Difference Between Journal and Diary

Journal vs Diary
 

Diaries and journals have been popular for over centuries and are used for writing and recording information about a specific person. Journals are more personal than diaries; however, both diaries and journals are generally kept private. Many people confuse journals and diaries to be the same, even though they are quite different to one another. The article that follows explains what diaries and journals are, and points out their similarities and differences.

Journal

A journal is generally more personal than a diary, and while it includes daily activities, it also has details about how the person felt during the day, about any special event or issue that came up, about a specific person or incident and how these various things made the writer feel within that day. A journal is quite emotional and private and allows the writer to express their inner feelings privately, and journals are generally meant to be kept private unless when journal writing is encouraged at schools where students may be asked to share their writing.

A journal generally has no format, does not need editing or careful planning or thinking. It is just a process of thoughts and feelings being written down as they come without restrictions. Journals are not written on a daily basis and can be written more often than daily or less often depending on the writer’s needs to express their feelings. Journals may have other items alongside writing such as pictures, poems, quotes, drawings, etc.

Diary

A diary is a book that is used to record daily activities. This means that, in a diary, the writer will write a description of how the day was spent, what was done during the day, their usual routine and anything that needs to get done additionally such as a ‘to do list’. A diary is a more disciplined form of writing where an individual will make a log of events that happened, whether it was successfully completed, whether there is additional work to carry forward, any achievements, goals and targets. Diaries are used on a daily basis; usually at the end of each day where a log of events is made. Diary writing is quite simple and can be done by anyone who wishes to record and remember how their days are spent. There are no specific skills that are necessary to maintain a diary.

What is the difference between Journal and Diary?

Journals and diaries are often confused by many to be the same. Since many people do not understand the difference, they use a single book to maintain a diary as well as a journal. However, there are a number of differences between the two. The diary is like a record of a person’s daily activities; it is much like a mini newspaper that contains details about specific events during the day. A journal is much more personal than a diary. A journal contains feelings, emotions, problems, assurances and is pretty much used to examine one’s life. Diary writing is a daily activity whereas journal writing can be done whenever the writer feels the need to write. While journal writing is generally taught at schools, diary writing can be done by anyone and does not require any skills as such.

Summary:

Journal vs Diary

• Diaries and journals have been popular for over centuries and are used for writing and recording information about a specific person.

• A diary is a book that is used to record daily activities, where the writer will write a description of how the day was spent, what was done during the day, their usual routine and anything that needs to get done additionally.

• A journal is generally more personal than a diary, and while it includes daily activities, it also has details about how the person felt during the day, about any special event or issue that came up, about a specific person or incident and how these various things made the writer feel within that day.

• Diary writing is a daily activity whereas journal writing can be done whenever the writer feels the need to write.

• While journal writing is generally taught at schools, diary writing can be done by anyone and does not require any skills as such.

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