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Oak National Academy
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Year 3

Analysing the features of a diary entry

I can identify and analyse the layout and linguistic features of a diary entry.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 3

Analysing the features of a diary entry

I can identify and analyse the layout and linguistic features of a diary entry.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of a diary entry is to recount important experiences and express feelings.
  2. A diary entry follows a specific structure, it is written in the first person and it uses informal language.
  3. Simple past and progressive past tenses recount what the writer experienced and felt.
  4. Fronted adverbials of time support in sequencing events in a recount chronologically.
  5. Present tense is used towards the end of a diary entry to show how the writer is feeling now.

Common misconception

Children may find it difficult to identify informal language.

Spend some time examining different ways informal language appears in the model diary entry (e.g. exaggeration, contractions, capitalised words, informal vocabulary).

Keywords

  • Purpose - the aim of the text

  • Recount - a piece of writing that recalls an event or experience

  • Layout - the way a text is structured

  • Linguistic features - a structure of language that uses words

Provide each child with a copy of the model diary entry so that they can annotate features. You may wish to provide children with a range of diary entry examples to analyse.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the 2018 Penguin Random House UK edition of ‘The Firework Maker's Daughter' by Philip Pullman for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a diary?
a fictional tale involving magical creatures
Correct answer: a private book where someone records their experiences and feelings
a non-fiction text providing information to others
Q2.
What does writing in the 'first person' mean?
writing about things that are going to happen
Correct answer: writing from the perspective of the person involved
writing about yourself and calling yourself by your name
Q3.
Which of these words might a writer use when writing in the first person?
you
Correct answer: I
Correct answer: my
they
Q4.
A diary greeting normally starts with which word?
Goodbye
Hello
Correct answer: Dear
Be right back
Q5.
What does chronological order mean?
order of importance
order of height
Correct answer: order of time
Q6.
What usually comes at the very beginning of a diary entry?
a drawing
Correct answer: the date
the name of the person writing it

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of a diary entry?
to tell a fictional story
to share your feelings with other people
to write recipes
Correct answer: to recount important experiences and express feelings
Q2.
Put the following in the order they appear in a diary entry.
1 - date
2 - greeting: 'Dear Diary,'
3 - paragraphs to organise recount
4 - sign-off
Q3.
Which of the following linguistic features appear in a diary entry?
third person
Correct answer: informal language
Correct answer: first person
formal language
Q4.
Which tense does the writer use when recounting in a diary entry?
Correct answer: past tense
present tense
future tense
Q5.
Which of the following supports the sequencing of events chronologically?
fronted adverbials of manner
viewpoint fronted adverbials
Correct answer: fronted adverbials of time
Q6.
When does a diary entry shift into present tense?
when the writer is recounting past events
Correct answer: when the writer is expressing how they are currently feeling
in the greeting

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