War and Conflict: Non Fiction
In this unit we will investigate various non-fiction texts including diary entries, letters and feature articles and see how they reflect issues surrounding War. Each of these text types serves a unique perspective, some are observational, some are emotive retells and others are persuasive and opinionative. As we examine these three text types, we will compare their similarities and differences, and complete a comprehension, creative and persuasion task for each type.
Diary Entries
Diary Entries are usually reflective or observational and don't have any restrictions on layout or length (some entries might be a sentence others may be 10 pages long). The only thing that ties most diary entries together is the date at the top of each entry to indicate the passing of time. People write diaries to preserve their memory of events or vent their concerns, so they can be deeply personal and very emotive. Most times, they are not being written to be read by others, so the audience does not influence the writing so much as the author's desire to express feelings and experiences.
Diary entries are always written in first person, follow a chronological format, and are in past tense. Depending on the regularity with which the entries are written, they can be a summary of a day, a few days, or a few weeks, so they don't tend to go back further in time than the last entry.
At times, diary entries may simply explain an event from that person's perspective. Collectively diary entries can show readers the subtle changes in a person (or fictional character) over time. We can watch them descend into madness or fall in love or gain hope in an impossible situation, to name a few. To better understand the text type of diary entries and the historical context of War we will read through and analyse dairy entries from soldiers at war.
Diary Entries
Diary Entries are usually reflective or observational and don't have any restrictions on layout or length (some entries might be a sentence others may be 10 pages long). The only thing that ties most diary entries together is the date at the top of each entry to indicate the passing of time. People write diaries to preserve their memory of events or vent their concerns, so they can be deeply personal and very emotive. Most times, they are not being written to be read by others, so the audience does not influence the writing so much as the author's desire to express feelings and experiences.
Diary entries are always written in first person, follow a chronological format, and are in past tense. Depending on the regularity with which the entries are written, they can be a summary of a day, a few days, or a few weeks, so they don't tend to go back further in time than the last entry.
At times, diary entries may simply explain an event from that person's perspective. Collectively diary entries can show readers the subtle changes in a person (or fictional character) over time. We can watch them descend into madness or fall in love or gain hope in an impossible situation, to name a few. To better understand the text type of diary entries and the historical context of War we will read through and analyse dairy entries from soldiers at war.
Click here to read the dairy of Ellis Silas, an Australian Soldier during WWI
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diary_entries_activities.docx |