Keeping a diary has several purposes such as tracking daily activities, expressing feelings, and practicing writing. There are different types of diaries like general diaries about daily life, feelings diaries, food diaries, and travel diaries. Blogs are online diaries that can be used to share experiences. Diaries should use past tense to reflect on past events. Writing in a diary has no wrong way and can be whatever the writer wants or needs it to be.

1. Keeping a Diary

2. PurposeKeep track of what you do through the day.Helps you express your feelings.Good for writing practice.Releases inner thoughts.Something to look back on when you are older

3. Types of DiariesGeneral, everyday diary - Used to tell about your daily activities. You can write about special occurrences from the day, what made you happy, something that got you excited, who you talked to, what grade you got on your math test, etc. Feelings diary - You can also express your feelings about love, anger, frustration, sadness. This often helps people cope with the things in their lives. Food diary - Some people choose to write down their meals for each day, so that they can keep track of what, and how much, they are eating. These are often used for people who are on a diet or who work out a lot.Idea diary - Some people who like to create things often keep a diary full of ideas. It’s usually near them, so when something comes to mind, they can write it down quickly before they forget it.Travel diaries - These are used when people are traveling around, so that they can keep track of the sites they see on their journey.

4. BlogsA blog is a type of diary or journal that is posted on the internet. Some people write about travel, cooking, technology, news, fashion, wedding and other things. I use a blog online to tell my friends and family back home about things I do in Korea. http://colleeninsouthkorea.blogspot.com/

5. Using Past TenseDiaries are a reflection of things that have already happened, therefore should be in past-tense. If you are writing about something you would like to do in the future, then it is okay to use future-tense.

6. You Can’t Go Wrong!You can never do a diary wrong. Your diary is whatever you want or need it to be

7. General DiaryLet’s work on writing a general diary. Look at your work sheet, and fill in some things you did yesterday. Try to fill in as much as possible.My Example:7:00am – I woke up and ate breakfast.9:00am – I cleaned my apartment and took a shower.1:00pm – I went shopping at E-Mart.3:00pm – I watched a movie with my husband6:00pm – We went to dinner at Outback Steak House10:00pm – I went to bed.

8. Feelings DiaryHere is a list of common feelingsHappy – feeling pleasure and enjoymentAnger – Displeasure , hostility. Can me mild or severe.Sadness – Unhappy. Feeling sorrow .Confusion –a situation in which people are uncertain about what to do or are unable to understand something clearlyFrustration – A deep dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.Fear – Aversion

9. Feelings DiaryJealousy – Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that occur when a person believes a valued relationship is being threatened by a rival.Pride – Exaggerated positive evaluation of oneself based on a devaluation of others.Guilt – Culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy.Envy – Painful or resentful emotion. Awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.Shame – A condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute.

10. Feelings DiaryLove – A strong affection for anotherTrust – Firm belief in reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.Hope – To cherish a desire with anticipation. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

11. Feelings DiaryThese feelings are listed on your worksheet. I want you two pick 2 or 3 and write what makes you feel that emotionMy Example:When I am with my family, I am happy.I have a fear of spiders.I feel guilt when I steal from my parents.I am jealous of my friend, because she has a nice house.I hope I will do well in high school.