LONG WRITING SKILL
ARTICLE WRITING
WORD LIMIT: 120- 150 WORDS MARKS: 5M
MARKS BREAK UP:
FORMAT-1M CONTENT-2M EXPRESSION -2M
SAMPLE-1
As Harsh/ Harshita Mathur, write an article on the deadly effects of air pollution,
suggesting suitable ways to tackle the issue.
RISING LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION
By: Harsh Mathur
Pollution in the air, pollution everywhere
Can you find a solution lurking anywhere?
Pollution is one of the most burning issues faced by the country in the recent years. According to
Reuters, nearly 40,000 people succumb to air pollution every year in major cities of India. Even
the rural areas aren’t spared – more than 20, 000 people die of lung ailments and other breathing
problems every year. (TOPIC INTRODUCTION WITH SUPPORTING STATISTICS)
Increased vehicular traffic, haphazard urban settlements due to population explosion, growth of
industries and poor infrastructural facilities lead to land, air, noise and vehicular pollution. This
has been on a steady rise at an alarming pace in the past one decade. (CAUSE)
High-level emissions of smoke and poisonous gases cause global warming and depletion of the
ozone layer, affecting the weather patterns. Summer days are warmer and prolonged now and
winter is reduced in duration as well as intensity. Not just this, poisonous particulate matter in
the air leads to respiratory and eye-related problems. (EFFECT)
Urgent steps need to be taken such as ban on the plying of very old vehicles, enforcing pooling
system in private cars and adopting a zero waste system. Thus, it is imperative that pollution
control norms are implemented and defaulters booked, or else we will be digging our own
grave.(SUGGESTIONS)
FORMAT AND PARA-WISE CONTENT
Title (ALWAYS a phrase, never a single word- In CAPITAL LETTERS/Capitalized format)
By- line: Complete name of the writer
(The key word for the title should be picked from the first paragraph and should suggest
the main theme of the article)
Paragraph 1-A quote relevant to the issue (if possible) , introduce the issue, mention
survey reports/ statistics to support your point.(2 sentences)-WHAT
Paragraph 2 – Why is the issue there? Reasons (2-3 sentences)
Paragraph 3 – Consequences of the problem (2-3 sentences)
Paragraph 4 – Suggestions for dealing with the problem (2- 3 sentences)
Leave a line between paragrapghs
In certain topics, paragraph 2 and 3 may be clubbed into one paragraph, depending upon
the content and the topic.
SAMPLE-2
Online shopping is the trend of the day. It has its own advantages as well as drawbacks.
Write an article elaborating on the topic in about 150 words.
Online Portals- A Shoppers’ Paradise
By: Jotsna Patnaik
E Commerce has given shopping a new dimension altogether. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion
people across the globe avail the services of online shopping sites that sell everything under the
sun- books, gadgets, household appliances, grocery or garments for all occasions.
(WHAT+STATISTICS)
Virtual stores allow people to indulge in hassle free shopping from the comfort of their homes,
without the pressure of sales persons, or the adversities of the weather. The wide variety of
options, attractive deals and affordable prices have made online shopping an enjoyable
experience for the buyers.(ADVANTAGES)
Of course, online shopping comes with its own set of problems. There is an increased risk of
identity theft, money fraud and vendor fraud. Moreover, too many sites selling too many items
leaves the buyer spoilt for choices and may burn a hole in his pocket, if not
careful.(DISADVANTAGES)
Therefore, it is for us to decide how to make judicious use of the limitless shopping options
offered by online sites. Exercising self control and restricting oneself to only what one wants to
buy at the moment will be helpful. How to shop and how much to shop –the decision should lie
in the shopper’s hand.(SUGGESTIONS)
Paragraph-1 –What
Paragraph -2 Advantages
Paragraph -3 Disadvantages
Paragraph -4 How to strike a balance and make the best out of the situation.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT ARTICLE WRITING:
Write in 3-4 paragraphs
Each paragraph should deal with a specific aspect of the topic in a logical sequence.
Do not elaborate on one point/paragraph too long and ignore the other aspects of a topic.
Adhere to the word limit.
Remember, what you write, the sequence of the points (fluency), the accuracy of
language you use, the format that you follow and the word limit- everything is equally
important.
Each paragraph should have equal weightage.
The Article should be an expression of your opinion on a specific topic and it should be
complemented with facts and statistics.
Language should be simple and easy to understand, but thoughts conveyed should be
strong and relevant.
Write in a formal language, preferably in 3rd person. Focus should be on the topic and not
the writer.
Do not use interactive style or address the readers, like you do in a speech.
Use simple language, good words, phrases and a couple of idiomatic expressions.
You can start with a quote/couplet, well known or created by yourself.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VALUE POINTS:
1.As Dhruv Madaan, write an article on the increasing cases of substance abuse among the
youth of the country. Suggest suitable actions that need to be taken.
Para 1-What ?- addiction to alcohol, cigar, drugs-burning issue- nearly 3 crores addicted
to drugs
Para 2-Why?- urban life style- peer influence- influence of movies- escape route from
stress- somewhat easy availability despite ban
