How do you want to express yourself?
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How you structure your thoughts depends on which method you are using to document them.
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As a Written Journal
Benefits This is the traditional solution, and will appeal to some for that reason.
This is the most portable method. No computer needed. Write thoughts as they come to you, anywhere you happen to be. After the fact, the diary can always be transcribed into a text file... and all the benefits of that format (below). Format Chronological... the typical diary. Write the thoughts as they come; occasionally go back and reread. Let the thoughts ferment, and revisit them in new entries. As a Text File
Benefits On the fly editing is perfect for developing thoughts--going back and modifying ideas as you think them through.
Your electronic file is also portable, and can be worked on from any computer. It can be saved online in various ways and used on any computer at will. Should you want to turn your document into a printed, bound volume, you're all set, as many publishers online and in the "physical" world work from basic text files. The electronic file is private when you want it private, public if you choose to make it public. Can be sent to your best friend on the other side of the country in a matter of seconds! Format Here we recommend structure by theme. Write a reflection, decide it's topic, and give it a descriptive title or heading As a Blog
Benefits This is the public route. Allow others to see your thoughts, comment on them, and make recommendations. Perhaps the perspectives of others is the fresh perspective you need to work through a problem.
You can also cross-reference with posting tags, and now there are online publishers that will convert your blog to a printed volume for a (relatively) small fee. Format Well, it is a blog, so it is everything that entails. Posts often appear in reverse-chronological order and editing after the fact is tricky. But you can instead "revisit" topics over and over, and comparing the different takes after the fact can be interesting. Meditations can't be too long, but the length of a typical blog post seems to be just right length anyway! |
Writing Style: Essays or Aphorisms!
Documenting a philosophical observation does not have to be time consuming, difficult... or even overly brilliant! Write what's on your mind and write just enough to make the point. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was an advocate of the aphorism: a
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Nietzsche's aphoristic writing style (Courtesy of Google Books)
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full, rounded idea contained in a short, concise, statement. Beginning writers think that complicated writing is good writing. Actually, straightforward writing is good writing.
Here are some of the things Nietzsche had to say for the aphorism: “In the mountains, the shortest way is from peak to
peak: but for that, you need long legs. Aphorisms should be peaks: and those to whom they are spoken, big and tall.” “The aphorism in which I am the first master [...] are the forms of "eternity"; my ambition is to say in ten sentences what everyone else says in a book --what everyone else does not say in a book.” “He who writes in blood and aphorisms does not want to be read, he wants to be learned by heart.” Most of Nietzsche's writings are aphoristic (see example, left). Each section starts with a title that identifies the topic of that section; sections and grouped together my the wider subject. A great way to organize a philosophical journal!
Thus Spake You recommends the format so much, it's named after Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathrustra! Here, the title character, Zarathrustra, makes aggrandized philosophical proclamations--the style is somewhat satirical, yet the book contains serious philosophy, written in the aphoristic style. |
Of course, after documenting an idea, you can continue to come back to it, revising and editing, expanding on the original idea... this is how you journal develops into a larger work of art! Just remember: write enough to say what you want to say, and no more!
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