DiaryExample Exclamation markExtract Features ParagraphPast tense

Personal toneRhetorical questionSelf reflectionShort sentenceSoldier TechniqueTraumatic

Write these words in your spelling booklet.

Diary WritingDiary Writing

In groups, can you write five questions that can be answered with the words “diary writing”?

Think about the features of diary writing, or what type of writing and words you would expect to see in a diary.

Read the extract from “The Diary of a Young Soldier in World War 1”.

14 April 1915

I’m home on leave. It’s good to be back and seeing everyone.

I haven’t written anything for a long time because I haven’t had the heart to. We’re hearing bad things from the Front in France. Terrible battles with thousands killed and no land gained. Poison gas used. Jack’s letters to Mam and Dad don’t say much except that he’s keeping as well as can be expected, whatever that means. When I read them, I feel a shiver. It’s mostly fun with my mates in the army now, but will it always be like this?

15 April 1915

Jack turned up on leave today. He’s only here for a few days, because though his leave is nine days long, it took him three days to get here. He brought his rifle and pack with him, but he wouldn’t let me look at the rifle.

“Leave it alone,” he shouted. “I didn’t bring it here for fun.” I only wanted to see what a really good new one was like. He looks twenty years older.

20 April 1915

He left yesterday. Seeing him go was the worst moment of our lives. He looked so unhappy. I wish I knew what he was feeling. I didn’t sleep all night for thinking about him. I’m going back to Llandudno today. Jack not talking hasn’t made me feel very happy about it.

23 April 1915

Back in Llandudno, to find news waiting. We’re leaving Wales and going back north to Ripon Camp in Yorkshire.

“A real army camp at last,” Sergeant Pickering told us. “And may God help you.” No more free sweets in the morning, no more seaside piers to guard. Ah well!

In groups, check your five questions that give the answer “diary writing”.

Is there anything you want to change or add?

Diary WritingFeatures Checklist

Date –Shows which day the diary entry is about.

First person - Writer is writing about himself.

Past tense - Writer writes about what has happened.

Personal tone - We can almost hear the writer speaking.

Self-reflection - Writer writes about their feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears.

Rhetorical question - The writer asks questions about what is happening.

Short sentence - Used to emphasise the writer’s words.

Exclamation mark - Used to emphasise the writer’s words.

Paragraphs - Used when a new time, place, person or topic is written about.

In groups, fold a sheet of A4 paper in half.

In the first column, make a list of the features of diary writing.

Diary features

DateFirst personPast tensePersonal tone Self reflectionRhetorical questionShort sentenceExclamation markParagraphs

In the second column, find an example of each diary writing technique in the text.

Diary features Example from the text

DateFirst personPast tensePersonal tone Self reflectionRhetorical questionShort sentenceExclamation markParagraphs

Date –First person -

14th April 1915I haven’t written anything for a long time.

Past tense - Sergeant Pickering told us.

Personal tone - It’s mostly fun with my mates in the army.

Self-reflection - He looked so unhappy. I wish I knew what he was feeling.

Rhetorical question –

Will it always be like this?

Short sentence –

He left yesterday.

Exclamation mark –

Ah well!

Paragraphs -

…… It’s good to be back and seeing everyone. I haven’t written anything for a long time ……

What does the word traumatictraumatic mean?

Shocking, Hurtful,

Disturbing, Harrowing,

Upsetting, Painful,

Distressing,

Task Write your own diary entry for

one traumatic day.

NameForm

Diary Writing Date

Include the date of the day,Write in the first person,Write in the past tense,Use a personal tone, Include self reflection,Include a rhetorical question,Include a short sentence,Include an exclamation mark,Aim to write five paragraphs.

November 24th 2009

Dear Diary, Today was awful! Let me tell you about it. It started when ……… By then I was feeling ……… Can you guess what happened next? Well,

I was ……… I thought that ……… I’m hoping tomorrow will be better for me. Goodnight!

Homework Diary Writing by

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