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Writing skills: Class 12 English
Planning and paragraph writing, essays, formal and informal letters, applications, stories, dialogues, reports, précis and notes, with the formats, structure, linking words, and a short model for each.
Key points
Good writing begins with planning. Read the topic, note the key points, put them in order, write, and then check spelling, grammar and punctuation. Each piece should have a clear opening, a developed middle and a closing. Stay on the topic and keep the language simple and correct.
A paragraph deals with one idea. It starts with a topic sentence, continues with supporting sentences that give reasons or examples, and ends with a closing sentence. Link sentences with words such as first, moreover, for example, however and therefore.
An essay has three parts:
- Introduction: one paragraph that presents the topic and your view.
- Body: two to four paragraphs, each with one main point and its support.
- Conclusion: a short paragraph that sums up and leaves a final thought.
- Before writing, make an outline of five to six points and keep to it.
Types of essay include descriptive (a place or event), narrative (a personal experience), argumentative (for and against a view) and reflective (on a quotation or a topic of social interest). Use a quotation or proverb only if it fits the topic. Do not write long unrelated sentences.
Format of a formal letter (to an editor, principal or official):
- Sender's address at the top right and the date below it.
- Receiver's title and address at the left.
- Salutation: Dear Sir or Dear Madam.
- Subject line, for example: Subject: Shortage of water in our area.
- Body: first paragraph states the purpose, middle gives details, last asks for action.
- Closing: Yours faithfully (when you do not know the name) or Yours sincerely, then your signature and name.
An informal (personal) letter to a friend or relative has the sender's address and date, a warm salutation such as Dear Ayesha, a friendly body in simple conversational words, and a closing like Your loving friend or With best wishes. It does not need a subject line or the receiver's address.
An application is a formal request, such as for leave, a scholarship or a job. Start with the receiver's title (The Principal, Government College, Multan), the subject line, then Respectfully Sir, and the request with a reason. End with Yours obediently or Yours truly, and add your name, class and roll number. For job applications, add your qualifications and experience, and mention enclosures.
A story needs a title, a setting, characters, a problem, a turning point and an ending that shows a lesson or a result. Use the past tense and short, clear sentences. A dialogue shows each speaker's words in a new line with speech marks, and a report gives facts of an event in the past tense with headline, date, place and details.
A précis is a short version of a passage, about one third of its length. Read the passage twice, find the main idea, remove examples and repetition, write in your own words, in the third person and past or present tense as the passage requires, and give a title. Notes making uses headings and subheadings, abbreviations and short phrases.
Check your writing: Is each sentence complete? Do the verbs agree with the subjects? Are capital letters and punctuation correct? Is the handwriting neat? Do not use slang, and do not repeat the same word again and again.
Study tip: Practise one essay, one letter and one application every week, and time yourself to 40 minutes for the three. Learn the formats by heart so that you spend the exam time on ideas. Keep a list of about twenty linking words and use them. Leave five minutes to correct spelling and punctuation, as neat and error free writing earns higher marks.
Definitions and flashcards
Say the meaning first, then open the card to check.
Topic sentence
The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph
Outline
A plan listing the main points before writing
Salutation
The greeting at the start of a letter, such as Dear Sir
Complimentary close
The closing phrase of a letter, such as Yours faithfully
Précis
A shortened version of a passage that keeps the main idea
Formal register
A polite and exact style used in official writing
Cohesion
Smooth linking between sentences and paragraphs
Narrative
A written account of events in order
Short questions with model answers
These are the kind of questions asked for 2, 3 and 5 marks. Try each one before opening the answer.
What are the three parts of an essay? (2 marks)
The introduction presents the topic, the body develops the main points with support, and the conclusion sums up the discussion.
When do we use 'Yours faithfully' and when 'Yours sincerely'? (2 marks)
We use Yours faithfully when the letter begins with Dear Sir or Dear Madam, as we do not know the name. We use Yours sincerely when we begin with the person's name, for example Dear Mr Khan.
Write the steps to write a good précis. (5 marks)
First read the passage twice and understand it. Then underline the main points and find the central idea. Remove examples, quotations and repetition. Write a draft in your own words, in about one third of the length, in indirect speech and the third person. Give a suitable title. Finally read it again to check that the sense is the same and that no new opinion has been added.
Write the format of a leave application. (3 marks)
Write The Principal, the name of the school and its city. Add the subject, for example Application for leave for two days. Begin with Respected Sir, state the reason, give the dates and ask for permission. Close with Yours obediently and your name, class and roll number, followed by the date.
Why is a topic sentence important in a paragraph? (2 marks)
It tells the reader the main idea at the start, so the paragraph stays focused. All other sentences then support it with reasons and examples.
Explain the difference between a formal and an informal letter. (3 marks)
A formal letter is written to an officer, editor or institution. It has the receiver's address, a subject line and polite words, and uses a fixed format. An informal letter is written to friends or family in a friendly tone with simple words and no subject line. The formal letter closes with Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely and the informal one with a warm phrase such as With love.
Common mistakes
- Starting writing without a plan, which causes repeated and scattered points.
- Writing the essay as one long paragraph instead of a clear introduction, body and conclusion.
- Using informal words and contractions in an application or formal letter.
- Copying the passage line by line in a précis instead of shortening it in own words.
- Mixing up the closing phrases, for example Dear Sir ending with Yours sincerely.