English Composition Grade 9-12: Complete Guide

English Composition Grade 9-12 Reference and Self-Study Material. A complete guide covering Paragraphs, Essays, Rules, News Stories, Short Stories...

English Composition Grade 9-12: Complete Guide

Publisher: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Curriculum Development Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.

Preface: This book is a reference cum self-learning material for teachers and students. It is fully based on the learning outcomes as provisioned in the grade 9-12 English curriculum. It has been structured in such a way that teachers and students find it as a comprehensive guideline for all writing items included in this level. Moreover, there are self-practice tasks which are helpful for students to practise and develop the intended learning outcomes.

Introduction

Writing skills

Writing skill is all about having adequate knowledge and abilities to express our thoughts and ideas in written words. It is one of the four language skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing. Writing is not only a tool for communication as productive or active skill, but also is serves as a means of learning, thinking and organizing knowledge or ideas. Writing is not merely about presenting the content; there are some aspects that have to be considered such as language use, tenses, and also choice of words.

Writing various forms of composition require respective writing skills which need to be developed and sharpened by constant practice and patience. For example, paragraph wiring requires unity and organization of ideas while essay writing requires effective introduction, well organized body and concluding remarks. Students should improve their writing skills, for which teachers have to motivate them to have good writing skills, by providing instruction in writing processes and rules of writing, such as grammar rules and writing practice.

Writing skills in the curriculum

The major focus of the Grade 9-12 curriculum is on language skills viz. listening, speaking, reading and writing and, thus, it aims to develop communicative competence on the part of students. The students learning English in these grades will develop their linguistic base in English for their studies. As one of the language skills, the Grade 9-10 curriculum has laid a strong emphasis on writing skill. It has stated the students would be able to achieve the writing skill related competencies as: Creatively produce a variety of texts for personal, academic and functional purposes.

Similarly, Grade 11-12 English curriculum, has stated the students would be able to achieve the writing skill related competencies as: Create a variety of writing for different purposes and audiences with appropriate content, style and accuracy. Produce a variety of creative and critical writings.

This competency clarifies that writing is done for an intended purpose and audience, and it includes certain steps to achieve the competency. This competency is further elaborated with learning outcomes.

Grade 9-10Grade 11-12
1. Describe experiences, feelings and events.1. Composed well-formed paragraphs.
2. Write stories, letters, emails, notes, notices, advertisements, recipe and instructions.2. Write different kinds of letters and emails with appropriate format and layout.
3. Write accounts of experiences describing feelings and reactions in simple connected text.3. Write well organised essays on the given topics and the topics of own interest.
4. Write short descriptive, narrative, expository and persuasive essays.4. Write news articles on current issues.
5. Interpret charts, tables and diagrams.5. Write formal reports in an appropriate style and format.
6. Write short biographies.6. Narrate a sequence of events and personal experiences.
7. Write short news articles and news stories.7. Describe a person or event appropriately.
8. Write short reviews of books and films.8. Summarise a text.
9. Write formal messages of condolence, sympathy and congratulation.9. Write a character sketch. 10. Write a book/film review. 11. Transfer information from tables, graphs and charts to prose and vice versa. 12. Prepare communiqué and press release.

Basic considerations in using the book

Who is the book written to? This book is a resource material for teachers; and self-learning and practice material for students studying in Grade 9-12. It is fully based on writing skill included in learning outcomes and scope of sequence for Grade 9-12 English curriculum. It has been structured in such a way that teachers and students find it as comprehensive guideline for all writing items included at this level. Moreover, there are further practice tasks which are helpful for students to practise and develop the intended learning outcomes.

Guidelines for using the book: This book is fully based on writing skills included in Grade 9-12 English curriculum. Therefore, it helps teachers in dealing with these writing items in the classroom systematically. It works as a resource book for teacher. However, it is most important to note that a teacher should follow the process approach for teaching a particular writing item. It means the teacher should teach the process of writing for a certain writing construct, rather than the product. On the other hand, this book is a self-learning material for students. They can study the guidelines or process and do further practice on the tasks included in the book.

Unit 1: Writing Paragraphs

A paragraph is an organized and coherent group of sentences about a topic or a single idea. Its main purpose is to organize sentences into a unit to support an idea, and it may vary in length depending on the gravity of the topic and details of information that is included. To write a better paragraph, a writer should have ideas about its main components.

Sample Paragraph: Important Rules for Acting on Stage For people who would like to act in the theater, there are several important rules to remember. One rule is to make sure you face your audience when you are on stage. If you turn away from the audience; they cannot speak loudly enough. If your audience has difficulty hearing you, they will quickly lose interest. Another important point is to memorize your lines. Rehearse them often-on the train, in the mirror, or while you are waling to class-so that you remember them. Perhaps the most important rule of all is to remain calm on stage if you forget your lines. Don't panic and stop speaking because the audience will notice. Instead, make up something to say until you remember your next line. As long as you continue speaking and appear relaxed, the audience will probably not realize that you have made a mistake. In conclusion, following these rules will help ensure a successful stage performance.

Structure of a paragraph

A paragraph should have a meaningful title that depicts what is given in the entire paragraph. Apart from the title, the following components should be included in a model paragraph.

  • 1. Topic sentence:
    • introduces the topic.
    • contains an idea or opinion about the topic/controlling idea.
    • answers 'why', 'how'.
    • shouldn't be simple fact but an idea/opinion (not too general).
    • usually appears as the first or second sentence.
  • 2. Supporting Sentences:
    • support, demonstrate, prove or develop the controlling idea through explanations, reasons, examples, facts, statistics, clarifications, data; etc.
    • contain major and minor sentences. The major one explains the main idea and the minor ones help the major one develop the controlling idea.
    • maintain unity, coherence and cohesion.
  • 3. Concluding Sentence:
    • restates the idea in the topic sentence to reinforce the main idea.
    • summarizes the idea in the topic sentence.

Some Transition words you can use in writing a paragraph

Antecedent pronoun:Pronoun that refers to the noun used previously from the previous paragraph/sentence.
Additional detail:moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, first, second, third, finally.
Comparison:similarly, here, again, likewise, in comparison, still.
Condition:if, whether, unless, provided that.
Contrast:yet, conversely, whereas, on the other hand, however, nonetheless, although.
Cause and effect:therefore, because, accordingly, thus, consequently, hence, as a result.
Summary:in brief, in short, to sum up.
Repetition:in other words, that is, as I mentioned earlier.
Illustration:for example, in particular, in this case, for instance.
Time sequence:formerly, after, when, while, meanwhile, sometimes.
Intensification:indeed, in fact, in any event.

Guiding Instructions/Information

  • The title of the paragraph should have a word limit up to 10 for a good range to ensure important ideas. The title must be centralized with content words capitalized.
  • A paragraph can have varied numbers of sentences based on the types and gravity of the topic; however, it may have at least five sentences: one-topic sentence, three-major supporting sentences and one- concluding sentence.
  • When we use minor supporting sentences, the number may go higher.
  • The major supporting sentences support the topic sentence and the minor ones support and expand the major ones. No sentences showing new ideas should be included.
  • The sentences should be logically coherent.
Unit 2: Writing Essays

An essay is an analytic or interpretive literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view. Although the purpose of an essay can vary depending on the context, audience and specific goals, it is written to communicate ideas, insights or experiences to the reader in a clear, coherent and engaging manner.

An essay moves from general (introduction) to specific (body paragraphs) and then to general (conclusion).

Five-paragraph essay structure

  • 1. Introductory paragraph:
    • Progresses from general to specific.
    • Introduces the topic in a general way and then moves logically towards the thesis statement.
    • Begins with the opening sentence (hook: can be an anecdote, a quotation, a question) to attract the reader's attention.
    • Gives background information (building sentences) to help readers understand the topic.
    • Includes the thesis statement that gives the topic and controlling idea. [The thesis statement shouldn't show a fact but judgement or opinion; and should guide the entire essay].
  • 2. Body paragraphs:
    • An essay has at least one body paragraph; but three body paragraphs are thought to be common. (can be more depending upon the thesis statement ideas).
    • Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting sentences (major and/or minor) and a concluding sentence.
    • More specific than the introductory paragraph.
  • 3. The concluding paragraph:
    • Briefly lists the main points of support to keep in mind.
    • Summarizes or restates the main idea in the thesis statement.
    • Includes restated thesis, a summary of main ideas and a final thought.
    • More general than body paragraphs.

Types of Essay

1. Descriptive Essay

  • Tells about the physical characteristics of a person, place or thing.
  • Uses words to build pictures or images in the reader's mind. Images come from sense verbs (sights, sounds, feels, smells or tastes).
  • Describes a person, place, object, or even a memory of a special significance.
  • Uses of adjectives and adverbs for vivid description; similes/metaphor/personification/modifiers to make writing more descriptive, prepositions and prepositional phrases for location/positions.

2. Narrative Essay

  • Tells a story by presenting a real-life experience or vents in an orderly, logical sequence.
  • Usually written in the first person helps engage the reader.
  • Histories, biographies and autobiographies follow a narrative form.
  • Either events can be presented in chronological order (moving from first event to last) or can begin with the present and then use one or more flashbacks (shifts into the past).

3. Argumentative Essay

  • Asserts the soundness of debatable position, belief, or conclusion.
  • Takes a stand supported by evidence and urges people to share the writer's perspective and insights.
  • Convinces others to accept the writer's position; to defend his/her position.
  • Makes points, supplies evidence, establishes a logical chain of reasoning, refutes opposing arguments, and accommodates the audience's views.
  • Tries to convince the reader of a point of view on a controversial issue.
  • The thesis statement presents the writer's point of view.
  • The body paragraphs support the topic sentence with reasons, facts and explanations but not with the writer's opinion or viewpoints.
  • The final body paragraph relates with the counter-argument and argues against it in the final body paragraph.

4. Expository Essay

  • An informative piece of writing that presents a balanced analysis and multiple viewpoints of a topic in a neutral way.
  • The writer informs, describes, explains or defines a topic using facts, statistics, and examples.
  • Includes the comparison and contrast essay, pros and cons essay, the cause and effect essay, problem and solution essay and the "how to" or process essay.
Unit 3: Writing Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations are both sets of guidelines that are developed to establish and maintain order within a particular context. Rules are generally more broad and general statements that outline what is expected behavior or conduct. Regulations are more specific and detailed guidelines that explain how to implement a rule. They are often created by government agencies, regulatory bodies or institutions and are enforced through inspections by different mechanisms.

Guiding instructions for writing rules and regulation

  • First, study the question thoroughly and think about what you are allowed to do and not allowed to do at the given place.
  • Write complete sentences that express rules and regulations.
  • Use concrete words and terms, not abstract ones.
  • Place negative words near the beginning of the sentences to tell the reader that something is about to be prohibited or excluded.
  • When writing action sentences sentences that indicate what people should, should not, and may do-be short and direct, even blunt.
  • Place action sentences first, before any explanations, lists, or details.
  • Use the following patterns while expressing rules and regulations:
    • ...is/am/are allowed to...
    • ...is/am/are not allowed to...
    • ...must/mustn't...
    • ...should/shouldn't...
    • ...strictly forbidden/ prohibited...
Unit 4: Writing News Stories and News Articles

A news story is a written or recorded article or interview that informs the public about current events, concerns, or ideas. News stories are typically presented in a straightforward style and without editorial comment. They are written by journalists who gather information from a variety of sources, including interviews, press releases, and public records. News stories are typically published in newspapers, magazines, on television, or online.

Elements of a News Story

  1. Headline: The headline is a short summary of the story that is designed to grab the reader's attention.
  2. Lead paragraph: The lead paragraph of a news story should be a concise and informative summary that answers the most important questions: who, what, when, where, and why (and sometimes how). Ideally, it should also be attention-grabbing, using strong verbs and specific details. Imagine it as a compressed version of the entire story, giving readers just enough information to decide if they want to delve deeper.
  3. Body paragraphs: The body paragraphs provide more detail about the story. A quote from a source can add credibility and interest to a story.
  4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the story and may leave the reader with a question or thought to ponder.

News vs. Feature Stories

A news article is a piece of writing that informs readers about current or recent events. It's a factual report written by journalists to inform you about current events. These events can range from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to political decisions that impact your community. News articles aim to be objective, presenting who, what, when, where, and why of a situation without personal bias. They serve as building blocks, giving you the information you need to form your own opinions and engage in discussions about the world.

Guiding instructions for writing news stories and news report

  • Write a brief and precise newspaper headline. It should be catchy and use just nouns and verbs, not articles. The first letter is generally capitalized.
  • The lead sentence is generally in one sentence and it is the summary of who, what, why, where, when and How. Each and every information related with the event present specifically.
  • It shares the detailed information into a chronological narrative. All the information should be accurate, concise, objective, timely, pertinent and interesting. We can add some information with direct quotation.
  • The reporter concludes with the reaction of the event here but not the opinion.
Unit 5: Developing Short Stories

A short story is a brief work of prose fiction characterized by its concise length, focused plot, and limited characters. It's intended to be read in a single sitting. Unlike novels, short stories don't delve into elaborate narratives or intricate character development. Instead, they prioritize a single, impactful experience for the reader.

Key defining features of short stories:

  • Length: While there's no strict definition, most short stories fall within the 300 to 500 words range.
  • Focus: Short stories usually center on a single, self-contained incident or a series of tightly linked events. This allows for a focused exploration of a specific theme or experience.
  • Characters: The number of characters is determined by the context and content, with the story primarily focusing on a central protagonist and their journey. This allows for deeper character development within the shorter timeframe.
  • Plot: The plot in short stories is typically tightly woven and fast-paced, often culminating in a single climax or turning point. This structure ensures a satisfying reading experience despite the limited length.
  • Setting: The setting in short stories is usually carefully chosen to enhance the story's mood and atmosphere. It serves as a backdrop for the characters' actions and contributes to the overall impact of the narrative.
  • Language: Short stories often utilize concise and simple language. Every word is chosen carefully to create a vivid impression on the reader and convey the intended emotions effectively.

Guiding instructions for developing short stories

  1. First of all, use the skeleton story as a guide, but don't be limited. You can add or change details to suit your own creative ideas. Start by generating ideas for your story. Consider Genre, Theme, Characters, and Setting.
  2. Make sure your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Use Skeleton Stories to plan your plots and ensure they have a logical flow. Include elements: Exposition, Rising action, Climax, Falling action, Resolution.
  3. Add characters with unique traits and personalities to make your story more interesting. Choose an environment that suits your story and add depth to your narrative. Add details and descriptions to each element of the skeleton.
  4. Use the details of your senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell) to create vivid and immersive stories.
  5. Make sure there are conflicts and problems that your characters need to overcome to create suspense and keep the reader engaged.
  6. Connect the unsolved endings and end the story with a satisfying resolution that leaves the reader feeling satisfied.
Unit 6: Composing Dialogues

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. It is a form of communication that involves the exchange of ideas, thoughts, and personal feelings. Dialogues can be spoken or written, and they can take many different forms, such as casual conversations, formal debates, and literary works, etc.

Elements of a dialogue

  • Topic: The subject matter of the conversation.
  • Speakers: The people who are involved in the conversation.
  • Context: The setting and circumstances in which the conversation takes place.
  • Turns: The individual utterances that make up the conversation.

Guiding instructions for composing a dialogue

  • Clarify the situation in which you are creating a dialogue.
  • Brainstorm the content and the context.
  • Fluently express the words, phrases and sentences in a logical order.
  • Begin the dialogue with just like Good Morning/ Excuse me/ May I help you? / How can I assist you? etc.
  • Close the dialogue with Thank you, See you later, etc.
  • Students should compose the dialogue in at least 6 exchanges.
Unit 7: Book Review and Film Review

A review is a critical evaluation or appraisal of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. It is an evaluation of a publication, product, service, or company or a critical take on current affairs in literature, politics or culture.

A. Writing book review

The book review is an opinion, a critique and an encouragement. A well written and comprehensive review can let you know whether that book works as a communication tool between the author and reader or not. Moreover, a book review is 'the personal reflection of the reviewer's opinion about the book, in which he/she communicates to the readers; such as was the book good and worth reading? Was it thought-provoking and informative? To whom (audience) it is recommended?'.

Elements of a book review

  1. Size: A professional book review length contains 250-450 words in length.
  2. Summary: It can have a paragraph of three to six sentences long.
  3. Analysis: It examines various elements of the story.
  4. Conclusion/Opinion: It includes your impressions about the book.
  5. Disclaimer: It is a very important legal and ethical section.
  6. Pictures/Links: Add a picture of the cover/the author.

B. Film Review

The main purpose of a movie review is to inform the reader about the film and its ideas; and recommend whether the readers should watch the movie or not.

The reviewer can organize the review by thinking of 'ISAOCR'.

  • 1. Introduction(I): The introduction part should include Title, Release date, Genre, Starring, Director, Producer, Music director, Budget, Duration, Language, and A brief explanation of what the movie is about.
  • 2. Summary of the story (S): a short exposition of movie plot, characters and their interactions.
  • 3. Analysis of the movie (A): it includes plot elements, creative elements and the relevance of the topic.
  • 4. Opinion (O): it shows the reviewer's opinions about the movie. The reviewer should back up/ support her/his opinions with examples and facts from the story.
  • 5. Conclusion (C): The reviewer should announce whether the filmmaker was successful in his/her purpose.
  • 6. Rating (R): The reviewer can rate the movie by giving star.
Unit 8: Narratives and Descriptions

A narrative is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether nonfictional (memoir, biography, autobiography, news report, documentary, travelogue, etc.) or fictional (fairy tale, fable, legend, thriller, novel, etc.). A narrative relies on story elements (plots, characters, setting, theme) and description relies on sense details (sights/sounds/smells/tastes/touch).

Sequence of events in narratives

  1. Chronological order: arranging events from start to finish.
  2. Flashback: start in the present, then backtrack to trace previous events.
  3. Flash forward: start in the present, then jump to the future.

Personal Narrative

Personal narrative (PN) is a prose narrative relating personal experience usually told in first person for self-exploration. It is an account of an event that has occurred in one's life, an experience one has had.

Description

Descriptive writing is used to describe something. It provides details about how something looks, feels, tastes, smells or sounds. It can also describe feelings, what something is, or how something happened. A description can be objective and subjective.

Unit 9: Recipe and Instructions

A recipe is a set of instructions that describes how to prepare or make something. It is especially used to prepare any dishes or complete any particular task. Recipes generally include a list of ingredients and a step-by-step cooking procedures on how to combine them.

Instructions are sets of information that teach us how to do something or use something. The more we use technology to make our lives easier, the more we need to read instructions to help us learn how to use the technology.

Guiding instructions for writing recipe

  1. First of all, make the list of ingredients along with its measurement, temperature and timings.
  2. After that, write a set of instructions in a very specific and clear way.
  3. Use simple imperative sentences.
Unit 10: Diary Entry

Diary entry is keeping record of an event (experience, scene, character, narration) in one's daily life that s/he considers valuable. As a diary is a private possession, it is not intended for public reading. Diary writing serves as a multifaceted tool for self-expression, reflection and personal development.

Format of Diary Entry

  • Date, Day, and Time: the date, day, and time to be mentioned in the top left corner.
  • Heading/Title: It is completely optional but can be given with a suitable heading.
  • Salutation/Opening: Dear Diary.
  • Content/Body: Express facts; and feelings, emotions and thoughts. The first paragraph should introduce the events and the feelings, the second paragraph should include the details of events (what happened next) and the last one talks about the thoughts for future/tomorrow.
  • Signature/Writer's name: Name at the right.

Guiding instructions for writing a diary entry

  • The beginning part of the body/content should introduce to set the scene by answering the questions who, what, where or when (make clear what the diary is being written about).
  • Chronology: The events should be mentioned in order they happened, and for this, time conjunctions should be used.
  • Style and Tone: It can be informal and personal. Voice: A diary should be written in the first person (I, Me, We...).
  • Tense/Grammar: Past tenses are used for what happened, present tense is used for the current feelings/emotions and future tenses for what the next step/goal might be.
Unit 11: Note Taking and Summarizing

Summarizing is the process of taking a longer piece of text and creating a shorter version that captures the most important points and essential information. It's like the gist of something and expressing it concisely in your own words.

In the same way, note-taking is the practice of recording key points of information from various sources, such as lectures, meetings, books, or articles. It involves actively engaging with the material, identifying the most important ideas, and organizing them in a way that facilitates understanding and recall.

Key Features of a good summary

  • Concise: A good summary should be significantly shorter than the original text.
  • Focused: It should capture the main ideas and essential information, leaving out irrelevant details.
  • Paraphrased: It should be written in your own words, not simply copied from the original text.
  • Accurate: It should faithfully represent the key points of the original text.
Unit 12: Paraorthographic Description

A paraorthographic description is a type of description that uses symbols, images, and other visual elements to represent words or concepts. This type of description can be used to communicate information in a more concise and visually appealing way than traditional written text. They can be an effective way to communicate complex information to a wide audience. A map is a description of a particular geographical area. A chart or graph is a description of data. A flow chart is a description of a process.

Some Guidelines for interpreting the charts

  • Identify the type of chart or curve line: Different types of charts, bar diagrams, tables and curve lines are used to represent different types of data.
  • Read the title, labels, and legends: These elements provide essential information about the data represented on the chart or curve line.
  • Look for patterns and trends: Analyze the data for any consistent trends or relationships.
  • Identify outliers: Look for any data points that fall significantly outside the overall pattern.
  • Compare and contrast: If you have multiple charts or curve lines, compare and contrast them to identify similarities and differences.
  • Do not add data outside the diagram/chart. The interpretation should be actual, logical and accurate. Sum up the writing with judgment, options and suggestions.
Unit 13: Communique and Press Release

A communiqué is an official message, usually issued by a government agency, organization, or other authoritative body, to inform the public about a particular event, decision, or situation. Communiqués are typically formal and used to convey important information or make announcements.

Likewise, a press release is an official statement issued by an organization to the media to announce something newsworthy. It is a way for organizations to share their news with the public and generate interest in their products, services, or activities.

Components of press release

  1. Heading and official information (Name of the Organization, Address, Press Contact person, Phone Number, Email, and Website).
  2. (centralized and write in all capital letters).
  3. Date of Press Release.
  4. Title of Press Release.
  5. Body: The first sentence is about what is happening and others should be supporting details. A short summary giving general ideas Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Remaining Paragraph with all the relevant facts/information. Use Quotations.
  6. Indicate the end of the press release with ### marks or The End.
Unit 14: Writing Letters and Messages

A letter is a written or printed message for communication typically conveyed on paper, addressed to a person or organization. The purpose of letter writing is to convey information, express emotions, and facilitate communication between individuals or organizations in a structured and formal manner.

Types of letters

Broadly, there are two types of letters. They are:

  1. Informal Letters: They are also known as personal letters or social Letters, more personal and casual, often used for friendly or family communication.
  2. Formal Letters: They are also known as business letters or official letters, used for official or business communication, include letters of application, letters to the editor, etc.

Parts of letters

  • Heading: It includes the sender’s address where the letter is written from and the date when the letter is written.
  • Salutation or Greeting: The Salutation depends on the type of letter (formal and informal) the relationship between the sender and the receiver.
  • Body/Communication: It is the place where the main content of a message is expressed using simple language. It has mainly three parts: Opening, Message, and Closing.
  • Subscription: It includes the words which help the sender to end the letter in a polite and courteous manner.
  • Signature: The signature or the name of the writer should be written just before the subscription.
  • Superscription: It is written outside the envelope. It includes the name and address of the receiver of the letter.

Formal letters include some more parts: Inside Address/ Recipient’s Address, Subject line, Reference line, and Enclosures or attachments line.

Other Letter Types

  • Writing Email: Emails (Electronic Mails) are modern-age letters which need internet connection. Email writing is an essential part of professional communication.
  • Writing Thank-you Note: A thank-you note is a type of correspondence in which the writer expresses gratitude for a gift, service, or opportunity.
  • Writing Invitation Letter: An invitation letter is a letter written to the host of an event to a guest or a group of guests (company, institutions, etc.) for the purpose of inviting them to the event.
  • Writing Letter to Editor: A letter to the editor is a formal letter that expresses one’s concern over particular issues or to highlight core issues in society.
  • Writing Complaint Letter: A complaint letter is a written document that individuals or businesses use to formally express dissatisfaction, disappointment, or concern regarding a particular product, service, person, or situation.
  • Writing Job Application & CV: A job application is a formal document or submission made by an individual seeking employment. A resume (or CV, which stands for curriculum vitae) is a document that provides a summary of your education, work experience, skills, and accomplishments.
  • Writing Message of Condolence & Sympathy: Condolence messages are written to express sympathy and comfort to someone who has experienced a loss, typically the death of a loved one. A sympathy letter is a written expression of agony and support, typically sent to someone who has experienced a loss, with the purpose of offering comfort, empathy, and solidarity during their time of grief.
  • Writing Notices: A notice is a written or printed announcement providing information or instructions to a specific audience or group of people.
Unit 15: Writing Biography

A biography is a written account of someone's life, typically focusing on key events, achievements, challenges, and personal details. It is a non-fiction genre that provides a comprehensive narrative of an individual's life, offering insights into his/her character, contributions to society, and the impact they had on the world.

Biographies can cover historical figures, political leaders, artists, scientists, celebrities, or any person whose life story is deemed significant or interesting. The purpose of a biography is to present a factual and often researched depiction of a person's life, providing readers with a better understanding of their journey and legacy.

Guiding instructions for writing biography

  1. Title: [Name of the Important/ Historical Figure].
  2. Introduction: Introduce the figure, their significance, and the historical context.
  3. Body: Divide into sections like: Early Life, Achievements, Challenges, Legacy, personal thoughts, and key events.
  4. Conclusion: Summarize the key points and significance of their life, their impact on society, etc.
Unit 16: Writing a Report

A report is a structured document that presents information systematically and clearly, often based on research or analysis. It is designed to convey data, findings, and conclusions to a specific audience for a particular purpose. Reports are commonly used in business, academia, government, and various organizations to communicate information efficiently and facilitate decision-making.

Key characteristics

  1. Purpose: Reports are written with a specific objective in mind, such as informing, analyzing, recommending, or documenting.
  2. Audience: Reports are tailored to meet the needs of a particular audience, which could range from managers and stakeholders to researchers and policymakers.
  3. Structure: Reports follow a structured format, typically including sections such as title page, executive summary, table of contents, introduction, methodology, findings, analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and appendices.
  4. Clarity and precision: Reports aim to present information clearly and concisely, often using headings, subheadings, bullet points, tables, and graphs to enhance readability.
  5. Objective and evidence-based: Reports rely on factual data and evidence to support their findings and conclusions, maintaining an objective tone.
  6. Formal Language: The language used in reports is formal and professional, appropriate for the intended audience and purpose.

Post a Comment

Thank you for the feedback.