What is the cutting journals for?

[Snorlax]

I'm confused.
I'm doing 1/2 Lang right now, and see threads about cutting journals etc.
Obviously the articles are probably used as examples in essays etc, but why is it a huge deal ?
Do you use them in the exam?

[Will0990]

Yes, you will need them in the exam if you want a top mark. The cuttings journal (or just contextualised examples in general) will be much stronger than giving generic examples in your essays to impress the examiners!

i.e. When giving an example of slang, you might refer to Kevin Rudd's use of "selfie" on instagram, rather than just using something like 'chillax'.

If you have time, start collating examples in to categories to correspond to each area of study. Namely, informal language, formal language, Australian English, Individual and Group Identities and so on. Look at the study design.

Good luck!