Welcome to the final lesson in our module on Notice Writing. Having covered the CBSE format, common pitfalls, and the analysis of a board-exam model answer, you are now ready to put everything into practice.
The goal of this session is to apply your consolidated knowledge by writing a complete notice for a given scenario. This exercise is designed to mimic the exam environment, helping you to confidently tackle the notice writing question by correctly applying the format and content requirements within the strict 50-word limit.
Your Final Checklist for a Perfect Notice
Before you begin writing, let's do a final, quick review of all the essential components. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. The image below provides an excellent summary of the format, key characteristics, and marking scheme.
To be absolutely clear on the evaluation criteria, here is the official CBSE marks breakup for the 4-mark notice writing question.
Notice Writing Marks Weightage
This section from SuccessCDS provides the official CBSE marking scheme for notice writing.
Focus on the table under the heading "Notice Writing Class 12 – Marks Breakup". This shows you that one mark is for the format, two are for the content, and one is for accuracy. This is what the examiner will use to grade your work.
Your notice must satisfy all three criteria to score full marks: a perfect format, complete content, and flawless expression.
Practice Task: Write Your Own Notice
Now it's your turn. Read the following question, which has appeared in a previous Delhi board exam. Take your time to analyse it, plan your content, and then draft the notice.
Question:
You are the head boy/girl of your school. Write a notice in not more than 50 words informing students about a cleanliness drive on the school premises next Saturday. (Delhi 2017)
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Writing:
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Deconstruct the Question: First, identify the key pieces of information given:
- Your Designation: Head Boy/Girl.
- Issuing Authority: Your School (the name is not given, so you must invent one, e.g., "ABC Public School, Delhi").
- Purpose of Notice: To inform students about a cleanliness drive.
- Target Audience: All students.
- Key Details: The event is next Saturday. You will need to invent other details like date and time.
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Plan the Content (The 5 Ws): Before you write, quickly map out the answers to these questions:
- What? A cleanliness drive.
- When? Next Saturday (Invent a specific date and time, e.g., "21st October, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.").
- Where? School premises.
- Who? For all students.
- Whom to Contact / Call to Action: This is a general announcement, so a strong concluding line encouraging participation is sufficient (e.g., "All students are requested to participate enthusiastically.").
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Draft the Notice:
- Draw the box after you finish writing to ensure it fits perfectly.
- Start with the Issuing Authority and 'NOTICE' in the centre.
- Place the date on the left.
- Write a clear, concise heading.
- Use the "fixed lines" we've discussed (e.g., "This is to inform all students...") to begin the body.
- Integrate your planned content (the 5 Ws) factually and formally.
- Stay strictly within the 50-word limit for the body.
- End with your name and designation.
Now, take about 15 minutes to write your notice on a piece of paper or in a document.
Self-Evaluation: Compare Your Draft
Once you have completed your draft, compare it with the model answer below. Evaluate your work based on the marking criteria:
- Format (1 mark): Did you include the box, issuing authority, 'NOTICE', date, heading, and signatory details in the correct places?
- Content (2 marks): Does your notice clearly state what the event is, when and where it will happen, and who it is for?
- Expression (1 mark): Is your notice grammatically correct, with no spelling errors, and written in a formal tone?
Here is a solved example for the question you just attempted.
Solved Sample Notice Writing Questions
This resource provides solved examples from past CBSE papers. We will look at the answer for the "Cleanliness Drive" question.
Find Question 2 in the list of solved examples. Read the question again and then carefully study the provided model answer. Check if your notice included all the same elements and information.
Model Answer Analysis:
The model answer for the cleanliness drive is effective because it is brief and contains all necessary information. It clearly states the event, date, time, and purpose ("keeping our school environment clean and hygienic"). The call to action ("Let's come together for this noble cause") is a strong, motivating closing statement. Notice how it adheres perfectly to the format and word count.
If your draft missed any elements, take a moment to correct it. This process of drafting and self-correcting is the most effective way to master the format.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this module on Notice Writing! You have systematically learned and practised every aspect of this important writing skill, from understanding the format to drafting your own notice for a board-level question. The key to success is to remain calm, follow the structure, and ensure all essential information is included clearly and concisely.
Key Takeaways:
- Always begin by deconstructing the question to identify your role, audience, and the notice's purpose.
- Strictly follow the CBSE format: Box, Issuing Authority, 'NOTICE', Date, Heading, Body, and Signatory.
- Build the body of your notice around the 5 Ws: What, When, Where, Who, and Whom to contact.
- Write in a formal, third-person tone and adhere to the 50-word limit.
In our next lesson, we will move on to the second type of short composition in your syllabus: Invitations and Replies. We will start by exploring the format of formal invitations, distinguishing between the card style used for events and the letter style used for inviting specific individuals.