Writing Skills
The Writing Skills domain tests your ability to produce short functional texts and longer compositions in a set format. The paper usually includes a notice, an advertisement, a formal or informal letter, a report, a paragraph or essay, and sometimes a story or dialogue. Marks are split between content and format, so a well-written piece in the wrong shape still loses marks.
Format rules that carry marks
- Notice: draw a box, include the date, a heading, a body with the 5 Ws (what, when, where, who, why), and a signature with designation. Keep to about 50 words.
- Formal letter: sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject line, salutation, three short paragraphs (purpose, detail, action), and closing. Use Yours faithfully with Dear Sir or Madam.
- Report: headline, byline (By ...), dateline (place, date), past tense, third person, and a concluding comment.
- Paragraph: topic sentence, two or three supporting sentences with examples, and a clincher. Do not switch tense.
Worked example
Write a notice for a lost library book. Draft: LOST BOOK - A copy of Invitation to English was left in the reading room on 12 August. The finder may return it to the undersigned. - R. Patra, Librarian. Check: box present, heading, date, 5 Ws covered, signature present. Content is complete and the format is correct.
Traps
- Writing a letter without a subject line.
- Mixing Yours sincerely with Dear Sir.
- Exceeding the word limit and losing format marks.
- Using a report format for a notice, or the reverse.