What a good diary entry must contain: the day, date and time at the top; 'Dear Diary,'; an opening sentence about the mood of the day; a middle full of small exact details (what you saw, heard, smelt, did); your private feelings, which is what makes it a diary and not a report; and a closing remark. Past tense throughout, first person, about 120–150 words. No address and no 'Yours sincerely' — a diary is not a letter.
Sample answer:
Friday, 15 July 20XX
6:30 p.m.
Dear Diary,
It was quite humid today. On my journey back from school, I wished that it would rain. And it did! The first drops hit the hot road and the whole lane smelt of wet dust — that smell I like better than any perfume. By the time I reached our gate my socks were soaked and my hair was flat on my forehead, and I did not care at all. Amma scolded me for two minutes and then made pakoras.
The best part came afterwards. The drain in front of our house had turned into a proper little river, so Meera and I tore out the last pages of our old rough notebooks and folded paper boats. Mine sailed almost up to the corner shop before it tipped over. Meera's sank at once, and she blamed the fold. We ran along beside them, shouting, until the rain stopped as suddenly as it had started.
I am writing this by the window with a cup of tea. The sky is still grey and there is thunder somewhere far away. I hope it rains again tomorrow.