Formats of Directed Writing

FORMAT OF INFORMAL LETTER
Dear Friend,
Please read the question properly to understand the scenario, bullet points and additional
instructions. This understanding helps you get better marks.
Please come to the point right away. Write complete sentences and do not write sentence
fragments like Hope, you are fine.
Elaborate all the points properly. There is no need to stretch points if you cant write much on
Try to write a separate paragraph for each of the bullet points; however, if there are a couple of
points about which not much can be written, you may write both the points together.
Please avoid slang and colloquial expressions.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
PRINT NAME
5th May, 2017
FORMAT OF FORMAL LETTER
Dear Sir,
In this type of letter you must state the purpose of writing the letter first and then elaborate the
bullet points.
This is supposed to be a shorter composition than the informal letter because of its formal nature
and language.
Please avoid slang and colloquial expressions.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
PRINT NAME
5th May, 2017
REPORT WRITING
To: The Principal

From: (Name)
Date: 5th May, 2017
Subject: Accident in the Science Lab
Write a summary of the incident. For example

Last Saturday, three students were injured while conducting an experiment in the Chemistry lab.
An explosion took place which caused serious facial injuries. The students were sent to hospital
after being given first aid by the school nurse.
Most students tend to write a very long summary which is unnecessary and is of ne benefit to
them.
You should elaborate the bullet points paying attention to precise details like time day, people.
There should be no ambiguity
The language and tone of the report is also formal.
(Signature)
Alternatively:
To: The Principal
Subject: Accident in the Science Lab
BODY OF THE REPORT
(Signature)
From: (Print Name)
Date: 5th May, 2017
If the report is not addressed to anyone, you should write an appropriate heading on the top line
and in the middle. For Example:
Report on Incident in the Science Lab

Account Writing
Unlike the report, the account has no summary. You can give your opinions and express feelings.
The account has a heading which is written on the top line and in the middle
Explosion in the Chemistry Lab
Proper elaboration of points is equally essential.

Please avoid writing about fantastical situation like ghost stories or murders and robberies.
An Account is mostly facts described preferably in a chronological order and either you are part
of the account or a witness to an incident. Although you may add your opinion and comment on
the situation to rationalize your point of view but refrain from irrelevant or detailed descriptions
with flowery language.
Magazine Articles
An interesting /attention grabbing heading (usually written in the middle)
e.g. School Life after High School
or Teen Depression and Anxiety: The False Perception
or When Bullying Turns Deadly: Can It Be Stopped?
Magazine Articles are written to inform and are usually persuasive. The purpose is mostly to
bring your intended audience to agree with your point of view by providing not only facts but
valid arguments and examples so that the reader is fully convinced by the end. At times,
magazine articles might only be intended to share some experiences with larger audience and
purely giving your personal point of view with the idea that the reader would enjoy reading your
experience and views. A magazine article is almost similar in structure to a persuasive essay,
argumentative essay and a speech.
The article must have an introductory paragraph that informs the reader of the purpose and the
content that the particular composition is about. Also, a concluding paragraph to wrap up the
writers point of view.
The first paragraph must be an attention grabber with either an astounding question or number of
questions (which are mostly answered later on in the article) or a few facts are shared to establish
your point of view.
Speech
A speech is for general audience. Depending on the scenario the speech may be formal or
informal. However, you must not forget that you are still required to write Standard English. Any
attempt at using slang or colloquial expressions may cost you marks.
Start with the usual polite remarks (ladies and gentlemen), then thank for the opportunity to
discuss the issue and end with thanking the audience again.
NOTE
Please keep in mind the that the examiner is checking you for your reading skills; therefore, you
must make sure that you read carefully and understand what the question demands of you. If you
want to get good marks, make sure you write the composition as per the instructions and the
Format
Thank the person/group/organization for giving you the opportunity to speak.

State the purpose of your speech (you can refer to the situation given in the introductory
paragraph)
Elaborate content points
Thank the audience for their time.
In case you have invited the audience then

Thank the audience for accepting your invitation.
Explain why they had to be/ or have been invited
Elaborate the content points
Ask for their cooperation, or ask them to take some action
Thank them again
OR
Refer to the situation first which prompted you to invite your guests
Thank them for taking time out.
Explain your purpose/Elaborate the content points.
Urge for action
Thank them again
Place Inverted Commas at the beginning and end of your speech.
LEAFLET
Although there has not been a question on a leaflet for the last two decades, I keep receiving
questions about it. I have written below what I know about it
The leaflet is supposed to be a formal informative piece of writing. So far in O Level this
question has been asked only once and it required the students to give information to the visitors
about an open day at a school. The leaflet may be written for various purposes for example
passing on information to a particular gr advertising a product, creating awareness about a
problem and the available solutions or even propagating an idea.
The tone and register of a leaflet depends on the purpose that a leaflet wants to achieve. If it is
written to pass on information for example the program of a ceremony, the tone is formal with
focus on the information only; there is no beating about the bush. This results in the leaflet
becoming quite short - approximately 200 - 220 words. In case something is being advertised,
the tone still remains formal but the focus in language shifts to persuasive and emotive language.
The author tries to challenge perceptions and beliefs, and urges the audience to do a particular
thing. Same is the case when a particular belief is being propagated. You can refer to leaflets that
the political parties use.
The format requires a brief introductory paragraph which usually refers to the issue at hand and
aims at catching the readers' interest. Using headings helps the readers get a clear picture of what
the leaflet is about, so the students can use a new heading for every bullet/content point.
Account
Points to remember about account writing:
a) Start with a brief heading. For example, Unexpected Victory. Becoming a champion. If during
an exam situation you cannot think of a heading, just right: An Account.
b) Focus on the facts, and other instructions given in the question.
c) Depending on the question, you may write your opinions, express your feelings, and even
describe things, but keeping the word limit in mind, please see to it that you dont get carried
away, and lose focus of what the question demands of you.
Explicit questions:
You may copy the relevant part from the passage. The answer may be a word, a phrase or a
complete sentence.
Avoid writing unnecessary material because all irrelevant information is adjudged as 'neutral',
wrong answer' or 'access denies'.
Questions with the word 'explain' mean that you have to write the answer in your own words.
YOU MUST NOT LIFT FROM THE PASSAGE.
Questions with the statement 'in your own words' require you to lift the relevant part from the
passage and replace two difficult word with synonyms, short phrases or expressions. If you are
not sure which words need to be changed, then change all the words.
Example.
The police did not divulge the name of his accomplice.
Replace divulge and accomplice.
The police did not disclose the name of his partner in crime.

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FORMAT OF INFORMAL LETTER

Please avoid slang and colloquial expressions.

5th May, 2017

FORMAT OF FORMAL LETTER

Please avoid slang and colloquial expressions.

To: The Principal

Subject: Accident in the Science Lab

Write a summary of the incident. For example

The language and tone of the report is also formal.

To: The Principal

Subject: Accident in the Science Lab

BODY OF THE REPORT

From: (Print Name)

Date: 5th May, 2017

Report on Incident in the Science Lab

Explosion in the Chemistry Lab

Proper elaboration of points is equally essential.

An interesting /attention grabbing heading (usually written in the middle)

e.g. School Life after High School

or Teen Depression and Anxiety: The False Perception

or When Bullying Turns Deadly: Can It Be Stopped?

Thank the person/group/organization for giving you the opportunity to speak.

In case you have invited the audience then

Points to remember about account writing:

b) Focus on the facts, and other instructions given in the question.

The police did not divulge the name of his accomplice.

Replace divulge and accomplice.

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