write an essay about diary

Diary writing: Format, Topics, and Examples

Diary Writing has stood the test of time and remains valuable for students or individuals, appearing at the Exams, or seeking a personal and reflective outlet. 

In this article, we will explore the profound benefits of diary writing along with the art of diary writing, exploring its format, and various topics, and providing real-life examples.

What is Diary Writing?

Definition and purpose.

At its core, Diary writing  is a  short essay  that regularly records a writer’s own thoughts, experiences, emotions, observations, feelings, and attitudes of his or her daily activities on a book or pad containing pages.

The purpose of this practice varies from person to person, but common motivations include self-expression, emotional release, and self-discovery. 

Benefits of Diary Writing

Diary writing offers a multitude of benefits for the mind, heart, and soul. It provides a therapeutic outlet, enhances self-awareness, and fosters personal growth.

By putting emotions into words, individuals can gain clarity on their thoughts and feelings, leading to a greater understanding of themselves and their experiences.

Writing Techniques and Styles

Expressive writing.

Expressive writing involves pouring raw emotions onto the page without inhibition. It’s an opportunity to let go of pent-up feelings, which can be highly cathartic and healing.

Reflective Writing

Reflective writing encourages introspection and analysis. Writers can explore their experiences and reactions to gain deeper insights into their lives.

Creative Writing

For those with a flair for imagination, creative writing within the context of diary entries adds an artistic touch to

the process. Fictional diaries and storytelling can be a fascinating approach to diary writing.

Keeping Consistency in Diary Writing

Commitment and dedication.

Maintaining a diary requires commitment. Even on days when motivation is low, sticking to the routine can lead to long-term benefits.

Finding Motivation

To stay motivated, writers can remind themselves of the positive impact diary writing has on their well-being and personal growth.

General Guidelines for Diary Writing

Certainly! When it comes to diary writing, there are no strict rules as it is a personal form of expression. However, there are some general guidelines that you may find helpful to make your diary writing experience more enjoyable and meaningful:

Be Honest and Authentic: Your diary is a private space where you can be yourself without any judgment. Write honestly about your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

Write Regularly: Try to write in your diary regularly, whether it’s daily, weekly, or at whatever frequency suits you best. Consistency will help you develop a habit and make it easier to express yourself.

Choose Your Style: Your diary is for your eyes only, so you can write in any style that feels comfortable to you. You can use complete sentences, bullet points, or even doodles and sketches if that helps convey your feelings.

Include Date and Time: Start each entry with the date and, optionally, the time. This helps you keep track of your thoughts chronologically.

Reflect on the Day: Reflect on your experiences, interactions, and feelings about the day. This helps you gain insights into yourself and your life.

Explore Emotions: Express both positive and negative emotions. Writing about your feelings can be therapeutic.

Describe Events: Include details about events, people, and places to create a vivid picture of your experiences.

Set Goals and Aspirations: Use your diary to jot down your goals, aspirations, and plans for the future.

Celebrate Achievements: It boosts your confidence and reminds you of your progress.

Use Prompts: If you’re unsure where to start, use writing prompts or topics to inspire your diary entries.

Be Patient with Yourself: It’s okay if you miss a day or two of writing. Be kind to yourself and pick up where you left off when you’re ready.

Read Old Entries: Occasionally, go back and read your past diary entries. It can be insightful to see how you’ve grown and changed over time.

Enjoy the Process: Most importantly, enjoy the process of diary writing. It’s a wonderful way to connect with yourself and your emotions.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules in diary writing . The purpose is to create a personal space where you can freely express yourself and reflect on your experiences. Happy diary writing!

Diary Writing Format

Here’s a standard format for writing a diary entry in English:

Date: [ Today’s Date ]

Dear Diary,

[ Start your entry here. ]

[ Write about your thoughts , feelings, and experiences from the day. You can include the events that happened, the people you met, your reactions to certain situations, and anything else that made an impact on you.]

[ Share your emotions honestly , whether it’s happiness, sadness, excitement, frustration, or any other feelings you experienced during the day.]

[ Reflect on any significant moments or lessons you learned today.]

[ You can also write about your plans for the future or your goals and aspirations.]

[ Close your entry with a summary of your overall feelings about the day.]

Goodnight, Diary. See you tomorrow!

[ Your Name ]

Remember, a diary is a personal space for you to express yourself freely, so feel free to write as much or as little as you want. There’s no right or wrong way to keep a diary – it’s all about recording your thoughts and feelings honestly and authentically. Happy writing!

Look at the Sample Diary Writing:

Monday, 7th January 2022 (1) Day & Date

8:00 p.m. (2 ) Time

Dear Diary, (3) Greetings

It is the start of the week. I am so excited. I am going to spend the entire week with my cousin Alok. Today we went to the Flower Exhibition. It was very interesting, Alok had suggested the idea of going to the exhibition It was an annual exhibition for professionals in floriculture and landscape design. It was a comprehensive business platform covering all sectors of floriculture and flower business. The exhibition displayed a wide variety of exotic flowers. It also exhibited various flower species including hybrids. It was one of the country’s greatest flower shows including events like the Summer Garden Competition, Foliage Plants Show, Home Growing Competition, etc. The vibrant colors were totally out of this world. I look forward to attending more of such exhibitions ]—(4) Body

Soumi—– (5) Name of the Writer

You may like to read

Diary Writing Topics

The topics for your diary entries are limitless. They can be based on your experiences, aspirations, emotions, and thoughts. Feel free to modify or combine these topics to suit your personal preferences and writing style. Here are some diary-writing topics that you can explore:

A Memorable Day: Write about a day that stood out to you, whether it was due to a special event, an unexpected encounter, or an achievement.

My Goals and Aspirations: Reflect on your short-term and long-term goals, and how you plan to achieve them.

Dear Future Me: Write a letter to your future self, discussing your hopes, dreams, and expectations.

A Place I Love: Describe a place that holds sentimental value to you, and explain why it’s significant in your life.

My Favorite Hobby: Share your passion for a hobby or activity that brings you joy and fulfillment.

A Book/Movie That Inspired Me: Write about a book or movie that had a profound impact on your thoughts or emotions.

My Proudest Moment: Describe a moment in your life when you felt exceptionally proud of yourself or someone else.

Overcoming Challenges: Discuss a difficult situation or challenge you faced and how you managed to overcome it.

Random Acts of Kindness: Write about an act of kindness you either received or witnessed and how it made you feel.

Things I’m Grateful For: List the things, people, or experiences you feel grateful for in your life.

Dreams and Fantasies: Share any dreams or fantasies you’ve had lately, no matter how extravagant or simple they may be.

A Letter to a Friend/Family Member: Write a letter to someone close to you, expressing your thoughts and emotions.

Favorite Quotes: Share some of your favorite quotes and explain why they resonate with you.

Life Lessons: Reflect on valuable lessons you’ve learned throughout your life.

An Adventure I Want to Experience: Describe an adventure or journey you wish to embark on in the future.

The Best Day with Friends: Write about a day spent with your closest friends and the fun and memorable moments you shared.

My Dream Vacation: Describe your dream vacation destination and everything you would like to do and see there.

A Time I Overcame Fear: Reflect on a time when you faced a fear or phobia and how you managed to conquer it.

My Role Model: Write about someone you look up to and admire, explaining what makes them your role model.

A New Skill I Want to Learn: Discuss a skill or talent you’ve been eager to develop and why it interests you.

The Power of Music: Share how music impacts your emotions and recount a song or piece that has significant meaning to you.

A Lesson from Nature: Write about a valuable lesson you learned from observing nature or spending time outdoors.

An Act of Generosity: Describe an act of generosity you carried out for someone else and how it made you feel.

Challenges of Growing Up: Reflect on the challenges and changes you’ve faced as you’ve grown older.

A Delicious Recipe: Share a recipe that you recently discovered or tried, and describe how it turned out.

The Most Unforgettable Dream: Write about a particularly vivid or memorable dream you had and its impact on you.

If I Could Time Travel: Imagine if you could travel to any period in history or the future; where would you go and why?

To Your Younger Self: Write a letter of advice and encouragement to your younger self.

The Joy of Giving: Describe the happiness you felt when giving a thoughtful gift to someone special.

A Day Without Technology: Imagine spending a day without any technology and write about how it affected your day.

Workout Diary Writing Examples for Practice:

(1) write a diary entry about how you helped an old woman who was traveling by herself on the bus..

Tuesday,8 th  January 2022

Since my cousin was hospitalized, I decided to visit him. I took a bus at 8 o’clock which was very crowded because of the office hours. People were standing close to each other, and some were also hanging from the exit door as there was no space inside the bus. Even the senior citizens were standing as their seats were occupied by youngsters. There was an old lady who seemed to be sick, because of the heat and suffocation. I asked a young boy to stand up to provide her the seat. After sitting she drank some water and felt comfortable. Then, I helped her to get down from the bus. She thanked me and blessed me. I felt very happy that I had done some good deed.

(2)Today, you witnessed some students littering the corridors and fields of your school. You were very disappointed at that sight. Make a diary entry about how you felt.

Tuesday, 31st March 2021

I am very sad today. During the recess time, I saw a group of students littering in the school premises. They littered the corridors with plastic bags, foils, wrappers, etc. It was a very disappointing sight. I told them repeatedly not to litter and use the dustbin, but they did not listen to me. Not just this, even the playing field behind the classrooms was not spared by them. It looked no less than a garbage dump. I fail to understand how anyone can be so ignorant about his actions and its consequences. Sometimes, I feel disgusted that our environment has to suffer because of our bad habits.

I wish I could do something about it but my plan is to drop a letter in the suggestion box for the appointment of prefects to keep a check and ensure a clean environment at school. I hope things will get better due to my suggestions.

(3)  Y ou recently participated in the ‘All India CBSE National Quiz Competition and reached the finals. The final round was telecast over the national channel where you and your team won the quiz Describe your feelings in 100-150 words through a diary entry.

Saturday, January 23 rd , 2022

Today was such an exciting day. You know what, my team won the first prize the in ‘All India CBSE National Quiz Competition’. Not only this, but the cherry on the cake was also  that the final round was telecast over the national channel. My parents were very happy and so were my teachers and friends. The quiz was on biodiversity. The preliminary rounds were not so easy. But I had very wise team members. We were the leading team in oral round as well. It was so much fun – with applause and praises. We had a cutthroat competition with two of the other schools but we came first which was unexpected, I was very elated. We received a trophy and a certificate. It was a very proud moment of my life.

(4)   Suppose recently you had to change your place of residence. Write a page in your diary about the experience of shifting from a familiar neighborhood to a new place.

Saturday, 10 th  September 2021

My father has bought a new flat in Jamshedpur. He sold the village house at Murshidabad for his job transfer. It was really disappointing when I heard that we would go to a new residence. I had to leave my village school, my teachers, my friends, my neighbours, and the happy moments spent in the nature’s lap. The sight of vast green fields and catching fishes in the pond kept flickering in my mind. I was then admitted to a new school in Jamshedpur. All the memories I left there made me sad all the time. Here the children are not so friendly with me as I have come from a rural area. I go to the rooftop to enjoy the cloudlets floating in the sky. Hence every time I recall my good old days and I sob silently.

(5)   Today while coming back from school, you saw a small child begging at the signal. You were heartbroken to see the future of the country in such a dismal state. Make a diary entry in not more than 150-200 words expressing your feelings.

Saturday, 16th February 2021

I am feeling heartbroken today. While I was coming back from school, our bus stopped at a traffic signal. There I saw a young boy who was hardly eight years old begging for food and money. He knocked at every car and pleaded for money but was chased away most of the times I felt very sad on seeing that the child who should have been going to school to study had to struggle every day to fill his empty stomach. Al the same time I realised the value of all the comforts that my parents have provided to me. I realised that some steps should be taken to improve the conditions of these child beggars. When ! grow up. I will definitely do something for them.

(6)   Make an entry in your diary in 100-150 words on your hesitation to speak in English and you wish to improve your English-speaking skills.

Tuesday, March 07, 2017

A person is known by his company, what type of friends he has and how he reacts before them. I am fortunate enough to have a good circle of friends. They are extremely helpful and good-natured people but sometimes I feel quite embarrassed because they all have a good command over English while I do not, I have done my schooling from a Telugu medium school. Therefore, I hesitate to speak in English before them. It is my heartfelt desire to improve my English-speaking skills but there is no good institute in my vicinity where I can improve my speaking skills. Therefore, my desire has not yet been fulfilled. Dear Diary! I promise you that I will improve my English-speaking skills very soon.

(7)   You feel that speaking in English is the need of the hour. As your parents are unable to do so, you feel a keen desire to teach them. Write in about 100-150 words a page in your diary expressing how you will execute it.

Monday, Dec 15, 2021

These days, speaking in English has become the need of the hour. Nobody can deny this fact. Even my parents also agree with it. But they are unable to do so. Though it is not their fault or any weakness for which they should feel shy in the modern world, yet I have a keen desire to teach them to speak in English. This language is a link with the outer world as it is an international language-a handy means of communication with the people around the world. I shall help them in this so that they will feel more confident. First, I’ll give them lessons in Grammar, then shall proceed to introductory dialogue speaking and will gradually move to small speeches on the topics of their interest. I am sure my parents will be at the earliest, able to talk and express in English independently.

(8)    Suppose You participated in a play at the National School of Drama. It was recorded and will be telecast next week. Make a diary entry using the following clues in 150-200 words sharing your experience.

 Wednesday, 12th April 2020

I am very happy to share this wonderful experience with you. I had been practising day in and day out for the play participated in. Today was the final show. By the grace of God, everything went on well, I felt content when everyone praised our acting. I felt very lucky to have learnt controlled acting from such great and senior actors. Although I was quite nervous working with such experienced artists, they made me feel comfortable. The rehearsals were of sheer fun as well as a great learning experience. My happiness knew no bounds when we came to know that it will be telecast on the National channel.

I feel so proud about it and I am short of words that would justify my joy. But in short, it was an amazing journey. I am very excited about the telecast and eagerly waiting for it to be shown on TV. Basically, I already feel like a superstar. I hope everyone likes it.

(9)    Suppose you are a member of the Eco Club of your school. A few weeks back, your school celebrated Earth Day, Various informative programs were showcased in the morning assembly. Write a diary entry in 150-200 words expressing what you learnt through those activities based on your own ideas.

Friday. Ist May, 2021

A few days ago, my school celebrated the Earth Day on 22nd April, 20XX. Being a member of the Eco Club of my school, I helped in organising the event and making learning experience for all the students at my school on this occasion a special morning assembly was held, and various informative programmes were showcased. We invited eminent speakers from all over the city to sensitise us towards environmental protection Important environmental issues such as global warming pollution, deforestation etc were discussed in detail. All the students pledged to save the environment and spread awareness amongst people about protecting Mother Earth. We also decided to adopt environment friendly activities in our day-to-day life and thus work towards saving the environment. Overall, it was an enriching experience and I hope that my school continues to celebrate more such events.

(10)    You have kept a pet at home. Your father brought the pet for you. Write a diary entry describing how you take care of your pet in about 100-120 words. Read the given clues to plan your diary entry:

Wednesday,15 May 2021

My joy knew no bounds when a few days ago I saw my father coming home from office with a white puppy in his hands. I immediately ran towards him and took hold of the puppy. He is a German Spitz, all covered with white and golden coat. I named him Piya. I had never known till now that a pet can be so warm and affectionate. He is very playful and likes to spend his time playing with a ball. I give him milk, curd, chapati and dog food to eat. I take him for a walk twice a day. That is the time which he loves the most the moment I say, ‘Let’s go for a walk’, he starts showing his excitement. These words seem to be magic words.

I sometimes carry him to my friend’s house as they also love to play with him. My father takes him regularly to a vet for his vaccination and routine check-up. I really love my pet. You should watch him dancing when I come back from school. Never have I received such a warm welcome from anyone, the way he welcomes me. I am so happy that I have him as a friend and good company.

Q. 1: Can Diary Writing Help Improve My Mental Health?

Ans: Yes, diary writing can have significant mental health benefits. It provides an outlet for self-expression, reduces stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

Q. 2: How Do I Start a Diary Writing Habit?

Ans: To start a diary writing habit, choose the right diary format, create a consistent writing routine, and write with honesty and authenticity.

Q. 3: What Should I Write About in My Diary?

Ans: You can write about daily activities, emotions, goals, challenges, dreams, and adventures. There are no strict rules – let your diary be a reflection of your life.

Q. 4: Can Diary Writing Spark Creativity?

Ans: Absolutely! Diary writing allows you to explore your creativity through art, sketches, and expressive writing techniques.

Q. 5: Are Digital Diary Writing Apps Secure?

Ans: Most reputable digital diary writing apps offer robust security features to protect your private entries.

Q. 6: How Can Diary Writing Facilitate Personal Development?

Ans: Diary writing helps with personal development by promoting self-reflection, goal setting, and tracking progress over time.

Q. 7. Is diary writing only for young people?

Ans: Diary writing is for everyone, regardless of age. People of all ages can benefit from the therapeutic and self-reflective aspects of journaling.

Q. 8. What if I miss a day of writing in my diary?

Ans: It’s normal to miss a day occasionally. The key is to get back on track and not let a single missed day derail your commitment to diary writing.

Q. 9. Can I include negative emotions in my diary entries?

Ans: Absolutely! Diary writing is a safe space for all emotions, including negative ones. Expressing these emotions can be cathartic and lead to emotional healing.

Q. 10. Should I use a physical diary or a digital one?

Ans: The choice between a physical diary and a digital one depends on personal preference. Both have their merits, so go with the one that feels most comfortable for you.

Q. 11. Can I use diary writing as a form of therapy?

Ans: Yes, diary writing can be therapeutic. It can help individuals cope with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges by providing an outlet for emotional expression and self-reflection.

Diary Entry and Journal Writing for GCSE and A-Level

Often in English Language exams, you’ll be asked to write a diary or journal entry as a creative piece of nonfiction. You may also be asked to analyze (write about) somebody else’s diary entry. This document will help you prepare for both of these types of questions in an exam paper. Below, you’ll find a famous extract from The Diary of Anne Frank, some analytical exam-style questions, and a creative writing based task.

This document is suitable for anyone studying diary and journal writing at any level, from GCSE (aged 14) and above. It is particularly useful for the following exam boards: CIE / Cambridge, OCR, AQA, WJEC / Eduqas, CCEA, Edexcel.

Thanks for reading! If you find this page helpful, take a look at our full Basic and Advanced Descriptive Writing.

If you’re interested, check out our other articles about English Language Paper 2: Practise Diary Extract

English Language Paper 2: Practise Letter Extract .

READING AND WRITING TASKS: THE DIARY ENTRY OF ANNE FRANK

Context: Anne Frank was a German-Dutch Jewish girl who was a victim of the Holocaust in the Second World War (1939–1945). Before she was captured and taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis, she kept a diary that detailed her experiences of the war. The diary entries are all addressed to ‘Kitty’, a fictional friend that Anne invented.

The Extract:

MONDAY 26TH JULY 1943

Dearest Kitty,

Yesterday was a very tumultuous day, and we’re still all wound up. Actually, you may wonder if there’s ever a day that passes without some kind of excitement.

The first warning siren went off in the morning while we were at breakfast, but we paid no attention because it only meant that the planes were crossing the coast. I had a terrible headache, so I lay down for an hour after breakfast and then went to the office at about two. At two-thirty Margot had finished her office work and was just gathering her things together when the sirens began wailing again. So she and I trooped back upstairs. None too soon, it seems, for less than five minutes later the guns were booming so loudly that we went and stood in the passage. The house shook and the bombs kept falling. I was clutching my ‘escape bag’, more because I wanted to have something to hold on to than because I wanted to run away. I know we can’t leave here, but if we had to, being seen on the streets would be just as dangerous as getting caught in an air raid. After half an hour the drone of engines faded and the house began to hum with activity again. Peter emerged from his lookout post in the front attic, Dussel remained in the front office, Mrs van D. felt safest in the private office, Mr van Daan had been watching from the loft, and those of us on the landing spread out to watch the columns of smoke rising from the harbor. Before long the smell of fire was everywhere, and outside it looked as if the city were enveloped in a thick fog.

A big fire like that is not a pleasant sight, but fortunately for us, it was all over, and we went back to our various jobs. Just as we were starting dinner: another air-raid alarm. The food was good, but I lost my appetite the moment I heard the siren. Nothing happened, however, and forty-five minutes later the all-clear was sounded. After the washing-up: another air-raid warning, gunfire, and swarms of planes. ‘Oh gosh, twice in one day,’ we thought, ‘that’s twice too many.’ Little good that did us, because once again the bombs rained down, this time on the other side of the city. According to British reports, Schiphol Airport was bombed. The planes dived and climbed, the air was abuzz with the drone of engines. It was very scary, and the whole time I kept thinking, ‘Here it comes, this is it.’

I can assure you that when I went to bed at nine, my legs were still shaking. At the stroke of midnight, I woke up again: more planes! Dussel was undressing, but I took no notice and leaped up, wide awake, at the sound of the first shot. I stayed in Father’s bed until one, in my own bed until one-thirty, and was back in Father’s bed at two. But the planes kept on coming.

Vocabulary list:

Warning siren — a loud alarm that sounds when there is a potential threat or danger

Drone — a constant sound

Abuzz — buzzing

• What happens to Anne Frank on the day before she makes this diary entry? (1 mark)
• Find three verbs that Anne Frank uses to convey the dramatic intensity of her day. Explain with each verb why it is so dramatic. (6 marks)
• Re-read the second paragraph of the extract, beginning ‘The first warning siren went off…’. Select four powerful words or phrases, and analyze their effects. You should write in full PEE paragraphs and include an analysis of imagery in your answer. (10 marks)
• “Anne Frank must have had a very unhappy life.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Write an argumentative essay with an Introduction, middle paragraphs, and a conclusion that explores your opinion on this question. (25 marks)
• Write your own diary entry in which you explain a difficult experience. Use first-person pronouns (I/me/my/we/our) and speak in the past tense, as if you are describing the event just after it has happened. Try to use a range of punctuation and language devices. (40 marks)

Related Posts

The Theme of Morality in To Kill A Mockingbird

Unseen Poetry Exam Practice – Spring

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Writing – PEE Breakdown

How to Get Started with Narrative Writing

What do I need to do for AQA Language Paper 2?

How to do well in the AQA GCSE Paper 2 Exam!

How to Write a Perfect Essay on The Crucible by Arthur Miller

AQA Power and Conflict: Example A* / L9 Grade Paragraph

Descriptive Writing: The train

Writing Essays on Emily Dickinson: Example PEE Paragraph

© Copyright Scrbbly 2022

Essay on Diary

Students are often asked to write an essay on Diary in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Diary

Introduction.

A diary is a personal book where one can record thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s a private space for expressing yourself freely.

Importance of Diary

Keeping a diary helps in organizing thoughts and improving writing skills. It can also be therapeutic, helping to manage stress and anxiety.

Types of Diaries

There are various types of diaries, such as travel diaries, dream diaries, and food diaries. Each type serves a different purpose.

In conclusion, a diary is a valuable tool for personal growth and self-expression. It’s a friend that listens, never judges.

250 Words Essay on Diary

The concept of a diary.

A diary is a personal record, usually in written form, documenting experiences, thoughts, and emotions. It serves as a mirror reflecting the innermost self, an intimate friend that preserves our most cherished memories and deepest secrets.

The Evolution of Diaries

Historically, diaries have been physical books, but the advent of technology has revolutionized this concept. Today, digital diaries and blogging platforms have opened up new avenues for self-expression. These modern forms offer advantages like accessibility and security, yet the traditional paper diary remains relevant due to its tactile intimacy and personal touch.

Psychological Benefits of Keeping a Diary

Diaries provide significant psychological benefits. They serve as a therapeutic tool, helping individuals vent emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental health. The act of writing allows for self-reflection, promoting personal growth and self-awareness.

Diaries as Historical Documents

Diaries also serve as historical documents, offering insights into different eras and cultures. They capture the zeitgeist of a time, making them invaluable resources for historians and sociologists.

In conclusion, the diary is more than just a personal record. It is a tool for self-discovery, a catalyst for emotional well-being, and a window into history. Despite technological advancements, the essence of diary-keeping remains unchanged, underlining its enduring relevance in our lives.

500 Words Essay on Diary

Introduction: the art of diary writing.

Diary writing, a personal form of literature, has been a method of self-expression for centuries. It is an intimate conversation with oneself, a way of preserving thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This practice serves not only to document personal histories but also to explore the depths of one’s mind and emotions.

The Historical Significance of Diaries

Diaries have played a crucial role in understanding historical events and societal norms. The diary of Anne Frank, for instance, provides an intimate perspective of life during the Holocaust, while Samuel Pepys’ diary offers insights into 17th-century London. Such diaries serve as first-hand accounts of historical events, offering a personal lens through which to view the past.

Diaries as a Tool for Self-Reflection

Diary writing is a potent tool for self-reflection, allowing individuals to contemplate their actions, decisions, and emotions. It encourages introspection, promoting personal growth and emotional maturity. The act of writing can be therapeutic, providing a safe space to vent emotions and clarify thoughts. It also helps in setting goals and tracking progress, acting as a personal motivator and a record of one’s journey.

The Evolution of Diaries in the Digital Age

The digital revolution has transformed diary writing. Blogs, vlogs and social media platforms have become the new diaries, providing a public platform for self-expression. While this shift has increased accessibility, it has also raised questions about privacy and authenticity. The public nature of these platforms can sometimes lead to self-censorship, diluting the raw honesty that is often associated with traditional diary writing.

Diaries and Their Role in Literature

Diaries have significantly influenced literature. They have been used as a narrative device in novels, providing an intimate perspective into a character’s thoughts and emotions. Works such as ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ and ‘The Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ are popular examples. Furthermore, many authors use diaries to draft ideas, develop characters, and experiment with narrative styles.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Diary Writing

Despite the advent of digital media, the traditional form of diary writing continues to hold a certain charm. The tactile experience of writing, the sense of privacy, and the freedom to express oneself without judgment are aspects that digital platforms often fail to replicate. Diaries remain a powerful tool for self-expression, introspection, and historical documentation. They stand as a testament to the complexity of human emotions and experiences, encapsulating the essence of individuality.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Diamond
• Essay on The Era of Digitalization
• Essay on Living in a Digital World

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Diary Entry

Have you all heard of the famous book by a little Jewish girl called Anne Frank ? The book was an adaptation made out of a teenage deceased girl’s diary that was later published by her only surviving family member: her father. But why did she write a diary entry in the first place? In fact, why does anyone write a diary at all? Well, the answer is simple – to express oneself. Let us learn more about diary entry.

Suggested Videos

Maintaining a diary is generally a very good habit. Moreover, one can always check facts looking back, remember events, find an outlet and effectively document one’s life this way. Also, some people even name their diaries and address them like an imaginary friend.

A personal journal is a private possession. In other words, this diary usually is just for you and it’s not for public reading, so one can write liberally. But for the benefit of the readers, we’d like to show you all how is a diary entry generally written. What we are laying down here are good practices that one can inculcate while writing their diary entry.

Browse more Topics under Writing

• Descriptive Essay
• Formal Letters
• Informal Letters
• Letter Writing
• Non-Classified/Display Advertisements
• Characters in a story
• Story: Setting

Learn about Essay Writing here in details

Diary Entry: What to Expect?

A Diary is a journal organized by date where you express your thoughts, feelings, opinions, and plans. So, be as candid as you can. Because this journal is your safe place. If you don’t know where to start, then start by writing about your day, about yourself, and so on…

Tips on How to Write a Diary Entry

Always mention the date.

Pick a corner and keep it for mentioning the dates of your diary entry. You may not write every day. Some people are also specific about time and place as well. Again, it’s about personal preferences . Since one usually keeps a diary for a long period of time, it’s wiser to think out a general format for your diary entries and stick to it. You may iterate and change a few things depending on how you feel like, no one’s watching it. I personally choose the top left for mentioning the date.

Choose a subject

Just like a chapter, usually, there’s a reason why you reached out to make a diary entry. For example, sometimes it’s what happened that day or sometimes it is to write about something you want to do in the future or maybe to just mark an event that triggered a strong emotion in you like happiness, anger, excitement, etc. But whatever it is that you picked your journal for, your diary entry will have a topic that way.

Learn more about Story Writing here in detail.

Now, we always address our entries in the first person. If you want, you can give it a name. Usually, people address their diary entries as – “Dear Diary”

Be honest, it’s you who are talking to

The key thing about a diary entry is that it is always kept truthful, natural and free-flowing. So, trust your thought train and don’t stop or mince words for the fear of being watched or judged. As it is your space to let out all your feelings, so don’t hold back.

Make it a habit

Well, this one, I personally think, you only have to remind yourself as you begin to write. Eventually, it sort of becomes this friend you reach out to automatically. Most of the times you will find it very therapeutic to maintain a diary. It’s wonderful how when you let out all the emotions, sometimes the endings get quite conclusive and lead in a positive direction. Like you already knew the answer to your questions yourself. You just had to get all the foggy clouds of emotions out of your way to see it.

Diary Entry: A Sample

So what are you waiting for? Go get your favorite book or online diary and scribble away to glory. Have fun with English!

Solved Question for You

Q. In which format would you write about the following: Driving a car for the first time

• Dairy Entry
• Advertisement

Solution : C.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Non-Classified or Display Advertisements
• Story: Characters

5 responses to “Story: Characters”

great article

very clean post.

awesome work

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

• EssayBasics.com
• Pay For Essay
• Write My Essay
• Homework Writing Help
• Essay Editing Service
• Thesis Writing Help
• Write My College Essay
• Do My Essay
• Term Paper Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Write My Research Paper
• Assignment Writing Help
• Essay Writing Help
• Call Now! (USA) Login Order now
• EssayBasics.com Call Now! (USA) Order now
• Writing Guides

My Personal Diary (Essay Sample)

Table of Contents

Every one of us at some time in life has thought about keeping a diary to write about daily events and happenings.  Writing your personal diary is considered by most as one of the most healthy activities that result in physical and mental well-being. Writing a diary every day not only sharpens your mind but also helps you reflect upon all your daily activities. In this essay, I will explain why I love to write my personal diary and what it has taught me.

My Personal Diary Essay – 700 Word Long Essay

At some point in life, we all have thought about keeping a personal diary to record daily events. Many people believe that writing in your diary every day is a very good habit with many benefits. It’s a way to pen down our thoughts, memories, beliefs, worries, and dreams on paper. A diary is usually something very personal as it captures the highlights and lowlights of one’s existence. I also have a personal diary and since young, I have had a habit of writing down the highlights of my day. In this essay, I will discuss why keeping a personal diary is important and what benefits it provides.

I made the first entry in my dear diary when I was 8 years old. Since I started writing my personal diary it has changed my life for the better. It helps me become organized by knowing myself better. Recording thought, emotions, and feeling by writing them down in my diary help me have better control of myself. Writing a diary every day has improved my writing style, vocabulary, and creativity. The more I think of different worlds and ideas the more I learn. Writing everything in my diary has also taught me perseverance. Writing about my goals and ambitions every day and making effort to achieve them despite failures has helped build a winning attitude that never lets me give up. I keep moving from one milestone because I am able to record my steady progress towards my goal.

Writing a diary also relieves all my stress because it’s a silent companion who never gives an opinion about my life. My diary silently listens to all my problems and I also write down all my deep innermost thoughts in my diary. I don’t have to keep all the things to myself because I can brain-dump all my stress, frustrations, pains, and problems in my diary. Many people will not believe me but writing a diary has enabled me to remember more by boosting my memory. Research has shown that you are more likely to remember anything you record by writing it down with your own hands. I have also felt that my dear diary has helped me have a better memory function as I am able to remember more.

Here are two instances of what I write in my diary:

My Diary: 22nd May 2017

I have now entered college, it’s like starting a new life for me. I gave all my vacation time at our own store but now it’s time to focus on my studies again. I will strive to get the same success that I had in my school. America yesterday horizon welcomed a new space mission and I am very excited about the outcome. In my girlhood journey when I begin school and now at college I have been paying a lot of attention to studies but now I will also try to shine in extracurriculars and sports. The college has good quality furniture that was absent at school and also a great football ground. I made some new friends today and went to the mall with one of them. The mall had different clothing styles and I also got new clothes from that mall. My new friend David also helped me save much money with his bargaining skills. Among many friends, I think I will make him my best friend to spend my college days.

My Diary: 23rd May 2017

After returning from college I went to the shoe factory today with two children. I realized that buying things directly from factories saves money but there is limited variety there. I bought shoes for myself and the two children. I had a problem catching the first bus, therefore, I waited long hours for the next bus to arrive. I saw some children on the street asking for money and hoped everyone could receive free education. I also spent a good time in college, as I planned I joined our college football team and played as a defender. Teachers and fellow students are all very good but we all are still shy of each other. I am spending most of my time with David and hope to become best friends with him.

In conclusion , everyone needs to write a diary every day. I think the diary is a silent companion that listens to all your troubles, dreams, and ambitions and never argues with you. It is also very beneficial for multiple purposes as I mentioned above and should be a part of everyone’s life.

Short Quarantine Diary Essay – 200 Word Short Essay

We all have thought about keeping a personal diary to note down everyday events and happenings. Writing down a diary is very beneficial for both physical and mental health along with many other benefits. Most people believe that writing in your personal diary is a very healthy and productive habit. A diary is a silent companion that knows about all your feeling, troubles, emotions, and ambitions but still never argues with us. I have also been writing a diary since I was 8 years old. My diary has been my companion in these quarantine days. In this essay, I will explain why and how and why it’s beneficial to write your personal diary every day.

Writing my diary in this quarantine has helped me keep track of time. As a person, my diary has helped me self-reflect upon my actions, thoughts, and emotions. It has helped me stay on track by identifying and then describing negative thoughts in my diary. Other than that writing a diary every day has sparked creativity in me. I have been able to note down my wild thought and then take action to achieve the actionable ones. It has helped me stay focused in this long quarantine.

Here is a sample of what I usually wrote in my diary before sleeping

My Diary: November 2019

Our house has only two rooms and I live with my parents in a place called Ellis Island. My parents have their own bedroom and I share a room with my siblings. It was like a pure adventure when we moved to this Island but now I am bored because of this long pandemic forced quarantine. My parents decided to move into this small apartment. I have found American education system to be very good. I start school online and connect with all my school teachers and get as much education as I can from home. I am also eating more unusual foods than ever before because eating them keeps me busy. Despite all this, I am hating this quarantine and want it to end as soon as possible.

Do you like these sample essays about My Personal Diary? Reach out to Essay Basics to get a professionally written plagiarism-free and unique custom essay on any topic in less than 3 hours.

FAQ About My Personal Diary Essay

How to write a diary entry.

To write a diary entry recall everything you did in your day and start writing them down one by one. Remember to list everything one at a time so that you don’t mix all your thoughts.

What Is The Format Of A Diary Entry?

The formate mostly depends upon the writer. However, a good format of a diary entry is to address every thought from your day one at a time. Not mixing your ideas and mining a good flow is also considered good.

• https://linguistics.ucla.edu/people/hayes/Teaching/papers/MuellerAndOppenheimer2014OnTakingNotesByHand.pdf

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Diary Writing

What is Diary Writing?

Have a bad day and you want to record something eventful happened to you? Well, a diary entry is one effective way of expression or just a mere recording of events of your life. Diary writing has been a way of recording, recollecting and expressing events or emotions. Maintaining a diary is cathartic and it renders the mind some freshness from the busy life. 

Diary Writing Format

Getting started with diary writing .

Getting started with diary writing can be difficult, especially when you are not habitual of writing. Before you start writing, you should know what is the right format for diary writing. Here are some steps for how you can start writing in your diary: 

Decide What You Want to Write

You can use a diary to write several things, be it an experience or your feelings. But if you want your diary entries to be specific, you should decide what you want to write in them. Usually, diaries are for personal thoughts and experiences but they can be an excellent way to keep a track of your daily events.   

Design a Schedule

When you start a diary, you will have to write more frequently in it, although it is entirely up to you to decide how often you will write in your diary. Making a schedule will help you get used to writing in your journal. You can pick up a specific day or time to write in your diary. Moreover, you should also set a time limit for your diary. You can decide how much you want to write and the time you want to spend while writing. 

The date is an important part of every diary entry. If you keep a track of the date of every diary entry, you can look back at your progress and see how much you have written. 

Give It a Name

Some people like to give names to their diaries, which makes them feel as if they are talking to a friend. Since it is your diary, you can give it any name you like. If you don’t want to give it a name you can start with “Dear Diary” and move in the right direction. Moreover, the primary aim of the diary is to share your thoughts and feelings honestly and open up as if it is your friend. 

Be Comfortable While Writing

It is normal if you do not feel like writing in your diary every day. You will only be able to focus on writing when you are comfortable. As long as you are enjoying the writing process, it will be much easier for you to write in your diary every day.  

Why Write a Diary?

Effective Catharsis 

Sometimes we can’t find a friend or anyone to confide our deepest feelings. Diary serves as a friend in need where we can express anything and in any way without any fear of any judgment or miscommunication because it is you who has access to it. 

Recapture Memories

Diary lets you recall the good or bad memories you had and lets you realize how much you have grown or what mistakes you did in the past. Sometimes reading a diary just makes you laugh or live memories which you had nearly forgotten.

Recording Events

Some people write a diary as maintaining a journal where they record all the events chronologically to revisit them for any purpose. This helps in not missing out on important details in daily life. 

Problem-Solving

We tend to overthink everything and make our problems bigger than they seem to be. By writing them down we realize that it is not as big a problem as we cooked it in our head. Sometimes while writing a diary we tend to find a solution as we reflect upon ourselves while writing the problem down.

Tips on Diary Entry

Include a Date

Writing a diary with a date helps one remember the event and the time of the event. It also helps to keep a track of events and when they happened. In our busy lives, we hardly remember how the time slips. Dating the entries will give you a clear picture of the time during that event. Including a date just on the corner of the page is enough. The format of the date should be similar to avoid confusion.

Mention a Subject

Sometimes diary entries can be very descriptive, just mentioning a dominant emotion or any particular event in a few words can help in knowing what is a whole entry is about. For example, If you were unhappy about the way your brother talked to you and you were sad. You can just mention- feeling sad.

Express Yourself Freely

The whole idea of writing a diary is to exhibit your emotions, where it is private and no one can access them. Diary entry has to be made with an open heart without any fear of anyone reading it. It is one place where you can be yourself as it stays with you. 

Write More Often

Writing regularly is not a task which just happens automatically. In starting you might have to set a reminder to write and then eventually you start gravitating towards your diary to write anything you feel. Diary becomes your friend and it’s very therapeutic to express oneself now and then. 

       5. Be Honest

If you are writing the diary under an umbrella of fear of getting public, then it is pointless. You should be honest to yourself as it is your diary and your safe place to express anything you wish to. Being honest is the only key to catharsis while writing a diary. You should not manipulate your writing, thinking of someone else reading it. The honest expression will always make you reflect on the situation with a bigger outlook.

       6.  Aligning Your Thoughts is Important

Brainstorming before writing will help you align your thoughts to record everything as you want to write. Sometimes our emotions make our brain foggier and a little thought before writing would help us express ourselves clearly.

Benefits of Diary Writing- How to Write, Format, Tips and Examples 

Diary writing come with a lot of benefits for you. Before you start your diary, you should go through these tips and examples to understand how to begin your journal entries. Here are some advantages of diary writing - how to write, format, tips and examples: 

By using diary writing - how to write, format, tips and examples, you can understand the various elements of a diary. 

It will help you get started with your journal and take you in the right direction. 

You can learn the format and rules of diary writing through this.

With diary writing - how to write, format, tips and examples, you will get an idea of what you can write in your diary. 

FAQs on Diary Writing

1. Is it Beneficial to Write Every Day and Diary Writing Well For Mental Health?

Yes, it is! Because you can reflect on your thoughts without any bias and most importantly it becomes a medium where you can write without any fears! Thus, it is beneficial to your mental health. Also, writing your thoughts and feeling every day in your diary will relieve you from the stress and help you control your emotions. Although writing frequently is beneficial, but it is not compulsory to do so. It depends on you whether you want to write daily, weekly or even monthly but writing daily has its benefits.

2. Does Writing a Diary have Any Other Benefits?

Yes, writing continuously over time will improve the clarity of your writing as well as the clarity of your speech, and you will learn how to express your thoughts more freely with time. Writing a diary will help you keep your thoughts organized and make them apprehensible. You can record your thoughts, feelings, daily events, past experiences, or anything you want in a diary. Moreover, diary writing will improve your writing skills and make you more fluent in the language.

3. Can I Write Anything in a Diary and is it Better to Write in Any Specific Format?

Yes! Although it is beneficial to keep separate diaries for separate things. For example, a personal diary is best for writing your thoughts and feelings, and a bedside diary or a notebook for writing ideas which you get at night. This is highly personalized and depends on person to person.

Although it is not mandatory in writing in an ordered and coherent manner, connecting dots becomes easier, which in turn make introspection easier.  So, you can start writing in your diary any way you feel comfortable.

4. How will the Diary Writing - How to Write, Format, Tips and Examples help me?

Diary Writing - how to write, format, tips and examples will help you in so many ways. It gives you a clear understanding of how to start writing in your diary. You can learn the format of diary writing and start your journal in an organized manner.

With Diary Writing - how to write, format, tips and examples, you can understand the different ways of starting your journal. Moreover, it will help you work on your writing skills and improve yourself.

Ultimate Guide to Writing Your College Essay

Tips for writing an effective college essay.

College admissions essays are an important part of your college application and gives you the chance to show colleges and universities your character and experiences. This guide will give you tips to write an effective college essay.

Want free help with your college essay?

UPchieve connects you with knowledgeable and friendly college advisors—online, 24/7, and completely free. Get 1:1 help brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, revising a draft, or editing grammar.

Writing a strong college admissions essay

Learn about the elements of a solid admissions essay.

Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes

Learn some of the most common mistakes made on college essays

Brainstorming tips for your college essay

Stuck on what to write your college essay about? Here are some exercises to help you get started.

How formal should the tone of your college essay be?

Learn how formal your college essay should be and get tips on how to bring out your natural voice.

Taking your college essay to the next level

Hear an admissions expert discuss the appropriate level of depth necessary in your college essay.

Student Stories

Student Story: Admissions essay about a formative experience

Get the perspective of a current college student on how he approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about personal identity

Get the perspective of a current college student on how she approached the admissions essay.

Student Story: Admissions essay about community impact

Student story: admissions essay about a past mistake, how to write a college application essay, tips for writing an effective application essay, sample college essay 1 with feedback, sample college essay 2 with feedback.

This content is licensed by Khan Academy and is available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

• Self-Improvement
• Online Diary
• AI for Life
• Download Diary App
• Write Your First Diary
• Login to Online Diary App
• 100K+ Famous Quotes Site
• 21-Days to Self-Improvement
• Creating a Habit
• Learn Life Experiences
• Easily Prioritizing Tasks
• Learning from Mistakes
• Doing Regular Exercises
• Setting Priority for Success
• Avoiding Common Mistakes
• Eating Healthy Food Regularly
• Best Diary Apps
• Diary Writing Ideas
• Diary Writing Topics
• Avoid Writing in Diary
• Diary Writing as Hobby
• Reasons to Write a Diary
• Types of Feelings In Diary
• Improve Diary Writing Skills

AI Powered Diary App

Everything About Your Self-Improvement

5 Useful Diary Writing Examples for Students

Table of contents, student diary example #1, student diary example #2, student diary example #3, student diary example #4, student diary example #5.

• 4 minute read

Let’s see some of the major advantages for students in writing diary regularly:

• Diary writing can help students reflect on their experiences and develop self-awareness . By recording their thoughts and feelings, they can gain insights into their own behavior and thought processes over a period of time.
• Keeping a diary can help students stay organized and manage their time more effectively in a day . They can use it to make to-do lists, set goals , and plan their day well ahead of time.
• Writing in a diary can be a way for students to explore their creativity and practice self-expression in the early stages of their life. They can experiment with different writing formats and techniques, and use their diary as a space for artistic expression too.
• Regular diary writing can also help students improve their writing skills , such as grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure right from childhood. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with writing assignments in school as well as in college.

Today was a long day, but also a pretty good one. We had a math test in the morning, and I was really nervous about it. I studied a lot over the weekend, but I still felt like there were some concepts that I didn’t quite understand. When I got to school, I talked to my friend Jake about it, and he helped me go over some of the harder problems. I felt a lot better after that. The test itself was actually not as bad as I thought it would be. There were a few questions that were tricky, but overall, I think I did okay. I’ll just have to wait and see what my grade is when we get the tests back next week. After the test, we had a science lab where we got to experiment with different types of magnets. It was really cool to see how they worked, and I even got to make a little electromagnet by wrapping wire around a nail and connecting it to a battery. I’m definitely going to try that again at home. The rest of the day was pretty standard – English class, lunch, social studies, and then PE. We played basketball today, which is one of my favorite sports. I’m not the best player on the team, but I always have fun. Overall, today was a good day. I’m glad that the math test is over, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we’ll be doing in science tomorrow.

Today was a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, I was really excited for our field trip to the museum. I’ve always loved learning about history, and the museum has some amazing exhibits. We got to see all kinds of artifacts from ancient civilizations, and we even got to try on some replica clothing. I felt like I was really stepping back in time. On the other hand, I got some bad news when I got home. My dog, Max, has been sick for a while, and the vet called to say that he needs to have surgery. I’m really worried about him. He’s been part of our family for so long, and I hate the thought of him being in pain. I know I won’t be able to focus on anything else until I know he’s okay.

Dear Diary, Today was a bit of a blur. We had a lot of classes in a row, and I felt like I was barely able to keep up. I’m really struggling with algebra right now – I just can’t seem to wrap my head around some of the concepts. I tried to ask the teacher for help after class, but he was busy with another student, so I didn’t get the chance. On the bright side, we’re starting a new unit in English, and it sounds really interesting. We’re going to be reading a book about a girl who becomes a detective, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Until tomorrow, Your Name

Today was a great day. We had a guest speaker come in to talk to us about different career options, and it was really eye-opening. I’ve been feeling a bit lost lately, like I don’t really know what I want to do with my life. But hearing about all the different paths people can take was really inspiring. I’m still not sure what I want to do, but I feel like I have a better sense of what’s out there. After school, I hung out with some friends and we went to the park. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the sunshine. We played frisbee and talked about all kinds of things. I’m really lucky to have such great friends.

Today was a bit of a downer. I got my math test back, and I did worse than I thought I would. I was really hoping for a better grade, and now I feel like I let myself down. I studied so hard, but I guess it wasn’t enough. I know I need to keep working on it, but right now, I just feel really discouraged. On a brighter note, I tried a new hobby today – painting. I’ve never been much of an artist, but I decided to give it a try. I watched some tutorials online and bought some cheap supplies, and I have to say, it was really fun. I’m not very good yet, but I’m excited to keep practicing and see where it takes me.

Every article published by the Happiom editorial team carries the endorsement of MAHA PRABU the best-selling author behind the life transformative book Change Yourself First, Not Others. Mastering Self-Improvement in 3 Weeks" .

10 Writing Ideas for Diary with Examples

101 Quotes to Write in Your Diary Everyday

You may also like.

5 Romantic Diary Examples Filled with Love and Longing

5 Essays on Women Empowerment [in India]

Exploring the Journaling Potential with Apple’s Journal App vs Happiom

4 Essays on Social Media – Impact, Influence, Effects etc.

4 Essays on Discipline Exploring Its Power and Importance for Your Diary

7 Essays on Friendship That Will Warm Your Diary

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

How to write a diary entry — 5 tips for beginners

If you’re new to keeping a diary and are finding yourself challenged with where to begin, try one of these tips, or several of them! One of the best things you can do when you’re starting something new is to be flexible with yourself and allow yourself to try several different avenues.

1. Try a similar prompt each time

Some diary apps, like Diarly, allow you to make customized templates for each new journal entry. Some people find that creating prompts for yourself to answer each day can be helpful in establishing a jumping off point for that day’s reflection. For example, you may ask yourself the following questions each day:

• What did I do today?
• What was one emotion I experienced during the day today? What prompted it?
• What is something I learned today?
• What is something I hope for tomorrow?

By answering the same questions each day, you’ll give yourself some structure with which to get into the practice of writing regular diary entries. Over time, you may find that you are so adept at reflecting through your writing that you don’t need to continue to use the same prompts. If that’s the case, that’s fine! Use the structure for as long as you feel like you need it, and be willing to adjust. The most important thing about a journaling practice is that it works for you.

2. Try a different prompt each time

The opposite of #1, this tip will allow you to explore something new every day. Some people are intimidated by not knowing what to write, whereas others are intimidated by having to write the same exact thing every day. If that sounds like you, it might help to have a different question you’re answering every day. You may think about asking, over the course of a week:

• What was the biggest thing that happened in my day? What activity dominated my time, or what issue dominated my thoughts?
• What is something that I would enjoy doing but I haven’t made the time to do? How would doing it make me feel? What would I need to set into motion to make it possible to do it?
• Think about one person in your life who made a difference for you. Write about that person. Who are they? How do you know them? What did they help you achieve?
• What is a decision you were recently faced with making? How did you decide what to do? What was the result of that decision?
• If you had to change one thing about how your day went today, what would it be? What do you think that change would result in?
• If there was one thing you could be sure would happen tomorrow if you just wished hard enough, what would it be?
• What was the best thing that happened to you today? Why did it happen? How did it make you feel?

3. Challenge yourself to be as honest as you can possibly be

A diary is all about working through your innermost thoughts and feelings. When you are just starting with a diary practice, however, it can sometimes feel unnatural to be open and honest with your feelings. What if someone reads them? If you’re using a digital diary in a computer, iPad, or iPhone app, you can password protect your diary, which should alleviate some of your concerns. Still, it can be difficult to wrap your mind around the concept of being totally open and honest right out of the gate.

It may help to challenge yourself to admit to one or two thoughts you’re having each entry. Remember, you’re only admitting these things to yourself, but putting them into your diary may be cathartic. If you feel yourself starting to avoid telling a truth to yourself through your diary entry, pause and recognize that feeling, and dig deeper. Release the truth into the diary entry, and feel good about it every time it happens. It means you’re making progress in your practice.

4. Write with abandon

At least once in your early diary-writing days, give yourself this assignment: for ten minutes, I am going to type literally every thought that comes to my mind, without trying to make sense of it or find any narrative or storytelling structure in it. As people, it’s in our nature to want to tell structured stories. But there is also value in allowing ourselves to express in a stream of consciousness. Letting yourself record a stream of thought for a certain period of time can be a really fulfilling exercise, and it can also fill the pages quite quickly. As long as you’re typing the whole ten minutes, words will come.

5. Don’t give up

If you find yourself sitting in front of your diary and you feel like you have nothing to say, don’t close the diary for the day. Doing so won’t get you to where you want to be, which is a daily diary writer who feels the benefits of journaling. Instead of giving up, write about the feeling of wanting to, and let that reflection take you wherever it wants to go next. Chances are, you’ll end up reflecting on something else, and in turn, you’ll be well on your way to creating a diary entry.

Diarly is secure, simple & beautiful. Start your digital journal today!

Lauren Harkawik

Lauren Harkawik is a journalist, essayist, and fiction writer based in Vermont. You can read her writing on her website.

Visit Lauren Harkawik 's website

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Diary Writing

How to Start a Diary

Last Updated: September 29, 2023 Approved

Diary Supplies

Writing schedule, content ideas.

This article was co-authored by Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD . Dr. Carolyn Rubenstein is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Florida. She specializes in working with adults on anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout. She is also the Chief Wellness Adviser for global esports organization Misfits Gaming Group. Dr. Rubenstein holds a BA in Psychology from Duke University, an MA in Psychology from Harvard University, and a PhD in Counseling Psychology from The University of Miami. She also has a Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing through the EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 17 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 396,027 times.

Keeping a personal diary can help you work out your feelings, keep track of the good things in your life, and just get you to write more. Buying diary supplies that you like and will use, setting a writing schedule that helps you commit to writing every day, and deciding what to write can all help you get started on a new diary.

• Paper notebooks give you total control and privacy, but you won’t have a backup option unless you make copies. [2] X Research source
• Keep in mind that anything you store online is susceptible to hacking, so even if your online diary is password protected or private, there’s always a chance someone could get in. [3] X Research source

• Some great options for paper diaries include the 'Leuchtturm' 1917 notebook, Moleskin notebooks, or Whitelines notebooks. [5] X Research source
• Most stores have a notebook section – browse the shelves and see if anything pops out at you. If you don’t love your diary, you probably won’t write in it.
• To increase the security of a paper diary, you can purchase one with a lock on it. Just make sure you keep the key in a secure place.

• To make sure you stick to your writing schedule, you can use a smartphone, your watch, or your computer to set a reminder to write every day at the same time.

• Setting a timer can help you write within the time limit without having to check your watch every few minutes.

• Take things further. If you are writing at home, sit in the same armchair or at the same table each time.

• You can also copy down new poems or quotes as you go.

• If you want to get fancy, write out the full date, like: July 14, 2018.
• If you want to keep things simpler, try: 7/14/2018 or 7/14/18.
• If you plan on keeping multiple journals, one for each year, you can write 7/14.

• Traditional paragraph-like entries
• To-do lists

• You don't always have to write short entries, however. Sometimes you'll find you have a lot to say about your day or something in particular that happened. It's okay to write long entries in those cases.

• Look online for "writing prompts." The internet is a great resource for these type of thing.

• If you're not quite sure how to start this type of entry, simply format it as if you're actually writing a letter, with the date and address of the person you're writing to at the top.

• For example, let's say something really embarrassing happened to you at school or work. Writing down all the details helps you get them all out of your head, and might prevent you from reliving the event over and over.

• These can be as simple as “the sun was shining” or as detailed as a conversation that you had with a friend.

Community Q&A

• Don't tear out the pages of your diary. You will regret it when you're older and want to look at your diary. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• If you are struggling to get ideas of what to write in your diary, you can read books like Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid . These books will provide you with some awesome ideas and inspiration for writing a diary! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• You don't always have to write in your diary. If you find that you can express your feelings better through sketching or drawing or doodling, that's fine, too. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

• Writing "My Diary" or "Top Secret" only attracts attention. Don't do it if you don't want it to be read. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
• If you wrote secrets in your diary that you don't want people to find out about, make sure to hide it well. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://penzu.com/how-to-start-and-write-a-diary
• ↑ http://lifehacker.com/five-best-paper-notebooks-1157038442
• ↑ https://thetanglednest.com/2013/07/diaries-and-the-wild-mind/
• ↑ https://www.writediary.com/howtowriteadiary
• ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/0_write-your-own-pregnancy-diary_5827.bc?page=2
• ↑ http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/journal-writing-prompts.html

About This Article

If you want to start a diary but you’re not sure where to start, try jotting down one of your favorite quotes or poems on the first page. On the next page, write the date at the top of the page, then write down a few lines about what happened that day. Try to set aside a few minutes at the same time each day to write down your thoughts, which will help you be more consistent in keeping a diary. For instance, you could write each morning about the previous day, or you could reflect on each day in the evening. Keep reading to learn different ways you could format your entries, like creating to-do lists or bulleted entries! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Rosheka Salmon

Jul 15, 2017

Did this article help you?

Maryam Chaudhary

Jul 18, 2018

Nov 18, 2022

Mawuna Ylonfoun

Jun 26, 2017

Amanda Malhollter

Oct 3, 2018

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Academic Diaries

• Academic Diary

As a student at school or university, having to remember Shakespearean quotes, Einstein’s theory of relativity, or economic principles is difficult enough already without attempting to organize your academic responsibilities as well. An academic journal, similar to a school diary , can take some the stress and hassle out of your life by making sure you manage your responsibilities for school better.

What is an Academic Diary?

For those wondering what an academic diary is, understand that these journals are designed to help students such as those attending a university record everything from thesis ideas and Calculus formulas to test dates and paper requirements.

Academic journals can be reflective, and you can use the space to write about your feelings and thoughts on a particular topic you are studying. Academic diaries are also useful for managing time, keeping track of homework, and creating test study guides. So by maintaining an academic diary, you will never again forget about a reading assignment for history class or a worksheet for finance class. You will be better able to keep a homework schedule and thus won't procrastinate until the last minute. Having to pull an all-nighter is never fun, is it? Get an academic diary, and you'll be motivated to finish that work earlier.

Examples of Academic Journals

While the most common use of an academic year diary is to organize your academic duties, it can take on many forms and serve many purposes. And this makes them so versatile and helpful.

The diary can log classroom experiences. For example, you can write journal entries about your time in the lab for chemistry class, your experiences putting together a group project for business class, or how you performed research for a thesis paper in literature class.

Another practical example of an academic diary is one used to help with retaining course material. While you may think you can remember every little thing that gets thrown at you, by keeping a diary of what you have been told, you will soon wonder how you ever coped without one.

A diary can also help with recording ideas for certain classes. For instance, imagine you have to write an essay on a famous poet. While eating lunch, an idea for a thesis pops into your head. If you have your academic diary with you, that idea can be written down and it won't slip away.

Taking Your Academy Diary Online

The digital age has made keeping a mobile online diary easy. Diaries are protected by a password and you don't have to worry about having a pen and paper with you. Penzu's online platform and digital diary app allow you to access and write in an academic journal from any location. You get all the benefits of having a diary for school with the added security, mobility, and convenience of Penzu's services.

There's no time like the present - start your free online academic diary today!

Loved by millions!

Get access to your diary wherever you are – download the free Penzu app for your all of your iOS and Android devices today!

Diary Basics

What is a Diary?

What are Diary Entries?

How To Start and Write a Diary

Diary Types

Diary Software

Diary Template

Digital Diary Guide

Ideas for Diaries

• Health Diary

A health diary is not just a list of medical readings and calorie counts. It is a way to record feelings, goals, activities, surrounding events, and results for any particular area of health.

• Electronic Diary

Whatever your reasons for keeping a diary, you will surely appreciate the ease and convenience of an electronic diary.

Food diaries are an excellent way to track what you're eating.

• School Diary

Unlike printed diaries, which we agree are pretty “bleh”, electronic school diaries are much more customizable and some have multiple categories pre-set for you.

Write about your work experiences to reflect on your professional life to track your day-to-day work, consider career opportunities, set milestones, and achieve your goals.

• Free Signup
• Journal Prompts
• What is a Journal
• Pregnancy Journal
• Reflective Journal
• Bible Journal
• Dream Journal
• Journal Examples
• Five Year Journal
• Secret Diary
• Diary Templates
• Wedding Diary

Copyright Penzu Inc. 2024

• Dec 15, 2022

How to Start Writing a Japanese Diary Today

Updated: Aug 26, 2023

Konnichiy’all!

I hope your studying is going well! And if you took the JLPT a few weeks back, I hope you’ve had some nice time to rest and relax and maybe even actually enjoy Japanese again.

Today I’ve got another new study method to introduce. This one is geared towards practicing writing and expressing thoughts in Japanese. A lot of the time we get really caught up in studying all the vocabulary, grammar, and kanji that comes with Japanese, and everything just becomes example sentence after example sentence. We forget to make time to practice thinking for ourselves as well. So, one habit that I highly recommend everyone stacking into their study routine is…

A Japanese language diary!

Now, by diary I don’t mean that you need to write out all your deepest thoughts and feelings and spill your secrets in Japanese. I mean, you can do this. It would certainly be wonderful practice. But rather, I just mean keeping a journal or notebook where you write about your day in Japanese on a consistent basis .

A Simple Format for Your Japanese Diary

Language diary entries don't need to be anything special or lengthy. You can talk about where you went, who you saw, what you did or ate or watched or felt - anything is okay! Short and simple is absolutely fine. I recommend locking the habit down with just a couple sentences a day at first, rather than straining to write an essay each time.

The important part here is the word consistent . As always, our goal here is to build long term language habits that are easy, accessible, and meaningful. We don’t ever want studying to feel like too much of a chore.

Here’s the format that I used at first, and that I’ve also used with my students studying English:

Weather. Sentence 1. Sentence 2.

So, for example:

12月14日（水曜日）

天気は晴れです。今日は朝ごはんにたまごやきを食べました。おいしかったです。

(Tenki wa hare desu. Kyou ha asagohan ni tamagoyaki wo tabemashita. Oishikattadesu.)

(The weather is sunny. Today I ate rolled omelets for breakfast. They were delicious!)

It’s as simple as that. And it’s scalable to any level. When I was first starting out and didn’t know many kanji, vocabulary, or verb tenses, it may have looked like this:

てんきがいいです。きょうはたまごやきをたべました。おいしい！

(Tenki ga ii desu. Kyou ha tamagoyaki wo tabemashita. Oishii!)

(The weather is nice. Today I ate rolled omelets. Delicious!

And at a higher level, it will start to sound more natural:

最近天気が暖かくなってきました。今日の朝ご飯に彼女が卵焼きを作ってくれたんです。美味しくて最高でした♡

(Saikin tenki ga atatakaku natte kimashita. Kyou no asagohan ni kanojo ga tamagoyaki wo tsukutte kuretandesu. Oishikutesaikoudeshita.)

Naturally, as your Japanese knowledge and speed increases, your entries will probably increase in length. It’s exciting to be able to express more complex thoughts! However, even once you’ve started branching into longer entries, you can always come back to this weather + 2 sentences format to maintain the writing habit on a busy day, or when you’re not feeling very motivated. Just like how you can save your Duolingo streak with a single lesson, just a sentence or two means you didn’t miss your writing habit for the day.

6 tips to make the most of your Japanese diary:

1. write in polite japanese.

When I started writing my diary, the teacher who checked my entries had a rule that I had to write in polite language. That meant desu/masu form, all the time. I hated this rule. I wanted to practice casual Japanese too! I didn’t want to sound like a robot.

Oh my god, I am so grateful now. The fact is that no matter what your plans are with Japanese, you are going to need to use polite language a lot. For starters, any interactions that happen with staff at restaurants, izakaya, hotels, stores, etc., should happen in polite language. And yes, there is definitely a foreigner card for not using the correct level of politeness in your speech, but it can still be shocking and make someone come off as rude when that was never the intention. Even if you make Japanese friends or date Japanese people while living in Japan, you’ll start off using polite language with new people - just like you would at home.

Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t ever use or practice casual language. But whether you’re interested in traveling, studying, living, or working here, you should be able to speak politely first and foremost. Please don’t be the foreigner who speaks anime Japanese in Japan. In 99% of situations, it’s way more acceptable to speak too politely than it is to speak too casually here, especially if you’re young. So, I recommend practicing expressing your thoughts in polite Japanese, so that when it’s time to convey them to a Japanese person, you won’t accidentally let bad vibes slip off your tongue.

2. Find the frequency and entry length that works for you

I gave a weather + 2 sentences/day recommendation above, but the truth is that I’ve actually used a slightly different format for about two years now. I had Japanese lessons with a volunteer teacher twice a week when I was living in the Kansai region, and my diary was my homework. I work very well with deadlines, so having the twice a week deadline meant I built the habit of writing my diary twice a week. To make up for the lower frequency, I wrote slightly longer entries, about 5-7 sentences per entry. It was really easy to stack the habit of writing my diary entries at lunch before my lesson. So, find the frequency and length that will play to your strengths and fit easily into your schedule.

3. Choose your focus and format

If you want to learn to write Japanese, I definitely recommend a written diary in a notebook or journal. As you build your writing habit, the most important and commonly used kanji for you personally will become muscle memory. There’s a ton of benefit beyond just learning to write as well - your hand is connected to your mind, and you’ll remember the readings and meanings of kanji and words more clearly by writing them down yourself.

That being said, many people these days don’t bother learning to write Japanese . I do have to say, even living in Japan I barely ever need to write in Japanese. Though I can’t speak for working in an actual Japanese company, as far as daily life goes, just knowing how to read and type is definitely enough to get by these days. Japanese people themselves are also forgetting how to write a lot of more complex kanji as we shift to using more and more technology in our lives.

So, if you’d rather only focus on learning how to express your thoughts in Japanese, then a typed diary in a Google document might be the way to go. It’s way easier to access, and therefore do, since most of us have our phones all the time. The choice is up to you and your language learning goals!

4. Don’t write the same thing every day

This is probably common sense for someone learning a language because of internal motivation, but my Japanese students are very guilty of submitting a full week of English diaries that all say “The weather is sunny. Today I ate curry/stew/a hamburger/corn. It was delicious.” Now, they’re probably all really wonderful at saying that their lunch was great, but I’m not sure that the diary homework benefitted them much outside of that.

For best results, mix and match the vocabulary and grammar you know to express lots of different ideas and opinions. It’s more fun this way, and you’ll learn a lot of stuff along the way without having to open a textbook.

5. Read it back to yourself out loud to check for mistakes

This was something I didn’t do for a long time because I had a teacher reading it for me, but I wish I had been doing it all along. Oftentimes when we’re writing fast we forget words, make small mistakes, or throw out something awkward or incorrect, even in our mother tongues. Naturally, it’s going to happen in Japanese too, probably to a greater extent.

More often than you’d expect, you can sense when something’s off just by reading it over one more time. Speaking aloud also lets you know if it sounds off for some reason, such as strange wording or a grammar mistake. (Actually, I’d recommend this strategy for editing any English writing as well, to be honest!)

Beyond this, reading your entries back to yourself provides nice reading practice and review of any of the new words you’ve looked up and learned while writing, as well as rare speaking practice of more than a sentence at a time.

6. If you fall off the horse, just get back on

As with any habit, study or otherwise, sometimes life gets in the way of consistency. To be honest, when I moved and my daily routine changed so much, I stopped writing my diary for a time as well. But even if you miss a day or a week or a month or a year, what’s important with is just picking it up again and getting back on track. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, stick to the weather and 2-sentence structure for as long as you need to, and build (and rebuild) habits at your own pace. I promise the effort pays off over time.

Well, that’s it for your Japanese diary! As always, good luck with your studies and I hope you find this method to be useful!

If you enjoyed this post and don't want to miss the next ones, please make sure to hit the like button and use the box below to subscribe to Konnichiyall! Additionally, any social shares of this post will help so much to grow the community!

読でくれてありがとうございます！

P.S. I’m planning to put together a Japanese diary circle with weekly deadlines to help with motivation. Ideally, I’d like for it to be a space where we can share diary entries, questions, and support each other in the learning process. I’ll be polling soon about frequency and potential platforms to use on my Twitter , so please give me a follow and vote!

Want more Japanese Language Learning content? Here are some of my go-to study methods and tips for learning Japanese on your own!

Where to Start with Self-Studying Japanese: Habit Building

The Secret to Actually Speaking Japanese: Podcasts

How to Fail the JLPT in 5 Steps

• Japanese Language Learning

Recent Posts

The Trick I Used to Read Japanese Faster: Study with Karaoke

How to Learn Japanese Kanji the Fast Way: WaniKani

How to Learn Japanese Fast: Beat the Japanese Memorization Game

Comentarios

Join the konnichiyall community.

Subscribe to our email list and be the first to know about new posts.

Thanks for submitting!

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

The Daily Habit That Nutritionists Say Can Drastically Improve Your Diet

By Hannah Coates

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.

Whether its walking to work (a fantastic habit for all-round health) or ensuring you get enough light in the mornings (improves your sleep, mood, and focus), sometimes small, simple things can make a big difference to our lifestyle. One of the most effective tips I’ve picked up from my time working with nutritionists and other health experts is also super simple: Keeping a food diary can pay when it comes to understanding your diet.

The benefits of keeping a food diary

Pay a visit to any health expert and they will almost certainly ask you keep a comprehensive food diary for a couple of weeks. The idea is to write down everything you consume–food and drinks–and ideally the emotions you experience each day, too. “It can provide invaluable information about how your food may be affecting your mood, metabolism, energy, and more,” explains Rhian Stephenson, nutritionist, naturopath and founder of Artah , who points out that the process is not–I repeat, not about tracking calories.

Instead, it’s a great tool to help you “identify obstacles that may be preventing you from hitting your health goals, learning about eating behaviors that may be sabotaging your progress and to check in on important nutritional parameters like fibre, protein, sugar and more.”

Eating a diverse array of plants is now widely acknowledged as an important health goal, and a food diary helps you to grasp how many fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, and whole grains (for example) you are ingesting each day. Not to mention the fact that it also helps you ensure you’re eating adequate protein and fiber–both of which are good for gut health and overall wellbeing.

As someone who tends to forget what she’s consumed (especially the foods that aren’t so great for my health, funnily enough), keeping a food diary ensures I stay mindful and aware of what I’m eating. In my experience, it’s really easy to think you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet, when in reality you might not be, so it’s a good way to confront your daily consumption in black and white.

What to observe through your food diary

It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than simply writing down what you’ve consumed, but identifying any patterns that might emerge is where the magic really happens. Here are some things Stephenson, as a nutritionist, always looks out for:

• Sugar intake: This includes obviously sugar-laden foods and those that contain hidden sugar.
• Alcohol and caffeine: Our consumption can creep up without us noticing.
• Snacking: We often do this on autopilot and constant snacking can impact our microbiome.
• How you feel and the impact of food: Your mood is influenced by everything you eat, so making a note of this each day can add a layer of depth to your tracking, and ultimately help you make changes to rectify the situation.
• The times you eat: This can help you manage cravings, appetite, satiety and gut health.

Where to write it all down

It’s up to you. While some people love to put pen to paper, others find it easier to write in the Notes section on their phone. I belong in the latter camp for on-the-go tracking, but there are also programs, like Zoe , that offer digital diaries within their apps. Make sure to update your diary every day of the week, including the weekend. “Most people shy away from tracking at weekends because it can vary from weekday patterns so dramatically, but this is precisely why they should be included,” says Stephenson. “Weekends make up 30 percent of your year, so it’s important to get a realistic view of what your norm is.”

And finally? “Approach the exercise with curiosity, not judgement,” recommends Stephenson. “Removing the shame around food is essential for long-term health and enjoyment. Food logging can be eye opening, but it is meant to be a tool to help you make positive changes that will benefit your health and wellbeing, rather than something that makes you feel bad about yourself.”

Vogue Beauty

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Architectural Digest.. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.