New
New
Year 3

Analysing the features of diary entries

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

New
New
Year 3

Analysing the features of diary entries

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

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of a diary entry is to recount important personal experiences and to 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 at points in a diary entry to show how the writer is feeling now.

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

Common misconception

Pupils may find it difficult to identify informal language.

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

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

Equipment

You will need a copy of the 2016 Flying Eye Books edition of ‘The Journey’ by Francesa Sanna for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
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
Q2.
What are features of something?
the words used in a book
Correct answer: the parts or characteristics that make something unique
the images in a text
Q3.
What is a diary?
a fictional tale involving magical creatures
Correct answer: a private book where someone records their personal experiences and feelings
a non-fiction text providing information to others
Q4.
Which of these words might a writer use when writing in the first person?
you
Correct answer: I
Correct answer: my
it
they
Q5.
A diary greeting normally starts with which word?
Goodbye
Hello
Correct answer: Dear
Be
Q6.
What does chronological order mean?
in order of importance
in alphabetical order
Correct answer: in order of time

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of a diary entry?
to tell a fictional story
to share your feelings with other people
to give factual information
Correct answer: to recount important personal 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.
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:purpose,the aim of the text

the aim of the text

Correct Answer:features,distinctive qualities or characteristics of something

distinctive qualities or characteristics of something

Correct Answer:layout,the way a text is structured

the way a text is structured

Correct Answer:diary,a personal book that an individual writes in

a personal book that an individual writes in

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
in the sign-off

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