Writing about your feelings and what happens every day can make you feel better. A person who helps others with their feelings, Julia Samuel, says that writing can help you feel less worried and happier. Writing can make you feel calm, even if you don’t let anyone else read it. But if you write for other people to read, like Adam Kay, who used to be a doctor, you might write in a different way.

People have been writing about their lives for a long time. Some diaries from the past are famous, like the ones by Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank. They help us understand what life was like before. A writer named Travis Elborough thinks diaries are good because they let people be creative and teach us about the past.

But writing a diary can sometimes be hard. If you don’t write in it all the time, you might feel bad. Someone could read your diary and not like what you wrote. Also, you have to choose what to write about and keep doing it, which takes work. Whether writing a diary is good for you depends on why you are doing it.

Original news source: Can writing a diary protect your mental health? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Word Association
Instructions: In this activity, the teacher will give a word related to the article, such as “diary” or “writing.” Each student will then have to quickly say another word that comes to mind when they hear that word. For example, if the word is “diary,” a student might say “journal” or “secrets.” This activity will help students practice their vocabulary and make connections between words.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Each student will choose a specific scene or moment from the article and sketch it on a piece of paper. After everyone has finished, they will take turns explaining their sketch to the class, using English to describe what they drew. This activity will help students practice their descriptive skills and improve their ability to communicate in English.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: The teacher will ask the students a series of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think writing a diary can help you feel less worried?” or “Would you feel comfortable letting other people read your diary?” Each student will then have to give their opinion by raising their hand or standing in a designated area of the classroom. The teacher can facilitate a discussion afterwards to encourage students to explain their opinions in English.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Each student will have to create a headline for the article using no more than 10 words. They can use the main ideas or key words from the article to come up with a catchy and concise headline. After everyone has finished, they will share their headlines with the class and discuss why they chose those words. This activity will help students practice summarizing information and using concise language.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of diary writing. They can discuss questions such as “Will people still write diaries in the future?” or “How might technology influence the way people keep diaries?” Each group will then present their predictions to the class, using English to explain their ideas. This activity will encourage students to think critically and express their ideas in English.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How can writing about your feelings make you feel better?
2. Who is Julia Samuel and what does she say about writing?
3. Why might someone write in a different way if they want other people to read their writing?
4. Who are some famous people from the past who wrote diaries?
5. Why does Travis Elborough think diaries are good?
6. What are some reasons why writing a diary can be hard?
7. Is writing a diary good for everyone? Why or why not?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Writing about your (1)______ and what (2)______ every day can (3)______ you feel better. A person who helps others with their feelings, Julia Samuel, says that writing can help you feel less worried and happier. Writing can make you feel calm, even if you don’t let anyone else (4)______ it. But if you write for other people to read, like (5)______ Kay, who used to be a (6)______, you might write in a different way.

People have been writing about their lives for a long time. Some diaries from the past are famous, like the ones by Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank. They help us understand what life was like before. A writer named Travis (7)______ thinks diaries are good because they let people be (8)______ and (9)______ us about the past.

But writing a diary can sometimes be hard. If you don’t write in it all the time, you might feel bad. Someone could read your (10)______ and not like what you (11)______. Also, you have to choose what to write about and keep doing it, which takes work. Whether writing a diary is (12)______ for you depends on why you are doing it.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a diary and why do people write in it?
2. How would you feel if someone read your diary without your permission?
3. Do you think writing in a diary can make you feel better? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever written in a diary? How did it make you feel?
5. What do you think is the difference between writing in a diary for yourself and writing for other people to read?
6. Do you like writing about your feelings? Why or why not?
7. How do you think writing in a diary can help us understand the past?
8. What do you think are some challenges of writing in a diary?
9. Why do you think some people feel bad if they don’t write in their diary all the time?
10. Do you think it’s important to keep your diary private or share it with others? Why or why not?
11. How do you think writing in a diary can help you be creative?
12. Do you think writing in a diary is a good way to remember things that happen every day? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. writing
2. feelings
3. worried
4. happier
5. diaries
6. famous
7. creative
8. choose

Meanings:
(a) Well-known or well-known by many people
(b) Deciding what you want or prefer to do
(c) Putting words on paper or a computer
(d) Emotions or emotions you have inside
(e) Feeling more joyful or content
(f) Books where people write about their lives
(g) Using your imagination to make something new
(h) Feeling anxious or concerned about something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. According to Julia Samuel, writing about your feelings can help you feel:
(a) more worried and sadder
(b) more worried and happier
(c) less worried and happier
(d) less worried and sadder

2. Which famous diarist wrote about their life during World War II?
(a) Samuel Pepys
(b) Travis Elborough
(c) Anne Frank
(d) Adam Kay

3. Writing a diary can be hard if:
(a) you don’t write in it all the time
(b) you let someone else read it
(c) you write about your feelings
(d) you write about what happens every day

4. According to Travis Elborough, diaries can:
(a) make us feel worried and sad
(b) make us feel calm and happy
(c) help us understand the future
(d) let people be creative and teach us about the past

5. Adam Kay used to be a:
(a) doctor
(b) writer
(c) teacher
(d) scientist

6. Writing a diary can make you feel calm, even if:
(a) you write in it all the time
(b) you don’t let anyone else read it
(c) you write about your feelings
(d) you write about what happens every day

7. Some famous diaries from the past are written by:
(a) Julia Samuel and Travis Elborough
(b) Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank
(c) Adam Kay and Samuel Pepys
(d) Anne Frank and Travis Elborough

8. Writing a diary can be hard because:
(a) you have to choose what to write about and keep doing it
(b) it can make you feel worried and sad
(c) all of the above
(d) someone could read it and not like what you wrote

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Whether writing a diary is beneficial for you depends on why you are doing it.
2. Diaries from the past, like those by Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank, help us understand what life was like before.
3. Writing can help you feel calm, even if you don’t share it with anyone else.
4. Adam Kay, a former doctor, writes in a different way when he writes for others to read.
5. Julia Samuel, a person who helps others with their feelings, believes that writing can make you feel more worried and sadder.
6. Writing about your feelings and daily experiences can make you feel worse.
7. Writing a diary can always be challenging, especially if you don’t write in it regularly.
8. Travis Elborough, a writer, believes that diaries are bad because they restrict people from being creative and mislead us about the past.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why does writing about your feelings and what happens every day make you feel better?
2. Who is Julia Samuel and what does she say about writing?
3. Name two famous diaries from the past.
4. Why can writing a diary sometimes be hard?
5. What does Travis Elborough think is good about diaries?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How can writing about your feelings make you feel better?
Writing about your feelings can make you feel better because it helps you to express and understand your emotions. It can also provide a sense of relief and release any stress or worries you may have.

2. Who is Julia Samuel and what does she say about writing?
Julia Samuel is someone who helps others with their feelings. She says that writing can help you feel less worried and happier. It can make you feel calm, even if you don’t share it with anyone else.

3. Why might someone write in a different way if they want other people to read their writing?
If someone wants other people to read their writing, they might write in a different way to make it more interesting or entertaining. They may also want to make sure their writing is clear and easy to understand for others.

4. Who are some famous people from the past who wrote diaries?
Some famous people from the past who wrote diaries are Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank. Their diaries are well-known and help us understand what life was like before.

5. Why does Travis Elborough think diaries are good?
Travis Elborough thinks diaries are good because they allow people to be creative and express themselves. They also teach us about the past and provide insight into different experiences and perspectives.

6. What are some reasons why writing a diary can be hard?
Writing a diary can be hard because you have to remember to write in it regularly. It can also be challenging to choose what to write about and keep up with the commitment of writing every day. Additionally, there is a fear of someone reading your diary and not liking what you wrote.

7. Is writing a diary good for everyone? Why or why not?
Writing a diary may not be good for everyone because it depends on the individual and their reasons for writing. Some people may find it helpful and therapeutic, while others may not enjoy writing or find it too personal. It’s important to find what works best for each person’s needs and preferences.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) feelings
(2) happens
(3) make
(4) read
(5) Adam
(6) doctor
(7) Elborough
(8) creative
(9) teach
(10) diary
(11) wrote
(12) good
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. writing
Answer: (c) Putting words on paper or a computer

2. feelings
Answer: (d) Emotions or emotions you have inside

3. worried
Answer: (h) Feeling anxious or concerned about something

4. happier
Answer: (e) Feeling more joyful or content

5. diaries
Answer: (f) Books where people write about their lives

6. famous
Answer: (a) Well-known or well-known by many people

7. creative
Answer: (g) Using your imagination to make something new

8. choose
Answer: (b) Deciding what you want or prefer to do
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. According to Julia Samuel, writing about your feelings can help you feel:
Answer: (c) less worried and happier

2. Which famous diarist wrote about their life during World War II?
Answer: (c) Anne Frank

3. Writing a diary can be hard if:
Answer: (a) you don’t write in it all the time

4. According to Travis Elborough, diaries can:
Answer: (d) let people be creative and teach us about the past

5. Adam Kay used to be a:
Answer: (a) doctor

6. Writing a diary can make you feel calm, even if:
Answer: (b) you don’t let anyone else read it

7. Some famous diaries from the past are written by:
Answer: (b) Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank

8. Writing a diary can be hard because:
Answer: (d) someone could read it and not like what you wrote
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Whether writing a diary is beneficial for you depends on why you are doing it. (Answer: True)
2. Diaries from the past, like those by Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank, help us understand what life was like before. (Answer: True)
3. Writing can help you feel calm, even if you don’t share it with anyone else. (Answer: True)
4. Adam Kay, a former doctor, writes in a different way when he writes for others to read. (Answer: True)
5. Julia Samuel, a person who helps others with their feelings, believes that writing can make you feel more worried and sadder. (Answer: False)
6. Writing about your feelings and daily experiences can make you feel worse. (Answer: False)
7. Writing a diary can always be challenging, especially if you don’t write in it regularly. (Answer: False)
8. Travis Elborough, a writer, believes that diaries are bad because they restrict people from being creative and mislead us about the past. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧