This paper describes an English literature survey course in which journal keeping and abstracts are used as learning tools. Journals are useful because of the high degree of freedom and subjectivity which they allow students in writing: no assignments are given and there are no length requirements. Abstracts of articles and books that students encounter are used to encourage research and reinforce classroom discussions. An appendix includes a course syllabus and sample excerpts from the journals of students enrolled in the course. (TS)