How to write a diary

How to write a Diary

1.Presentation and style

- Write the date in full letters. Use “dear diary” or “Today”

-Use “I” –you may also start right away with the verb: “Today, Ø   feel sad”-- and mainly the present tense. Describe your feelings, state of mind.

 -You may want to report a past event (Simple Past and Past continuous) and comment on it.

-Use repetitions to stress your feelings.

-Write about your resolutions. Use informal style (not vulgar or rude)

2. Example:

-Write about your feelings / emotions

Today I feel……: my Mum doesn’t want me to…….         She says I should…………….                          Well,   feel down. Really do. (Here you repeat / stress “feel down”)

-Write about what happened.

I’m so angry at…..She’s always …+ ING                !              Yesterday she…….          If only she could / would + BV

And Dad! He…………………….                        Ø Don’t understand him. He acts as if…….

(Use expressive punctuation: ! / : / ; )

-Resolutions

Well, I can’t give up playing. I know what I ‘m going to do….                  From now on I will….+ BV

How to write a literary dialogue

1. Form

·         No dash (pas de tiret)        “Hello,” he said.

                                                                    Use a punctuation mark (usually a comma (virgule))

·         Vary the forms:  

                     “Hello.”    Do not add anything. Put a full stop after “said”.

                     “hello,” he said loudly.   (adverb)   Never write “said he”.

                                   “Hello,” he said in a loud voice. (in + (adj) + noun (voice / tone / manner ))

                                    “Hello,” he said with emphasis. (with + noun)

·         Vary the verb “say”:           - to say loudly: to shout, to yell, to bellow, to cry (out), to scream (high pitched noise)

                                                    -to say softly: to whisper, to murmur, to mumble (soft + indistinct)

·         Skip a line between the spoken parts . And, add descriptions of the characters’ attitude, feelings, gesture in between the spoken parts.

“Hello, “ he said in a loud voice. He was now so upset that he could not keep his voice low.

Comment on the way of speaking.                               Description of the character’s feelings /attitude