Diaries and journals have been popular for centuries, serving as tools for writing and recording information about a specific person. While both diaries and journals are typically kept private, they are often confused as being the same thing, even though they have distinct differences.
Key Takeaways
- A journal is more personal than a diary and includes not only daily activities but also details about the writer’s feelings and emotions during the day.
- A diary is a book used to record daily activities, with the writer describing how their day was spent and any additional tasks that need to be done.
- Diary writing is a daily activity, while journal writing can be done whenever the writer feels the need to express their thoughts and feelings.
A journal is generally more personal than a diary, encompassing not only daily activities but also detailing the writer’s feelings and emotions during the day. Journals often include information about special events, issues, or incidents, and how they affected the writer. They provide an outlet for the writer to express their inner feelings privately and are typically meant to be kept private, except when journal writing is encouraged in school settings, where students may be asked to share their writing.
Journals have no specific format and do not require editing, careful planning, or thought. They are simply a record of thoughts and feelings as they occur, without restrictions. They may be written more or less frequently than daily, depending on the writer’s needs, and may include other items such as pictures, poems, quotes, or drawings alongside the writing.
In contrast, a diary is a book used to record daily activities. The writer will describe how their day was spent, their usual routine, and any additional tasks that need to be completed, such as a “to-do” list. Diary writing is more disciplined, with the individual logging events, achievements, goals, and targets. Diaries are used daily, typically at the end of each day, to create a log of events. Anyone can write a diary, and no specific skills are required.
Despite their differences, many people use a single book to maintain both a diary and a journal since they do not understand the distinction between the two. A diary is akin to a mini newspaper, detailing specific events that occurred during the day, while a journal is more personal, containing feelings, emotions, problems, and assurances and is used to examine one’s life. Diary writing is a daily activity, while journal writing can be done whenever the writer feels the need. Journal writing is generally taught in schools, while diary writing can be done by anyone and does not require any specific skills.
