Technical Writing Manual: Keeping a Diary Primary 6 (Basic 6) Second Term Week 1 English Studies

TECHNICAL WRITING MANUAL: KEEPING A DIARY PRIMARY 6 (BASIC 6) SECOND TERM WEEK 1 ENGLISH STUDIES

ENGLISH STUDIES

SECOND TERM

WEEK 1

PRIMARY 6 (BASIC 6) 

THEME – WRITING 

TOPIC – KEEPING A DIARY 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, most pupils should be able to:

1. define a diary correctly.

2. explain the purpose of keeping a diary.

3. identify the features of a diary entry.

4. write diary entries using correct format (date and events).

5. use first person pronouns (I, my, we) in diary writing.

6. arrange events in correct order when writing a diary.

7. write simple and meaningful diary entries about daily activities.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

The pupils can read and write.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of Sample of a Diary.

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

A diary is a personal record where a person writes about daily activities, experiences, thoughts, and feelings. People usually write diaries every day or regularly.

IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING A DIARY

1. It helps people remember important events.

2. It improves writing skills.

3. It helps people express feelings and thoughts.

4. It keeps personal records safe for future reference.

FEATURES OF A DIARY

1. Date and time

2. Personal experiences

3. Written in first person (I, my, we)

4. Simple and clear language

5. Events written in order

GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING A DIARY

1. Write the date at the top of the page.

2. Record events clearly and honestly.

3. Write regularly.

4. Use simple sentences and correct punctuation.

5. Keep the diary neat and private.

SAMPLE DIARY ENTRY

SAMPLE 1 

Monday, 12th January, 2026

Today was very interesting. I went to school early and participated in our sports practice. During break time, I played football with my friends.

After school, I helped my mother in the kitchen and completed my homework. In the evening, I watched television and prepared for tomorrow’s lessons. I was happy because I had a productive day.

SAMPLE 2

Monday, 5th January, 2026

Today was a busy day. I woke up early and prepared for school. In school, we learned English and Mathematics. I answered many questions correctly and my teacher praised me. After school, I helped my mother at home and did my homework. I felt very happy today.

SAMPLE 3

Wednesday, 7th February, 2026

Today, I was late to school because I missed the bus. I was a little worried, but my teacher allowed me into the class. We wrote a test in English. I tried my best, but some questions were difficult. After school, I read my books and prepared for tomorrow’s lessons.

SAMPLE 4

Friday, 9th March, 2026

Today was a very exciting day. Our school held a clean-up exercise. I worked with my classmates to clean the classroom and school compound. Later, we played football during break time. I enjoyed the day very much and went home feeling happy and tired.

BENEFITS OF KEEPING A DIARY

1. It develops good writing habits.

2. It improves memory.

3. It encourages self-expression.

4. It helps people reflect on their daily lives.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. To introduce the lesson, the teacher revises the previous lesson by asking pupils what they did the day before.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils respond by describing their daily activities.

2. The teacher organizes the pupils into groups or pairs depending on the size of the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Each pupil belongs to a group.

3. The teacher presents a sample diary entry and guides pupils to read it aloud.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils read the diary entry aloud with correct pronunciation.

4. The teacher explains the meaning, features, and format of diary writing using the sample.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils identify the date, events, and personal expressions in the diary.

5. The teacher demonstrates how to write a diary entry step by step on the board.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils follow the teacher’s demonstration and take notes.

6. The teacher gives pupils practice exercises to write their own diary entries.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils write short diary entries about their daily activities.

7. The teacher summarizes the lesson and corrects pupils’ mistakes where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: The pupils participate actively and make corrections.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. what is a diary?

2. mention four features of a diary.

3. why is keeping a diary important?

4. what pronouns are commonly used in diary writing?

5. write a short diary entry about your day.

PRACTICE EXERCISE/TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTIONS

A. Fill in the Blanks

1. A diary is a record of a person’s daily ______ and experiences.

2. Diary entries are usually written in the ______ person.

3. We use words like “I” and “my” in a ______.

4. The date is written at the ______ of a diary entry.

5. A diary should be written in ______ language.

B. Choose the Correct Answer

6. A diary is mainly used to record:

A. Daily activities

B. Stories only

C. Songs

D. Exams

7. Which of these is a feature of a diary?

A. Formal address

B. Receiver’s address

C. Signature

D. Date

8. Diary writing is usually:

A. Formal

B. Personal

C. Official

D. Legal

9. Which pronoun is commonly used in diary writing?

A. He

B. She

C. I

D. They

10. Events in a diary are written in:

A. Random order

B. Alphabetical order

C. Correct order

D. No order

C. Answer the Following Questions

11. What is a diary?

12. Mention three features of a diary.

13. Why do people keep diaries?

14. What pronouns are used in diary writing?

15. Write two sentences you can include in a diary entry.

D. Write a Diary Entry

16. Write a diary entry about your school day.

17. Write a diary entry about your weekend.

18. Write a diary entry about a happy day.

19. Write a diary entry about helping at home.

20. Write a diary entry about your best day in school.

ANSWERS

A. Fill in the Blanks

1. activities

2. first

3. diary

4. top

6. simple

B. Multiple Choice

6. A

7. D

8. B

9. C

10. C

C. Sample Answers

11. A diary is a personal record of daily activities and experiences.

12. Date, personal experiences, first person writing.

13. To record and remember daily events.

14. I, my, we.

15. Example: I went to school today. I played with my friends.