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      Identifying features of a diary entry to write from 'How To Train Your Dragon'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

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

      Key learning points

      1. A diary entry is a type of recount written in the first person.
      2. A diary entry is informal in its tone.
      3. The purpose of a diary entry is to recount events and record thoughts and feelings.
      4. A diary entry can be sequenced in chronological order.
      5. A diary entry may switch between past, present and future tenses.

      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 - structures of language that use words

      Common misconception

      Pupils may think that a diary is written entirely in the past tense.

      Examples of present and future tense are referred to and modelled in the examples given. Emphasise repeatedly to pupils that a range of tenses will be used in a diary.

      Teacher tip

      If pupils need additional consolidation of apostrophes for contraction, explicit lessons on this can be found in the Y5 Grammar unit 'Speech punctuation, parenthesis and apostrophes'.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a diary?

      a fictional narrative 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
      Correct answer: we

      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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the keywords to their definitions.

      Correct Answer:purpose,the aim of the text

      the aim of the text

      Correct Answer:recount,writing that recalls an event or experience

      writing that recalls an event or experience

      Correct Answer:layout,the way a text is structured

      the way a text is structured

      Correct Answer:linguistic features,structures of language that use words

      structures of language that use words

      Q2.
      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

      Q3.
      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

      Q4.
      Which of the following linguistic features appear in a diary entry?

      third person
      Correct answer: informal language
      Correct answer: first person
      formal language

      Q5.
      Which tense does the writer use when writing a diary entry?

      Correct answer: past tense
      Correct answer: present tense
      Correct answer: future tense

      Q6.
      Which of the following supports the sequencing of events chronologically?

      fronted adverbials of manner
      viewpoint fronted adverbials
      Correct answer: fronted adverbials of time

      To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Identifying features of a diary entry to write from 'How To Train Your Dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...