Making Economic Principles Personal: Student Journals and Reflection Papers

Abstract: The authors address two informal writing assignments implemented in introductory economics classes. One assignment involves students writing short reflection papers, and the other assignment involves students writing short journal entries for a designated period of time. Both assignments are designed to help students realize that economics is directly pertinent to their daily lives. Pedagogical issues related to both the benefits to students and the benefits and costs to faculty who implement the assignments are discussed. These assignments can provide beneficial insights to newer faculty members, who are adjusting to university and local community life, and contribute to developing new course material of perceived relevance to students.