Welcome to the World of Diary Writing!
Hello there! Today, we are going to learn about one of the most personal and fun types of writing: Diary Entries (sometimes called Journal Entries). Think of a diary as a "paper friend" that you can talk to about your day, your secrets, and your feelings.
In the Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test (HKAT), writing a diary entry is a common task. It’s a great way to show off your ability to describe events and express how you feel. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—once you know the "recipe," it's as easy as pie!
Section 1: What is a Diary Entry?
A diary entry is a short piece of writing where you record things that happened to you. Unlike a formal letter or an essay, a diary is informal. It’s like you are talking to yourself or a very close friend.
Why do we write them?
1. To remember special events.
2. To express our true feelings (happiness, sadness, or even anger).
3. To think about what we learned during the day.
Key Takeaway:
A diary entry is personal, informal, and written in the first person (using "I").
Section 2: The "Ingredients" (The Format)
Just like a sandwich needs bread, a diary entry needs a specific format. Before you start writing your story, you must include the "header" information at the top.
1. The Date and Day
Always start with the date and the day of the week. This helps you remember exactly when the event happened.
Example: 25th May, 2024 (Saturday)
2. The Weather
In many Hong Kong exams, you are asked to include the weather. It sets the "mood" of the day.
Example: Sunny / Rainy / Cloudy / Humid
3. The Greeting (Optional but Good)
Most people start with "Dear Diary,". It’s like saying hello to your paper friend!
Quick Review Box:
The Header Checklist:
- Date (e.g., 1st September, 2023)
- Day of the week (e.g., Friday)
- Weather (e.g., Fine/Cloudy)
- Greeting (Dear Diary,)
Section 3: How to Write the Body
This is where you tell your story. To make it great, follow these three simple rules:
Rule 1: Use the First Person ("I")
Since it is your diary, you are the star of the show! Use words like I, me, my, we, and us.
Rule 2: Use the Past Tense
Most of the time, you write a diary entry at the end of the day. This means the events have already happened. Use Past Tense verbs.
- Instead of: I "go" to the park.
- Use: I went to the park.
- Instead of: It "is" a fun day.
- Use: It was a fun day.
Rule 3: Show Your Feelings
Don’t just say what you did; say how you felt about it! This is the most important part of a diary.
Example: Instead of saying "I ate a cake," say "I ate a delicious chocolate cake and I felt overjoyed!"
Memory Aid: The "F.A.T." Method
To remember what to include in the body, remember F.A.T.:
F - Feelings (How did you feel?)
A - Actions (What did you do?)
T - Thoughts (What did you think about the day?)
Section 4: Helpful Vocabulary for Feelings
To get higher marks, try to use more interesting words than just "happy" or "sad."
If you are happy: excited, delighted, thrilled, over the moon.
If you are sad: disappointed, upset, lonely, blue.
If you are surprised: amazed, shocked, speechless.
If you are tired: exhausted, worn out, sleepy.
Did you know?
The phrase "over the moon" means you are extremely happy. It’s a great idiom to use in a diary entry because it sounds natural and informal!
Section 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best students make these mistakes sometimes. Keep an eye out for them!
1. Mixing Tenses: Don't jump between "I go" and "I went." Stick to the Past Tense for things that happened.
2. Being too Formal: Don't write like you are talking to a principal. You don't need to say "Furthermore" or "In conclusion." Use words like "So," "Then," or "Anyway."
3. Forgetting the Reflection: Don't just end the story suddenly. Add a closing sentence about how you feel now or what you hope for tomorrow.
Example: "I hope tomorrow will be just as fun!" or "I must go to sleep now, I'm exhausted."
Section 6: A Sample Diary Entry
Let’s look at how all these parts come together:
12th October, 2023 (Thursday)
Fine
Dear Diary,
Today was a very exciting day! My class went on a field trip to the Hong Kong Science Museum.
At first, I was a bit nervous because I thought science was boring. However, when we arrived, I was amazed by the World of Mirrors! My friends and I took many funny photos. We laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.
I learnt that science can be really interesting. I feel very tired now, but I am glad that I went. I hope we can go there again soon!
Chris
Final Key Takeaways:
1. Format: Date, Day, Weather, Greeting.
2. Perspective: Always use "I".
3. Tense: Use Past Tense for the events.
4. Heart: Always include feelings and emotions.
5. Ending: Close with a thought about the future or a simple sign-off.
Don't worry if you don't remember every "feeling" word right away. The more you practice writing about your day, the easier it becomes. Happy writing!