From the Diary of Anne Frank
Writing a diary; listening to Pepys
Write diary entries and take notes from a diary read aloud.
Keep a diary for a week. Tips from the book:
- write as if someone else will read it;
- make your thoughts convincing;
- use words that show feelings and paint pictures;
- be brief.
Diary language. Diaries can use:
- sentences with no subject: 'Got up late in the morning.';
- fragments: '…too bad, boring, not good.';
- contractions: they're, I've, didn't;
- everyday words.
Don't use this style in formal writing.
Samuel Pepys and the Great Fire of London (1666). Pepys kept a famous diary that became a historical record, like Anne's. His entry for 2 September:
- his maid Jane woke them at about three in the morning to see a great fire;
- he thought it far off and went back to sleep;
- he got up again at about seven;
- Jane said more than 300 houses had burnt in the night, and the fire was now burning Fish Street, by London Bridge;
- he walked to the Tower with Sir J. Robinson's little son and saw both sides of the bridge on fire.
Listening for a summary. Note who, when, where and how many. Write the numbers and names as you hear them.
A diary is brief, vivid and personal.
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