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Year 5 - English

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

'How to Train Your Dragon': diary and narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils use their knowledge of the text 'How To Train Your Dragon' to write a setting description, a narrative opening and a diary entry. Pupils use one stimulus to write for several outcomes, writing for different purposes by demonstrating certain techniques in each.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify and analyse layout and linguistic features of a diary entry.

Key Notes

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

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

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

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

A diary entry is a type of recount written in the first person. A diary entry is informal in its tone.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'purpose'

the aim of the text.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

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

More Lessons In This Unit

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