Shakespeare‘s Twelfth Night Diary Entry Assignment

Twelfth Night
Character Diary Entry Guidelines
• A diary entry should be in first person from your selected character’s point of view.
• The entry should include a summary (retold by the character) of what happened in the particular scene.
• In addition to the summary. There needs to be a form of a personal statement from the character’s imagined point of view.
• Language for diaries is informal and personal, and very honest.
• A diary entry helps you as a reader CONNECT with a character. It also proves your understanding of what a character goes through; thoughts, actions, and emotions. The character must express their inner feelings about what’s happening to them.
• This entry will be at least 1 page in length, typed, double-spaced, 12pt. size, Times New Roman font.
A diary entry is very similar to a personal letter. You write about things that happened (to you), about your problems, about your feelings, hopes and plans for the future.
Characters you can choose from Twelfth Night that you would like to become.
• Orsino
• Olivia
• Viola
• Sebastian
• Malvolio
• Sir Toby
• Sir Andrew
• Feste
• Maria
Structural features:
• Begins with a date i.e. ‘25thNov’ or just ‘Wednesday’.
o Usually has an address to the diary e.g ‘dear diary’ but you don’t have to do this.
• Intro: first sentence is usually a general sentence about the day. i.e. ‘Today was wonderful.’
Or
• A general sentence about how you feel at the time of writing. i.e. ‘I’m freaking out right now.’
• Body: usually includes a description of what happened, how you felt about it and what your plans are for the future (even if it’s just the next day)
• Conclusion: a final comment on how you’re feeling now that you’ve written it all down and a closing comment i.e. ‘I’m going to bed – test tomorrow.’
• Often ends with another address to the diary i.e. ‘bye for now’ etc. You don’t have to do this.
Language features:
• Informal language i.e. ‘I’m like soo over him’.
• Short sentences i.e. ‘I’m soooo tired!’
• Informal/incomplete grammar i.e. ‘I’m gonna go to bed now.’
• Informal punctuation i.e. use of … , –
• Expressive use of punctuation i.e. !! or symbols like J
• Questions i.e. ‘What can I do"!!’ (addressed to the diary)
• Use of past tense to retell events from the day or week.

Character Diary Requirements & Rubric

Write at least five substantial journal entries from the perspective of your chosen character in the play. At the end of each entry, state the Act and scene after which your entry would be written (i.e. Act II, scene iii).

Put yourself in the character’s shoes, and consider the following questions to get you going:
- What are you most afraid of or worried about? What is making you anxious? Describe the person, object, or event that bothers you.
- Who has impressed, annoyed, or pleased you most so far? What other character has had the strongest effect on you? Describe the interaction you’ve had, and why you feel the way you do.
- What do you want to accomplish in your life? What big goals have you set for yourself, and why? What obstacles stand in your way?
- If you could relive a moment, what moment would you like to relive, and why? What event do you think about? Why is it such a strong memory for you? Do you have any regrets about this moment?
- What lesson(s) have you learned? What have the events that you’ve been through taught you? How have you changed?
- Choose a value or ideal that is important to you—honesty, courage, faithfulness, and so forth. Define your value, and explore how it relates to your life. Why is this ideal important to you?


4
3
2
1
Format
Each entry is neatly structured with date, intro, body and conclusion. Also, the relevant Act and scene
Most entry is neatly structured with date, intro, body and conclusion. Also, the relevant Act and scene
Entries may be missing the date, intro, body and/or conclusion. And/or the relevant Act and scene
Not structured with date, intro, body and conclusion. Does not have relevant Act and scene
Content
Entries demonstrate deep insight into characters’ feelings and values along with knowledge of the plot’s key events and themes
Entries demonstrate clear understanding of characters’ feelings along with knowledge of the plot’s key events
Entries demonstrate a basic understanding of characters’ feelings along with knowledge of plot events; entries may consist mostly of plot summary
Entries demonstrate confusion about characters feelings and plot
Length
Journal includes more than five entries; entries are 1-page long & MLA format
Journal includes five entries; entries are a little shorter than 1-page long & MLA format
Journal includes five entries; entries are a ½ - page long & lacking MLA format
Fewer than five entries; entries are less than ½ - page long & lacking MLA format
Conventions
Entries are written in first person perspective and contain few errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Entries are written in first person perspective and contain occasional errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Entries are sometimes written in first person perspective and contain several errs in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Entries are not consistently written in first person perspective and/or contain several errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that interfere with meaning


Character Diary Entry Example

20 February 2018
Entry #1: Act I, scene iv
Dear Diary,
​​How can he ask this of me? How do I woo another when I want him all for myself?! Oh O.! If only you knew who I really am, you’d forget all about Olivia and take me to be your wife.
Yours Truly,
Viola <3’s Orsino