Writing
Writing assesses whether you can produce a complete, audience-appropriate text within a word limit. Tasks usually include a short notice or message, a formal or informal letter, and a longer article, report, or paragraph. Examiners reward content coverage, organisation, expression, and accuracy.
Formats at a glance
- Notice: the word NOTICE, the date, a clear heading, a body answering who/what/when/where, and the writer's name and designation.
- Formal letter: sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject line, salutation, three short paragraphs, and "Yours faithfully" with the full name.
- Article: title, byline, opening hook, developed body, and a conclusion that returns to the title.
- Report: title, byline, introduction stating what/when/where, factual body, and a recommendation.
Worked example
Task: As head girl, write a notice about an inter-house debate. Model: NOTICE / 12 July 20XX / Inter-House Debate / The Literary Club will hold an inter-house debate on 25 July at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium. The motion is "Homework should be abolished". Students of Classes IX to XII may register with their class teachers by 20 July. / Ananya Sharma, Head Girl. Reasoning: the notice names the event, date, time, venue, motion, eligible classes, and deadline, then signs off. Every question a reader would ask is answered in about fifty words.
Traps that cost marks
- Omitting the date, heading, or signature in a notice.
- Mixing registers, such as slang in a formal letter or contractions in a report.
- Copying the question instead of composing content, which wastes the word limit.
- Writing one unbroken block without paragraphs.
- Pairing "Yours faithfully" with a named salutation such as "Dear Mr Rao".