Principlev1PR-1946
Structure reflective writing tasks with specific prompts…
Structure reflective writing tasks with specific prompts targeting causal connections rather than allowing free-form emotional expression, because causal narrative construction produces measurable benefit while unstructured venting does not.
Why This Is a Principle
Grounded in Generative Externalization (writing is generative, not transcriptive) and Externalization Exposes Hidden Structure (externalization exposes gaps). The lesson cites Pennebaker's research showing that 'participants who improved used increasing numbers of causal words' and that 'narrative construction' rather than 'catharsis' drives benefit. This prescribes HOW to structure writing interventions—a derived principle about effective practice design.