The Grinnell Format

The Grinnell Format follows certain conventions that make it easier towrite up observations and other to read them. Once you begin usingthese conventions they will quickly become automatic. Following theseguidelines have improved my journal entries 100%.


Duration
Each journal should cover one calendar year.

Margins
3 cm (1 3/16 inches) on left side of sheet and top


Date
day-month-year (example - 01 June 2008).
All four components of the system are written based on one full calendaryear. One year per notebook, journal, catalog and species account. Usethe day-month-year format to eliminate confusion.


Time
24-hour clock (example - 1408 is 2:08 p.m.) Remember to note timechanges, such as daylight savings time.

Page Numbers
All pages should be numbered.

They can be number consecutively thorough all the observer's journals,where the first journal starts with page one and the numbers continuewith each new journal. Say, the first journal has page numbers 1through 218. Then the next year's journal would start with page number219.

Or each new journal can start with page one.

Write on one side of the sheet only
I think since must people are right handed, most people write on theright side of the page only. I suppose lefties could do the opposite.writing on one side makes sure the ink doesn't "ghost" or "shadow" onthe other side making the writing hard to read. Also, it leaves theopposite page for sketches, drawing, maps, photos, etc.

Species lists should be written at the end of a journal entry.
Sometimes, in our journals we make a list of blooming plants, birdsseen, etc. These list should be placed at the end of a journal entryafter the day's account has been written.

Numbers
Use the numeral instead of the word. Example: use "1" instead of "one".

Abbreviations
Avoid them. Instead use the full word, because later you may forgetwhat them mean. Also, anyone who reads your journal or notes after youmay not know what the abbreviations mean.

Underline species names
Scientific species names should be underlined with a straight line.Common names with wavy line. This may seem a bother, but I have foundit is very useful when I want to makeend-of-the-year-what-did-I-see species list.

Write in full sentences.
You should be able to lift a quote or full sentence right from thejournal entry and use it in a publication.

Write with a pen.
Write with a acid-free, archival, water-resistant ink pen. Micron,Pilot G7 and Stafford Uniball are good brands.


Grinnell System Overview
Observation Checklist
Field Notebook
Field Journal
Species Account
Catalog

From Grinnell Format Return to Grinnell Journal System