or phrase in the center – branch out in all directions with connected thoughts.

Collages creative play, usually with paper, scissors and tape or glue. Use visual imagery to spark your imagination as you create a collage from old magazines, photographs, or catalogs, and then use your creation as a prompt for writing.

Dreams and Imagery writing about how you feel when you wake up from having a dream, possibly in a notebook by your bed. You can revisit these entries and make additional notes, or simply document your dreams to remember.

Captured Moments detailed descriptions of specific moments of your day, noticing something wonderful about the world, or appreciating something new, looking with fresh eyes on something familiar

Dialogue written conversations with yourself to address problems or work out emotions on specific topics. You can create imagined dialogues with other people as well, to work through problems.

Lists pose a question, make a list, this quick exercise is designed to work past the obvious and help you find creative answers, inspiring you to explore those answers in your journaling

Prompts any question or idea posed to help spark an idea for your journaling and help focus your writing on a topic

Time Capsule writing about a specific time period, or documenting the current time

Unsent Letters release your pent up emotions by writing an honest and completely open letter to someone with whom you need to resolve something. Obviously, you never send an unsent letter, but it is your choice whether to save it in your journal, tear it up, or burn it

Springboards any ideas that help you explore new paths

Stream of Consciousness writing quickly without stopping, without regard for
spelling or punctuation or grammar, letting your pen follow your hand follow your
mind, this exercise works well for timed writings (10 minutes) or when trying to write
three pages

From the website: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/tricon/2003/handouts/beyond_journaling.html