ZION AND ALWIN GROUP OF SCHOOLS

ENGLISH CORE XII (301)

ARTICLE WRITING SAMPLES AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Points to Remember:
1. Present simple tense and present perfect tense – to be used.
2. Formal language.
3. No first person point of view.
4. Give a title that catches the attention of the reader.
5. Begin with a striking opening sentence which addresses the readers and gets them interested in the
topic.
6. Present a strong argument for your ideas supporting it with evidence or elaboration.
Use linking devices (‘however’, ‘therefore’, ‘although’, ‘even though’, ‘in order to’) to make the composition
appear a whole.
7. Introduce a new point at the beginning of each paragraph that follows to strengthen your ideas.
8. Develop your ideas as much as you can to make them interesting and substantial.
Conclude with your strongest point.
9. Use passive voice, humour, emotive language, rhetorical questions to provide a specific effect. Split-
up of marks The format of an article consists of the following parts:
Marking scheme – 5 marks – 1 Format, 2 Content and 2 grammatical accuracy, expression.
Format:
Heading,
By line, and
Body
HEADING– The heading should be catchy and in not more than 5-6 words. You can go as creative as you
want with this one just make sure you do not devote too much time on it in the exam.
BY LINE– It refers to the name of the person writing the article. It is generally given in the question. If not
given, then do not write your personal details.
(NOTE- Don’t mention any of your personal details while attempting the answers in the exam.)
BODY– It is the main part of your writing piece. It generally consists of 3-4 paragraphs.
PARAGRAPH 1: It is always prescribed that you begin with a short introduction of the topic; it’s meaning to
be precise. Briefly tell what the article is about giving some quotations or startling facts to arouse the interest
of the readers.
PARAGRAPH 2 or PARAGRAPH 2&3: Now this part can be written in either one or two paragraphs. You
are required to do a complete analysis of the subject matter in question. It may include-
TYPES – In how many forms does the problem exist? You are required to mention the various possible types
(if it exists).
CURRENT SCENARIO – Then you need to explain the current situation, the problems (if any) and whether
after any corrective actions, betterment in the situation has been observed or not.
It may include advantages/ disadvantages depending upon the topic in question.
CAUSE AND EFFECT RELATIONSHIP– Develop the cause and effect relationship by supporting it with
facts or data. You may also write the consequences.
Any other relevant and related information.
PARAGRAPH 3 or PARAGRAPH 4: The conclusion. It is the concluding paragraph. It is important to
conclude what you’ve started. Never leave an article open-ended. Now, it is to be remembered that wherever
you elaborate a problem, you always have to mention the steps being taken to improvise the situation and
suggest a few solutions as well. Predictions and personal problems may be included. This paragraph needs to
be short and precise. Here also, you could add some glitter to your art piece with some quotes.
 SAMPLE 1

The present-day youth are greatly stressed due to cut-throat competition and consumerist culture. Write an
article in 150-200 words on the causes of the stress on the modem generation suggesting suitable solutions.

Causes of Stress on the Modern Generation

- By the Author
The main cause of stress on the modern generation is the cut-throat competition and consumerist culture
prevalent in our society. This always puts them under pressure of efficiency and productivity. The modern
environment is highly competitive and calls for relentless effort on the part of each youngster. To achieve the
goals they have to devote all their time and capacity, without rest. So they have no time to care even for their
own selves. They have no time for relaxing or to pursue something of their own interest sounds like a luxury
to them. The effects of this stress on the youth also visible in their physical being whereby they have increased
pulses and a lot of tension in their muscles.

With increased professionalism and specialisation there seems no practical and suitable solution for this stress
due to the competition. In this age of consumerism, it is not surprising that the youth of today are also
constantly vying to outdo each other in acquiring material things. But now it is high time each one of us sat
back in quiet introspection to contemplate where we are actually heading in this high-speed pace. Our health
and well-being will have to be our primary concern for, as they say, “a healthy mind lies in a healthy body”.
Let us stop living like robots. We are humans and have to behave likewise and not like machines which are
our own creation.
SAMPLE 2
You are Abhishek / Anubha studying in Plato Public School, New Delhi. While commuting for your school
every day you find many of your school boys and girls taking free lift from the passing cars, which you don’t
like. Write an article in about 200 words on ‘The Evils of Hitch-hiking for publication in your school magazine

The Evils of Hitch-Hiking

(By Anubha)
Hitch-hiking may seem to be a thrilling adventure at first, but the habit of taking free lifts from the passing
cars is fraught with dangerous consequences. In their zeal to enjoy the fun of a free ride the young school boys
and girls do not know who the persons offering them lift are. Every day we read so many cases of kidnapping,
molestation, sexual abuse, rape and murder.
Gone are the days when face used to be an index of the mind. Now one may smile and smile and yet be a
villain. You can never be sure of the intentions of these Samaritans who may prove ugly customers and ruin
young promising careers forever. I think this practice of seeking free lift should be discouraged by all the
elders and well-wishers by educating the youth about the moral, physical and ethical aspects.
Many boys and young girls have been duped and ill-treated by anti-social elements by offering them free lifts,
outings and entertainments. Although most of the victims bear the trauma silently, some of them are bold
enough to inform the police and local authorities. This acts as an eye-opener to others and also helps the
authorities to curb crimes by nabbing the anti-social elements.
SAMPLE 3
Compulsory value-based education is the only remedy for inculcating values among the future citizens of
the country. This will also help in the prevention of crime in the country. Write an article in 150-200 words
on the need of compulsory value-based education.
Value-Based Education
By the Author
Value-based education is an educational philosophy, an approach to teaching and learning that underpins away
a school organises itself develops relationships and promotes positive human values. Schools that adopt such
an approach report that there is a qualitative improvement in pupils’ attitude and behaviour. The purpose of
value-based education is to help the school community think about and reflect upon positive universal values
and practical implications of expressing them in relation to themselves and the community as a whole.
Value-based education also supports schools in promoting an inclusive school ethos and the methods of
working raise achievements and help pupils to raise their self-esteem and take responsibility for their own
behaviour and learning. It also enables students to examine the kind of life that is worth living and to consider
what kind of life they want for themselves. At the core of value-based education lies an agreed set of principles,
deeply held convictions that underpin all aspects of school life and work. The process is holistic and
developmental, demanding a greater deal from the school’s community. Value-based education is thus a
philosophy for developing and supporting schools of excellence.
SAMPLE 4
India is standing at the threshold of joining the developed nations but that is not possible till we achieve
complete literacy in the country. The contribution of students may be very significant in achieving our goals.
Write an article in 150-200 words on ‘The Role of the Students in Removing Illiteracy’.

The Role of Students in

Removing Illiteracy
- By the Author
Illiteracy is still a major blot on India, after more than sixty years of its achieving independence. To an extent
it exemplifies India’s failure to reach out to its masses. The removal of illiteracy has to be tackled on a priority
basis and students can play an important role in achieving this goal. Since they are in the process of receiving
education themselves they are most appropriate for also putting forth their services to achieve the goal of
educating the illiterate masses. Students should be encouraged to carry the lamp of knowledge by organizing
events such as, ‘Each One, Teach One’.

If every student resolves to teach two illiterate persons in a year during his vacations, it will in the long run
help to eradicate illiteracy. The government should also render full support to students in terms of
infrastructure in their contribution to the Indian Literacy Campaign. Students can also play a vital role in the
programme of Adult Literacy. If all our students get together and try to work towards achieving literacy among
the masses, then the day is not far when India too will join the league of countries that have attained hundred
percent literacy.

SAMPLE 5
Due to the globalization of food industry and fast food culture, traditional healthy diets are increasingly
being replaced by unhealthy junk food containing artificial additives and preservative chemicals. Write an
article in 150-200 words for a national daily on the need for inculcating healthy dietary habits.

Need To Inculcate
Healthy Dietary Habits
By the Author
Due to globalisation and the advent of fast food culture, traditional healthy diets have been replaced by
unhealthy junk food that has no nutritional value. Children and even adults have become quite fond of this
junk food essentially because it is palatable and caters well to their taste buds. Though junk food does not
come with a statutory warning, it is, actually harmful for our health if we eat it on a regular basis as it contains
artificial additives and chemical preservatives. Hence the need arises for inculcating healthy dietary habits. I
feel childhood is the best stage to inculcate good food habits. Through constant reinforcement and an emphasis
on healthy eating choices at home parents can ensure that their kids continue to eat healthy even when they
are away from home.

Parents should remember that kids learn their eating habits from them so they should lead by example and eat
healthy themselves. This will encourage their kids to follow in their footsteps. Children’s initial refusal to eat
healthy food should not discourage the parents. Repeated exposure to healthy foods like fresh fruits and
vegetables, nuts, milk etc. will ensure that the kids might want to try it out at some point. So, constant
encouragement is needed to make them try out healthy food but do not force anything. Aim to make good
nutrition a way of life than a rule and healthy eating habits will come naturally and not something that is being
enforced.

Questions for practice:

1. Lack of open space and a growing craze for computer and video games have resulted in obesity in the
youth of metropolitan cities. Recently you visited your cousin in a small town where you enjoyed many
outdoor games. You want to share your experience. Write an article about the joys of playing outdoor
games for your school magazine. You are Sashi? Sohan.
2. Write an article in 200 words on the following topic to be published in your school magazine. You are
Mumtaz/Mohd. Azam of XII Std., Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi. Recently you read in the newspaper
an incident in which the children tried to imitate the stunts shown on television and embraced death. You
have decided to write an article on the hazards of television watching for kids and how the parents could
guide them to watch the programmes in an effective way.
3. Write an article in 200 words on ‘The increasing crime rate in today’s society and ways to curb it’.

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH