Diary Writing
BasicStart with the date and the weather.
- Diary format: date → weather → Dear Diary.
- Use the past tense for today's events.
- Events plus feelings give the entry warmth.
文體小知識：Date, feelings, events.
§Text Passage
1Friday, 20th March
Weather: Rainy
2Today was a day full of surprises. I was a little sad at first because of the rain, as we could not play outside at lunchtime. In the morning, I felt nervous because we had a maths test. When I opened the paper, my mind went blank for a moment. Luckily, I remembered Ms Lee's tips and finished every question. I felt like a hero when I handed in my paper.
3In the afternoon, our class teacher announced the results of the art competition. I felt excited when she called my name — I won first prize! My painting of the harbour will be shown in the school hall. My friends jumped up and shouted, 'Well done!' I was so happy that I almost cried.
4After school, Mum bought me a mango cake to celebrate. We shared it with Grandma and talked about my day. I felt happy and thankful at the same time. Even the rain could not wash away my smile. I will keep this page in my diary and smile again every time I read it. I am excited about tomorrow too.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Friday, 20th March
三月二十日，星期五
Weather: Rainy
天氣：雨
Today was a day full of surprises.
今日是充滿驚喜的一日。
I was a little sad at first because of the rain, as we could not play outside at lunchtime.
起初我因為下雨有一點不開心，因為午飯時間不能到外面玩。
In the morning, I felt nervous because we had a maths test.
早上我很緊張，因為有數學測驗。
When I opened the paper, my mind went blank for a moment.
一打開試卷，我腦海空白了一瞬間。
Luckily, I remembered Ms Lee's tips and finished every question.
幸好我記得李老師的貼士，做完了所有題目。
I felt like a hero when I handed in my paper.
交卷那刻，我覺得自己好像英雄。
In the afternoon, our class teacher announced the results of the art competition.
下午，班主任宣布美術比賽的結果。
I felt excited when she called my name — I won first prize!
她叫到我的名字時，我興奮得跳起來——我拿了第一名！
My painting of the harbour will be shown in the school hall.
我那幅海港畫會在學校禮堂展出。
My friends jumped up and shouted, 'Well done!'
朋友們跳起來大叫：「做得好！」
I was so happy that I almost cried.
我開心到差點哭出來。
After school, Mum bought me a mango cake to celebrate.
放學後，媽咪買了個芒果蛋糕同我慶祝。
We shared it with Grandma and talked about my day.
我們同奶奶一起分享，還聊了我今日的事。
I felt happy and thankful at the same time.
我又開心又感恩。
Even the rain could not wash away my smile.
連這場雨都沖不走我的笑容。
I will keep this page in my diary and smile again every time I read it.
我會將這一頁留在日記裡，將來每次翻看都會笑。
I am excited about tomorrow too.
我也很期待明天。
1Summary 重點摘要
Start with the date and the weather.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Personal record.
This day.
Past of feel.
Glad.
Unhappy.
Thrilled.
Worried.
Keep in mind.
3Step by step Steps
- FormatA diary entry opens with the date and the weather. Example: Saturday, 21st March. Weather: Sunny. The date gives the day, the number and the month, and the weather takes one word; written clearly, they make the entry easy to revisit.
- TenseA diary reports what happened that day, so the main tense is the past. Example: I went to Ocean Park and saw the pandas. Went and saw are irregular past forms; switch to the present or the future only for current thoughts or future plans.
- ContentDiary content is events plus feelings. Example: I saw pandas. I was so excited! Choose one or two unforgettable moments and follow each with a feeling; events alone read like a list, and feelings give the words their warmth.
- First personA diary is written in the first person I, which sounds direct and personal. Example: I was so happy that I smiled all day. Keep the same person throughout; never switch to he or she, and feel free to write the thoughts in your heart.
- Three header linesThe three header lines: the date (Friday, 20th March), the weather (Rainy) and the greeting (Dear Diary). Write them from top to bottom before the body; Dear Diary is the traditional greeting and makes the entry feel like a chat with an old friend.
- Event plus feelingAfter each event, add one line of feeling. Example: I saw pandas. I was so excited! Feeling sentences use I was plus an emotion word, such as excited, tired or proud; events and feelings in turn make the entry vivid.
5Worked example Example
Question: How do we write a diary entry about a trip to Ocean Park? Complete it in five steps: header, opener, events, feelings and a forward look.
- Step 1: Write the header — Saturday, 21st March. Weather: Sunny. The date and the weather come first.
- Step 2: An opening line — Today was the best day! An exclamation shows the mood at once.
- Step 3: Record events in the past tense — I went to Ocean Park and saw the pandas. Went and saw are irregular past forms.
- Step 4: Pair each event with a feeling — I was so excited! The hot dogs were delicious too. Excitement and taste each get a line.
- Step 5: Look ahead — I will go again next year. A wish in the future tense rounds off the entry.
- Answer: Sample answer: Saturday, 21st March. Weather: Sunny. Today was the best day! I went to Ocean Park and saw the pandas. I was so excited! I will go again next year. Header, events, feelings and a wish are all there: a complete primary school diary entry.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1First line?
Q2Tense?
Q3What to write?
Q4First person?
Q5End?
Q6Weather?
8Recap Recap
- Diary format: date → weather → Dear Diary.
- Use the past tense for today's events.
- Events plus feelings give the entry warmth.
- Write throughout in the first person (I).
- Close by looking ahead: I will go again next year.