Should student learning journals be assessed?

This article addresses the controversial question of whether student learning journals should be assessed. It draws on a collaborative action research project into the uses of learning journals at the University of Sussex in which assessment was continually debated. The characteristics of learning journals in terms of pedagogic purpose, outcome and student writing identity are explored as a basis for looking at the advantages and disadvantages of summative and formative assessment of this ‘different’ form of writing. In conclusion, ‘compromise’ solutions to the question are proposed.