要學好寫英語短文，就必須經常練習寫作。記日記是提高書面表達能力的有效方法之一。日記是每日生活的記載，是一種記事文體。
一、英語日記的格式
英語日記通常由兩部分組成，即書端和正文。書端指寫日記的日期、星期和天氣。英語日記的書端頂格寫在正文上邊的左邊。先寫星期，再寫日期。日期的寫法與書信的相同。天氣可寫在正文的右上方或寫在日期之後。通常用形容詞如Fine,
Cloudy, Rainy, Windy, Foggy等。
二、英語日記的時態
由於日記記載的事情通常已經發生過，謂語動詞多用一般過去時態。
三、寫日記正文時應注意的問題
1. 考試中所給的話題作文通常把詞數控制在100-120個單詞。
2.主題要突出。整篇日記要圍繞一個主題來展開。切忌面面俱到，記流水帳。因此，要精心選擇內容，記下最有意義的、感受最深的`內容。
3.語言表達要貼切。寫日記時，遣詞造句要符合語法和英語習慣表達。切忌漢語句式表達。如果我們不能用已學的語言知識來表達某種意思，最好換另一種同義的表達法。
4. 注意結構的完整性。在結尾要有結束語，用自己的感想或體會對前面的內容作總結。
【範文】：
Wednesday July 20, 2014 Fine
I had an unforgettable trip to Cambridge today.
The weather was fine today. My classmates and I went on a guided trip to Cambridge by coach. It took us about three hours to get there.
As soon as we got there, we were divided into several groups, with a professional guide to show us around. First, we were shown the King’s College, whose chapel (禮拜堂) impressed me most. It is the most spectacular (壯觀的) building that I have ever seen. Then we visited other places such as Trinity College, and Fitzwilliam Museum. In the end, we walked along the Cambridge river and enjoyed the beautiful view.
Although tired, I spent the most exciting day in my life. I hope one day I can study in Cambridge University — my dream college.