A diary page must express one’s own feelings and emotions, thus requiring a slightly more discreet and personal style.
At first glance it might seem simple, but it is easy to forget about the structure while you are letting your thoughts run wild.
How to structure your diary entries:
Here you can find a scheme to help you get started. You do not have to follow it, but try to understand why this structure is popular and follow the directions you like.
You might skip the intro, for example, or choose to write the date at the end. Whatever works for you IS the best solution possible!
1. DATE AND TIME
Write date and time: it is important to note the date and time when you start writing. It might seem trivial now but it will come in handy when you look back at your past.
2. “DEAR DIARY” FORMULA
Use the “Dear diary” formula, or give your diary the name of a friend (or even your own!).
3. INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC
Introduce the topic: after the initial formula, introduce the topic you want to talk about.
4. NARRATION OF THE EVENTS OF THE DAY
Narrate the facts in chronological order: tell all that happened step by step. Remember that it is a diary, a type of text that shows the facts that have happened to you personally and the emotions that you feel: therefore, do not list events in a cold way, but put yourself in it. Create words with amazement, joy, pain, sadness, happiness that can bring back what you felt when you read it back someday.
5. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Personal thoughts: read back what you have written, and conclude with your thoughts about it.
6. CLOSING FORMULA
This is how you say goodbye to your diary! Be as creative as you wish: you can write “Now I have to close, yours …”, or “My dear diary, now I’m going to sleep, I’m really tired” or anything else that feels personal enough for you!
Finally, do not forget one thing: reread what you wrote and try to identify and correct spelling mistakes and punctuation. Make sure that sentences are flowing and not too messy, it’s easy to get lost in one’s stream of consciousness!