Activity 01
Perspective Flip
Students write two short diary entries for the same event, for example, the school's annual sports day. One entry is from the perspective of a student who won a prize, and the other from a student who did not participate.
Identify the key features that define the diary entry format.
Facilitation TipEncourage pairs to discuss how different emotions like joy, disappointment, or indifference would change the language and tone.
What to look forPeer-review activity where students use a checklist to assess a partner's diary entry for correct format, informal tone, and expression of feelings.
ApplyAnalyzeCreateSocial AwarenessSelf-Awareness
Generate Complete Lesson→· · ·
Activity 02
Emotion Prompt Jar
Write various scenarios and emotions on slips of paper and put them in a jar. Each student picks one scenario (e.g., 'You missed the school bus') and one emotion (e.g., 'frustrated', 'relieved') and writes a diary entry based on the combination.
Explain how the tone of a diary entry differs from that of a formal letter.
Facilitation TipShare a few interesting and contrasting examples with the class to highlight the impact of emotion on writing.
What to look forA timed in-class writing test with a specific prompt, for example, 'You recently visited a historical monument. Write a diary entry sharing your experience and feelings.' This is marked based on a rubric for format, content, expression, and accuracy.
ApplyAnalyzeCreateSocial AwarenessSelf-Awareness
Generate Complete Lesson→· · ·
Activity 03
Format Jigsaw
Provide students with a printed diary entry that has been cut up into its constituent parts: date, day, time, salutation, body paragraphs, and closing. In small groups, students must correctly reassemble the entry.
Compare two diary entries from different perspectives on the same event.
Facilitation TipThis is a great hands-on activity to reinforce the structural components before students start writing their own entries.
What to look forStudents re-read their own diary entry and highlight sections where they think they have expressed emotion effectively, and sections where they could improve. They can write a short note explaining their choices.
UnderstandAnalyzeEvaluateRelationship SkillsSelf-Management
Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Begin by showing a real example, perhaps from a famous diary or a well-written sample, and analyse its parts as a class. Model the process by writing a diary entry on the board about a recent school event, thinking aloud as you make choices about words and tone. Encourage students to use descriptive language to 'show' their feelings, not just 'tell' them.
After these activities, your students will be able to confidently structure a diary entry, adopt a reflective tone, and clearly express their personal thoughts and feelings on any given topic.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
A diary entry has no rules or format; I can just write anything I want.
While the language is informal and personal, a diary entry follows a standard format, especially for academic purposes. This includes the date, day, time, a salutation like 'Dear Diary', the body, and a signature (your first name).
I must use very difficult and 'fancy' words to get good marks.
The goal of a diary entry is to sound authentic and express genuine feelings. Simple, clear, and honest language is much more effective than using complex words that don't sound natural to you.
My diary entry can only be about my own life.
While diaries are typically personal, in an exam or assignment, you will be given a prompt. You need to write from the perspective of the character or person mentioned in the question, using your imagination to express their feelings.
Methods used in this brief