What is the difference between a diary and a journal? Well, in the history of the written word, “diaries” are what we call the notebooks that women write in, while “journals” are what we call the notebooks that men have written in. (ex. “Diary of Virginia Woolf” and “Journals of Henry David Thoreau.”)

Notice that in academia, there are “Journals of __scientific inquiry___” or whatever field of study you would like to fill in the blank with. Not “Diaries of…”

It is interesting to think about each word and see what comes up within yourself. What is the difference between a diary and journal? Does one feel more valid or serious than the other? Or are they equal forms of writing?