Writing part two of the main body of a diary entry | English

Starter quiz

Order the sections of a diary entry.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  opening
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  first part of the main body
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  second part of the main body
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  closing
Which key points should be included in the second part of the main body paragraph?
- Gobber welcomed us to the arena.
- He explained which dragons were in the enclosure.
- Gobber revealed the Gronckle and set it free inside the arena. ✓
- The Gronckle cornered me. ✓
- Gobber captured the Gronckle and saved me. ✓
Match the sentence types to their definitions.
- simple
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence formed of one main clause ✓
- compound
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence formed of two main clauses ✓
- adverbial complex
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence formed of a main clause and a type of subordinate clause ✓
Match the sentence types to their examples.
- simple
  
  ⇔
  
  I was sure that I was about to die. ✓
- compound
  
  ⇔
  
  The dragon roared and it fixed its gaze on me. ✓
- adverbial complex
  
  ⇔
  
  As it drew closer, I froze. ✓
Select the co-ordinating conjunctions.
- and ✓
- as
- but ✓
- or ✓
- if
Select the subordinating conjunctions.
- as ✓
- after ✓
- which
- and
- because ✓

Exit quiz

Match the keywords to their definitions.
- relative complex sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause ✓
- relative clause
  
  ⇔
  
  a type of subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun ✓
- non-finite complex sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence formed of a main and a non-finite subordinate clause ✓
- non-finite clause
  
  ⇔
  
  a subordinate clause that begins with a verb in the progressive tense ✓
Match the clause types to their definitions.
- main
  
  ⇔
  
  contains a verb and makes sense on its own ✓
- subordinate
  
  ⇔
  
  contains a verb and does not make sense on its own ✓
- relative
  
  ⇔
  
  a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun ✓
A __________ sentence contains a main clause and a subordinate clause.
- simple
- compound
- complex ✓
Match the complex sentence types to their definitions.
- adverbial complex
  
  ⇔
  
  formed of a main and an adverbial subordinate clause ✓
- relative complex
  
  ⇔
  
  formed of a main and a relative subordinate clause ✓
- non-finite complex
  
  ⇔
  
  formed of a main and a non-finite subordinate clause ✓
Match the complex sentence types to their examples.
- adverbial complex
  
  ⇔
  
  As it gazed at me, I shuddered. ✓
- relative complex
  
  ⇔
  
  I grabbed a shield, which felt heavy in my arms. ✓
- non-finite complex
  
  ⇔
  
  Flying around the arena, the dragon roared angrily. ✓
Select the suffix found in progressive tense verbs.
- -ed
- -ing ✓
- -ful
- -ly

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The purpose of the main body is to describe events, thoughts and feelings in detail.
Using a variety of sentence types and structures enhances text cohesion.
Informal tone can be achieved through use of contractions and exclamations.
Adverbials of time can be used to sequence events.

Common misconception

Pupils may over-use one type of sentence, leading to poor text cohesion.

The range of sentence types are reviewed in learning cycle one with relative and non-finite complex sentences reviewed in detail. Encourage pupils to vary the placement of the subordinate clause in their complex sentences to enhance text cohesion.

Keywords

Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
Non-finite complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a non-finite subordinate clause
Non-finite clause - a type of subordinate clause that can start with a verb in the progressive tense