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Diary, Journal, Article, Report Format | ICSE Class 8

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English LanguageICSE Class 8 · Diary, Journal, Article and Report Writing

Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone (ICSE Class 8)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

A diary is a private first-person record of a day and feelings; a journal is a series of dated entries recording learning or observations; an article is written for publication with a title and byline; a report is an objective, past-tense account of an event with the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and events in order. Choose the form from the reader and purpose.

Understand Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone

Four forms.

FormReaderPurposeTone and tense
Diaryyourselfa day and your feelingspersonal, first person, mostly past
Journalyourself or a teacherlearning and observations over timethoughtful, dated entries
Articlethe publicinform, explain or persuadeengaging, title and byline
Reportan organisation or readersfacts of an eventobjective, past tense, often passive

Diary entry. Day and date at the top left ("Monday, 14th December 2026"); optional "Dear Diary,"; the events in order with how you felt; a closing thought. First person, mostly past for events and present for present feelings.

Journal. A series of dated entries. Each has a date, what you observed or did, and what you learnt or wondered. It is more focused and less emotional than a diary (a plant-growth journal, a reading journal, a weather log).

Article. Catchy title; byline ("by Riya Sen, Class VIII-A"); an introduction with a hook and the topic; two or three body paragraphs each on one aspect (causes, effects, solutions); a conclusion with an opinion or call to action. The tone suits the readers.

Report. Heading; byline; opening paragraph with the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why); under 'Who', say who organised and who attended; under 'Why', give the purpose of the event; body in chronological order; closing with the outcome. Use the past tense, the third person and the passive voice where suitable; keep your own opinions out and quote someone instead.

Research with technology. Use specific search words; prefer reliable sources such as government sites and encyclopaedias; cross-check a fact in two sources; note the source and write in your own words; copying is plagiarism.

Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone: key facts

Diary entry parts
  • Day and date
  • Dear Diary
  • Events in order
  • Feelings
  • Closing thought
First person, mostly past tense.
Article parts
  • Title
  • Byline
  • Hook introduction
  • Body paragraphs
  • Conclusion
Tone suits the readers.
Report parts
  • Heading
  • Byline
  • 5 Ws
  • Chronological body
  • Outcome
Past tense, third person, passive where suitable.

How to answer Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone questions

Use this to write any of the four forms.

  1. 1Decide the form from the reader and the purpose.
  2. 2Write the heading, date or byline in the right place.
  3. 3Organise the body: feelings and events for a diary, aspects for an article, order of events for a report.
  4. 4Check tense and person: first person for diary, third person and past for report.
  5. 5End with the closing element that the form requires.

Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A hypothetical science-fair day

Suppose your school held a science fair yesterday and you won a prize for a model windmill.

Which form would tell it as private feelings, and which as news for the school magazine?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A diary records the day and your feelings.
  2. A report gives the objective facts of the fair.
  3. An article could explore what the fair taught pupils.

Answer: A diary entry for feelings; a report for the facts; an article for ideas to inform readers.

Memory hook: Diary feels, report states, article informs.

Tricks to remember Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 5 Ws

    Who, What, When, Where, Why. Under 'Who', say who organised and who attended; under 'Why', give the purpose of the event.

    Use it when: Opening paragraph of a report.

  • Diary DEAR

    Date, Events, Attitude (feelings), Reflection.

    Use it when: Diary entry.

Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Which form? · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

An objective past-tense account of a school event for the newsletter is a:
(a) diary (b) report (c) journal (d) poster

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A report is objective and factual.

Answer: (b) report.

Example 2: Diary opening · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Write the opening line and date of a diary entry for 14th December 2026 at 9.30 p.m. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Day and date at the top (1).
  2. A salutation such as Dear Diary (1).

Answer: Monday, 14th December 2026, 9.30 p.m.
Dear Diary,

Example 3: Report paragraph · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Write the opening paragraph (about 40 words) of a report on a Sports Day held in your school on 5th February. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Heading or event named (1).
  2. When and where (1).
  3. Who organised and attended (1).
  4. Past tense and objective (1).

Answer: The Annual Sports Day of Lakeview School was held on 5th February on the school ground. It was organised by the Physical Education department. Around 600 pupils and parents attended, and the Chief Guest declared the event open.

Example 4: Journal entries · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

A student keeps a plant journal. Write two dated entries, one week apart, recording what was observed and learnt. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Date for each entry (1).
  2. Observation in each (1).
  3. What was learnt or wondered (1).
  4. Less emotional than a diary (1).

Answer: 3 March: Planted a bean seed in a cup of soil and watered it. Wondered how long a seed takes to wake up.
10 March: A small green shoot has come up, about 2 cm tall. Learnt that a seed needs water and warmth to begin growing.

Example 5: Which form and why? · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

A pupil is asked for a persuasive piece against plastic bags for the school magazine but writes it as a diary entry. Explain what is wrong and what should change. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The form is wrong for the purpose (1).
  2. A magazine piece needs a title and byline (1).
  3. It needs a hook, body paragraphs and a call to action (1).
  4. It should address readers and not only yourself (1).

Answer: A diary is a private record of feelings, not a piece for readers. The pupil should write an article with a catchy title, a byline, a hook introduction, body paragraphs on causes and alternatives, and a conclusion with a call to action.

Where students lose marks in Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Using opinions in a report

    A report is objective.

    Wrong working

    It was the best fair ever.

    Right working

    The fair drew 500 visitors, as reported by the organisers.

    Do this: Quote someone instead.

    Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks

  • Mistake: No byline in an article

    An article has title and byline.

    Wrong working

    Title only.

    Right working

    Title and by Riya Sen, Class VIII-A.

    Do this: Include a byline.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Wrong tense in a report

    Reports use the past tense.

    Wrong working

    The Principal opens the fair.

    Right working

    The Principal opened the fair.

    Do this: Past tense throughout.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

Exam tips

  • Choose the form from the reader and the purpose.
  • Always include the 5 Ws in the first paragraph of a report.
  • Keep a diary personal and a report objective.
  • Give a title and byline for an article.

Practice questions on Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    A byline gives:
    (a) the date (b) the writer's name (c) the heading (d) the conclusion

    Hint

    by Riya Sen, Class VIII-A.

    Answer

    (b) the writer's name.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    State two differences between a diary and a journal. (2 marks)

    Hint

    Purpose and tone.

    Answer

    A diary records a day and personal feelings; a journal records learning or observations over time. A diary is personal and emotional; a journal is more focused and less emotional.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Rewrite in report style: "We had the best time at the fair! The principal opened it." (3 marks)

    Hint

    Objective, past tense, passive.

    Answer

    The fair was opened by the Principal. (No personal opinion is used.)

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Write an article introduction (about 50 words) with a hook for the title "Screens Off, Minds On". (4 marks)

    Hint

    Question or fact.

    Answer

    Screens Off, Minds On
    by Aman Gill, Class VIII-B
    How many hours did you spend on a screen yesterday? If the answer surprises you, you are not alone. This article looks at how switching off for an hour can sharpen the mind and bring back the joy of play.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Explain how a student should use technology for research for an article on millets without plagiarising. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Search, trust, cross-check, own words.

    Answer

    Search with specific key words such as "benefits of millets for children". Prefer reliable sources like government sites and encyclopaedias, and cross-check each fact in two sources. Note the source and date, and write in your own words, because copying is plagiarism.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who reads a diary?Show answer

    The writer only.

  2. 2.What is the tense of a report?Show answer

    Past.

  3. 3.What are the 5 Ws?Show answer

    Who, What, When, Where, Why.

  4. 4.What does a journal record?Show answer

    Learning or observations over time.

  5. 5.What is plagiarism?Show answer

    Copying others' words as your own.

  6. 6.What ends a report?Show answer

    The outcome or response.

Diary, Journal, Article and Report: Formats and Tone: frequently asked questions

Can I use I in a report?

Avoid it; use the third person and quote others.

Is "Dear Diary" compulsory?

No, it is optional.

How long should these be?

Your school decides; keep to the word limit set.