The logic and the benefits of requiring college students in basic speech communication classes to tape-record oral journals are set forth along with a detailed description of the assignment. Instructions to the students explain the mechanics of the assignment as follows: (1) obtain and properly label a quality cassette tape; (2) make seven extemporaneous, three-minute entries during the semester; (3) listen to the instructor's critique of the first two entries so that the final five entries can be improved; and (4) include observation, analysis, and application as parts of each entry. The difficulty of establishing criteria for grading is discussed as are the benefits of the oral journal to the professor as well as to the student. (EM)