DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, GREATER NOIDA

CLASS- XI
SESSION: 2024-25
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
WORK STATEMENT- 4

WRITING SKILL: LETTER TO EDITOR

WORD LIMIT-120-150 WORDS MARKS-5M
FORMAT-1M CONTENT-2M EXPRESSION(FLUENCY/ACCURACY) -2M
FORMAT & PARA WISE CONTENT
Sender’s Address without name (2-3 lines)

Date in expanded form

Receiver’s Designation & address ( 3-4 lines)

Sub: Regarding/Throwing light on/ Expressing concern about........ (in one line, to be underlined)

Para-1 Topic introduction-Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to express my concern
about /throw light on/discuss the issue of/ invite the attention of everyone concerned towards.............. (1-2
sentences)

Para-2 Topic discussion- Reasons/Consequences, Merits & Demerits of a situation etc, as per what the
question demands (2-3 sentences)

Para-3 Suggestions for improvement (1-2 sentences)

Para-4- Conclusion- Hope-What does the writer expect through his open letter eg: I hope my letter is an
eye opener / brings awareness among the general public/gets adequate space in your widely read daily/ and
urge everyone concerned to work towards a permanent solution (1-2 sentences)

Yours truly

Sign

(FULL NAME)

 A line to be left between paragraphs

 All paragraphs must, more or less, be of a similar length.
SAMPLE LETTER

Despite being an essential component of road safety infrastructure, many people do not respect
zebra crossings and fail to follow traffic rules, which results in hazardous situations on the roads.
Write a letter to the editor of the Indian Express, expressing your concern. Also, provide
suggestions for spreading awareness of rules and ways to ensure adherence. (120-150 words)

A-225/4
Gulshan Apts, Noida

July 8, 2024

The Editor
The Indian Express
New Delhi

Sub: Promoting road safety and respect for zebra crossings

Dear sir

Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to express my concern about the lack of
respect for zebra crossings. Despite their importance, people disregard zebra crossings and break
traffic rules, leading to dangerous situations on roads.

It is disheartening to witness countless instances where pedestrians are put at risk due to driver’s
failure to adhere to traffic regulations. This behaviour not only threatens lives but also disregards
the rules of road safety.

To address this pressing issue, we need to raise awareness and promote adherence to traffic rules,
particularly regarding zebra crossings. Educational campaigns through various media platforms
can play a pivotal role in informing the public about the significance of zebra crossings and the
fines and penalties associated with them. Also, strengthening the traffic police force can further
reinforce compliance with traffic regulations.

I trust that my letter will encourage all the stakeholders to organize community engagement
programs to build mutual respect between pedestrians and drivers. By fostering a sense of
responsibility, we can create safer streets for everyone. Let us work together to instill a culture of
respect for zebra crossings and uphold the fundamental principles of road safety.

Yours truly

Sign

Akriti Goel
POINTS TO REMEMBER:

 Give personal views on the topic

 Use strong/impactful words to influence the readers.
 Write in First person.
 Do not tell the editor to take action on the issue, rather, request for space in the newspaper
for your letter.
 In Para-1, you may mention an incident that urged you to write the letter.
 Invent information such as the address of the sender and the newspaper.
 Do not write Local daily/National Daily as the name of the newspaper.
 Depending upon the topics, suggestions and hope could be clubbed into one paragraph or
the topic discussion could be done in 2 brief paragraphs if the content so demands.
 Adhere to the word limit and brevity of words in each paragraph.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS (120-150 WORDS):

1. Lack of job opportunities in rural areas is forcing people to migrate to cities. Every big city has a
number of slums. Life in these slums is miserable. Write a letter to the editor of a leading daily,
throwing light on the issue and giving out practical suggestions on how we can improve the living
conditions in these slums. You are Karan/Karuna, 14 Mall Road, Delhi.
2. You are Anu/Akshat Saxena, a class 12 student, residing in Delhi. You are aware of the changing
scenario because of the integration of digital technology in teaching and learning. Write a letter to
the editor discussing the potential benefits and challenges faced by educators, students, and
educational institutions, and how can these be effectively addressed to enhance the learning
experience.

NOTE MAKING
FORMAT

MAIN HEADING

1. Sub Heading
1.1 ..........................
1.2............................. (Relevant Points)
1.3............................

2. Sub Heading
2.1....................................
2.2....................................
2.3....................................
2.3.1-----------------------
2.3.2-----------------------(Sub- Points to further explain a Point)
 3. Sub Heading
3.1..................................
3.2..................................
3.2.1-----------------------
3.2.2-----------------------
3.3..........................................

Key to Abbreviations
Sl. No Abbreviations Complete Word

GUIDELINES FOR MAKING NOTES

1) MAIN HEADING
• It should be formal, preferably picked up from the passage itself.
• No fanciful/ creative title to be given in note making
• It should never be a single word title (nor too long)
• Write the title in centre in capital letters and underline it
• Do not use abbreviation in the main heading
• Title is for 1 mark (out of 5)

2) SUB- HEADINGS
• Include minimum 3 and maximum 5
• Should not be long/ full sentences
• Write sub-headings as per the content of the passage (no creativity required)
• Avoid abbreviations in sub-headings too

3) POINTS UNDER SUB-HEADINGS

• Include minimum 3 and maximum 5
• Should never be written in full sentences (leads to marks deduction)
• Use ONLY PHRASES AND WORDS while writing sub-points
• Must be related to the sub-heading

4) SUB- POINTS UNDER THE POINTS

• Make sub- points only if required to express the content
• No extra marks for making sub- points
• Stick to just 2 or 3 sub- points
• Must be related to the point
• Should never be written in full sentences (leads to marks deduction)
• Use ONLY PHRASES AND WORDS while writing sub-points

5) ABBREVIATIONS
 • A key to abbreviation table to be made at the end of the notes
• Include minimum 4 abbreviations and maximum 6
• Try to abbreviate those words which are long or which are being repeated often in
your notes
• Don’t abbreviate a 4 to 5 letters word
• While abbreviating, use the first few letters and the last few letters of a word.
Example- government- govt. Advertisement- advt. reading- rdng
• You may also abbreviate a word by removing all the vowels
• You may also use universally accepted standard abbreviations (Rs, yrs, i.e, edn, std,
e.g., etc and so on) , as well as symbols (=, +, & etc)

 Marks break up: (5 marks)

Heading- 1 mark
Content- 2 marks
Indentation/ Numbering- 1 mark
Key to abbreviations box- 1 mark

 Indentation (proper spacing in the serial numbers of the sub-headings, points and
sub- points) is a must.

 Use proper numbering (don't use notations like * or bullet points)

 Write numbers in figures, not in words. (eg.3 yrs, not, three years)

 Avoid using articles or conjunctions in Notes.

SUMMARY

 Content-2 Marks, Expression-1 Marks

 Write in complete sentences, in ONE paragraph of 50 words.

 Do not use abbreviations in Summary.

 Summary should be a further summing up of the notes, not the passage.

 Exceeding or writing less than the word limit/ writing in points/ writing in more than
one paragraph will lead to deduction of marks. (-0.5 for every 5 extra / deficit of
words)

SAMPLE QUESTION

Read the following passage and make appropriate notes. Use abbreviations wherever
possible. Also write a Summary of the notes in 80 words.

Young people today have many career choices, ranging from the traditional options of
engineering, medicine, architecture, CA, Law to new age careers in animation, mobile
applications, robotics, business analytics and media communications. Within each Sector
there are infinite variations which make it difficult to find the 'right fit career'. A combination
of many factors could help you make a realistic and informed choice while selecting the
career and its consequent academic track.

A vital piece of information which may lessen the anxiety is that people are changing their
careers several times in their work lives based on new opportunities, new learning and
changing demands of the work environment. In addition, virtual classrooms and internet
portals are providing continual learning opportunities to pick-up subjects and skills you have
not taken in school or college.

The ideal career is the one which matches three main criteria. Identifying a few broad career
sectors which match 'aptitude and interest’ is a good way to start the search. Choose the
career which is in harmony with subjects you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy writing and
reading, you may start the search by considering careers in law, journalism, and media.
Physics and Maths is a good indication for engineering professions. Talent for art and design
finds outlets in fashion, interiors, products design, illustration, animation, film and
photography. Bio-Chemistry is the pillar for careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing,
pharmacy, bio-technology, nutrition, food science, environmental sciences, etc.

There are many aptitude tests conducted by experts and there are some free tests available
online that can help identify subject specific strengths and weaknesses as well as personality
parameters. However, this assessment must be combined with actual academic performance
of the last few years for a realistic evaluation. For example, a student may have a strong
aptitude for mathematics and the sciences, but if the academic marks are low, it indicates a
lack of focus. Just intelligence or interest in the subject areas is not enough. Success in a
career requires diligence, discipline and dedication.

The second factor is 'feasibility'. This means that the chosen discipline must have
employment demand. The best way to analyse the scope of a career is to meet people
working in the chosen sector. Talk to professionals and ask them questions about the
challenges of their work day and the future growth potential they see in the sector of work.

The third factor in choosing a career is 'doability'. You must be prepared to put in the hard
work integral to prepare for the specific career. For example, you may want to be a doctor,
lawyer or a CA, or even an artist, but you need to walk the academic track only if you are
prepared to put in the years of academic study. Find ways like internships or shadow options
to observe people in the work environment. This helps to view the reality of all aspects of the
work so that you are not swayed by the glamour or the novelty quotient. Ultimately career
growth depends on excellence of performance, so select the field that matches your
personality and talent the most.

RIGHT FIT CAREER

1. Crr Options for Young Ppl

1.1. Traditional crr
1.1.1. Engg, medicine
1.1.2. Law, CA
1.2. New Age Crr
 1.2.1. Animation
1.2.2. Robotics
1.3. Lot of Factors affecting choice of crr
1.3.1. Apt.& interest
1.3.2. Feasibility
1.3.3. Doability

2. Why do Ppl Change Crr Often?

2.1. New learning thru virtual platforms
2.2. New opportunities
2.3. New chlngs at work

3. Apt. & Interest

3.1. Subs & crr to be in harmony
3.1.1. Reading & writing- law, media
3.1.2. Art & design- fashion, interior etc.
3.2. Know strengths & weaknesses thr apt. test
3.3. Realistic evaluation of atp & academic performance
3.4. Success- diligence, discipline & dedication

4. Feasibility
4.1. Emplmnt chances of chosen filed.
4.2. Check by talking to ppl
4.3. Know chances of growth, chlngs

5. Doability
5.1. Willingness to study hard to reach crr
5.2. doability to be checked thru internships, observing ppl
5.3. Real interest or glamour quetient?
5.4. Need to choose crr wisely

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
Sl. No Abbreviation Complete word
1 Crr Career
2. ppl People
3. engg Engineering
4. chlngs Challenges
5. emplmnt Employment
6. apttd Aptitude
7. & And
8. Thrgh Through

SUMMARY
Young people have traditional and modern career choices. It is possible to change one's
career by learning about new fields and new opportunities. One must choose such careers that
match with the subjects he enjoys studying. Aptitude can be tested through tests and need to
be combined with hard work. Ensure that the chosen field has opportunities for employment
(feasibility). It is also important that one is willing to study hard to reach the chosen career
and excel in it (doability).

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Read the following passage and make notes based on it using a proper format. Write a
summary of the notes in 80 words:

It seems that there is never enough time in the day, but since we all get the same 24 hours,
why is it that some people achieve so much more with their time than others? The answer lies
in good time management. Time management refers to the way that you organize and plan
how long you spend on specific activities. Good time management requires an important shift
in focus from activities to results. Being busy isn’t the same as being effective. Spending
your day in a frenzy of activities often achieves less because you are dividing your attention
between so many different tasks.

If you are a high school student of today, you can surely relate to this topic better. Your
hectic days spin around your school, coaching centres and hobby classes, leaving most of you
terribly confused and in stress, but who is the culprit here? One cannot do away with any one
activity to ease out the other. We expect our kids to be Jacks of all trade and be the masters of
them all too.

Also in the work front, good time management helps you work smarter, not harder, so you
get more work done in less time. It improves productivity and efficiency. Your reputation as
a professional grows. The stress levels dip and a world of opportunities opens up before you.
Your career advances and important goals are reached.

Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences.
Deadlines are missed and the work flow is not only inefficient, but of poor quality, making
you lose your self- esteem before your colleagues and superiors. You struggle to give time to
your family, to yourself and cannot even perform your basic necessities like eating and
sleeping on time, leaving your life in an unmanageable mess.

But is there a tried and tested strategy to acquire good time management skills? The only
remedy here is learning to balance out your time meticulously, which can be done with a little
bit of planning and prioritization of your work. The first thing is to begin your day well. Early
to bed and early to rise make one healthy, happy and wise, so getting up early in the morning
gives you that extra hours to do your multiple tasks better than those who sleep till late. Next
is learning to put aside those works that do not require your immediate attention. Last, but not
the least, if you are in a position to do so, learn to delegate some work to others in your team
than deciding to do it all by yourself. The recipe for a successful and happy life is to breathe
life into every moment of your existence and that is only possible if you learn to manage your
time judiciously.