English: Grade 4
Writing: Writing a Diary
WRITING A DIARY
A diary (also called a journal) is a personal record of events or
happenings, as well as thoughts and emotions. Anyone can write
a diary. They are a great way to keep track of things that have
happened to you in the past, as well as to think about your future.
The most important thing to remember with a diary entry is that
it is a personal expression of the experience of the day.
Ultimately, the way you choose to write is up to you, but there
are some pointers that can assist with writing a diary.
Remember:
•
Date each entry in your dairy so that you can follow the events chronologically (in date
order).
•
Write in the first person (I, me, my), as it is a record of your own experiences.
•
Generally a diary is not read by anyone else, but your teacher will be looking at it for the
activity. Think about what you would like to share with your teacher and possibly your class,
and what you would like to keep private.
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English: Grade 4
Writing: Writing a Diary
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You can use informal language when writing your diary.
•
Use the past tense for events that have already happened and the present tense for events that
are happening as you write.
•
Use punctuation such as question and exclamation marks.
•
Use short, simple sentences.
•
Be honest when writing your diary.
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English: Grade 4
Writing: Writing a Diary
Example of a Diary Entry
Look at the examples below from famous diaries. ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ is a real diary
written during the Second World War whilst ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾’ is
fictional (not real).
The Diary of Anne Frank
http://www.annefrank.com/who-is-anne-frank/diaryexcerpts/
Anne Frank was a young girl who wrote her diary during
the Second World War. She and her family were hiding
in the attic of a building, entirely reliant on others to
bring them food. Because they were Jewish, they were in
danger of being killed by the Nazis.
Below she describes the deportations of Jews, who were
put on trains and sent to transit camps like Westerbork:
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The Original Diary of Anne Frank, on Display
at the Anne Frank Centre, Berlin, Germany
Wikimedia Creative Commons,
Attribution Share-Alike: Rodrigo Galindez
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English: Grade 4
Writing: Writing a Diary
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English: Grade 4
Writing: Writing a Diary
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole is fiction (not real). It was written by Sue Townsend and tells
the story of a young boy aged 13 ¾. It is very funny. Some of the entries are written as poems.
http://www.suetownsend.co.uk/books/secret-diary-of-adrian-mole-aged-13
The Tap (Tuesday, 13 January - Secret Diary)
The tap drips and keeps me awake,
In the morning there will be a lake.
For the want of a washer the carpet will spoil,
Then for another my father will toil.
My father could snuff it while he is at work.
Dad, fit a washer, don't be a burk!
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