How to Write a Diary Entry for IB English B
Writing a diary entry for IB English B requires creativity, personal reflection, and
appropriate language use. Here’s a guide to help you structure and write a diary entry
effectively.
1. Understanding the Diary Entry Format
A diary is a personal and informal text type where the writer expresses their thoughts,
feelings, and experiences. It should feel authentic and natural, as if you are writing for
yourself rather than an audience.
Key characteristics:
✔ First-person perspective (e.g., I can’t believe what happened today!)
✔ Expressive and emotional tone
✔ Chronological structure (events unfold as they happened)
✔ Reflection and personal thoughts
✔ Conversational and informal language
2. Structure of a Diary Entry
1. Date & Salutation
Start with a date and an optional greeting.
📌 Tuesday, 12 March 2025
📌 Dear Diary,
2. Introduction
Begin by setting the context:
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
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What happened today?
How do you feel?
Why is this event important?
Example:
👉 Today was one of the most stressful days of my life! My English exam didn’t go as
planned, and I just can’t stop thinking about it.
3. Body (Main Event & Emotions)



Describe what happened in detail.
Show your emotions and reactions.
Use rhetorical questions, exclamations, and personal reflections.
Example:
👉 Why did I freeze during the exam? I had studied so hard, but as soon as I saw the essay
question, my mind went blank! I could hear the clock ticking, and my anxiety only got
worse.
4. Conclusion (Reflection & Future Plans)
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
Reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Mention what you will do next.
Example:
👉 I guess I need to work on staying calm under pressure. Maybe I should try meditation or
deep breathing exercises before my next test.
3. Language Features
🔹 Informal and conversational style
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Use contractions (I’m, I’ve, I can’t).
Use slang or idiomatic expressions if appropriate (That exam was a total disaster!).
🔹 Emotional language
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Express your feelings (I’m so excited/nervous/shocked!).
Use punctuation to show emotions (I can’t believe it!!!).
🔹 Rhetorical questions

Engage the diary as if it were a friend (Why does this always happen to me?).
🔹 Descriptive and sensory language

Describe sights, sounds, and feelings (My hands were shaking, and I could hear my
heart pounding in my chest).
4. Example Diary Entry
📅 Wednesday, 13 March 2025
📝 Dear Diary,
I can’t believe what just happened! Today was my first day at my new school, and it was a
total disaster. I was so nervous that I tripped while walking into class—right in front of
everyone! How embarrassing!
The worst part? I had to introduce myself, and my voice was shaking so much that I could
barely speak. I could feel my face turning bright red! Why does my brain always freeze at
the worst moments?
But at least one good thing happened—after class, a girl named Emma came up to me and
said she also felt nervous on her first day. She even invited me to sit with her at lunch!
Maybe tomorrow won’t be so bad after all…
That’s all for now. I just hope things get better soon!

Me
5. Tips for IB English B Diary Writing
✅ Stick to the word limit given in the exam.
✅ Use personal thoughts and emotions to make it authentic.
✅ Avoid making it too formal or structured—it should feel natural.
✅ Check for basic grammar mistakes, but don’t stress about being too polished.
✅ Have fun! Writing a diary should feel personal and expressive.
Would you like me to check a diary entry you wrote? 😊