Friday, 14 September 2018

How to write a Report


Report Writing

What is a Report?

A report is a structured description of an event, programme, accident, natural disaster, seminar, meeting or fair. It is a factual account of what happened in order/sequence.

Ingredients :

Formal structure
Careful planning/collection of facts or data
Presentation of the facts in logical manner/chronological order

Types : (according to the purpose it serves)

Academic, newspaper, business, official, political and legal

Points to remember:

1. Report needs to be brief and to the point.
2. It contains factual presentation of data/events/occurrences.
3. Happenings should be reported in chronological order.
4. Brief background of happening may be given if required.
5. It should be written in past tense. (active/passive)
6. Simple, clear and comprehensive language should be used. (no ambiguity)
7. Avoid using unnecessary jargon. (over complicated terms/language)
8. Personal opinion/view point must be avoided.
9. Don’t give additional/unnecessary information.


 Format of Report Writing

For newspaper

1. Title
2. By line – writer’s name, designation/title (ABC if no name is given)
3. Place, date, month :
4. Content (3-4 paragraphs)

Para 1. Expansion of headline, brief summary of what, when and where (2-3 sentences)
Para 2. Detailed description of happenings in sequence/order with possible reasons
Para 3. Comments of witness, remarks of spectators/people present at the spot
Para 4. Action taken so far, Conclusion with possibilities in future/steps required

For school magazine

1. Title
2. By line – writer’s name/designation if required (ABC if no name is given)
3. Content (3-4 paragraphs)

Para 1. What, where, when, why
Para 2. Description of events in sequence of happening
Para 3. Involvement of special people/chief guest/ importance/ theme of event
Para 4. Conclusion


Marking Scheme -



Format - 1 mark
Content - 4 marks
Expression - 5 marks (2.5 - accuracy and 2.5 -- relevance) 
Total - 10 marks


 Examples of a Good Report

Q1. You are Anand/Ameesha, a correspondent of The Tribune. Prepare a report on ‘Book Fair’ organised in Jaipur in about 120-150 words to be published in the newspaper.

Book Fair at Chandigarh
By Ameesha, Correspondent, The Tribune

Chandigarh, 26 August : The book lovers swarmed as a Book Fair was organised at Exhibition Centre in Chandigarh. It was organised by National Book trust, India.

The fair was inaugurated by the noted lyricist, Prasoon Joshi on 21 August, 2018 and it lasted for five days. All the leading publishing houses were invited. Among the notables were Penguin, Macmillan, Oxford, Harper Collins, Rashtriya Sahara and Sachdeva.

Fiction writers of Modern India such Amish, Anita Desai, Chetan Bhagat and Arundhati Rai attracted many book lovers. Books on technology, finance, astrology and positive thinking also pulled a big crowd.

Some schools also visited the fair aiming to inculcate reading habits among the students and had a good bargain for their library. Many people had to curtail the list of their favourite books due to high prices. The fair ended with thanksgiving speech of the Chairman of the Trust.


Q2. You are Suhani, the Cultural Secretary of ABC School, Nagpur. Prepare a report on ‘Annual Function’ on its silver jubilee organised in the school in about 200-250 words to be published in the school magazine.


Annual Day Silver Jubilee Function
By Suhani, Cultural Secretary

17 November 2018, Nagpur : A B C School, Nagpur celebrated its Annual Function with unprecedented joy and jubilation on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee year. Renowned Choreographer Remo D’souza graced the occasion as the Chief Guest who inaugurated the Function by lighting the lamp.

The Musical rendition ‘The Tale of Love and Hate’ based on the story of Malala Yousafzai was a message of struggle against terrorism and fight for Right to Education for the audience. The magnificent dances in the musical drama were a feast to the eyes and the School choir got hold of the audience through their powerful renditions. The glittering faces of the performers added a special twilight of glow to the ambience.

Prize Distribution was also held in the school to felicitate the talented and meritorious students. The school felicitated the CBSE toppers from class XII and class X with trophies and certificates encouraging them to set higher goals in their life and achieve more attractive laurels.


The beautiful presentation of the story 'The Tale of Love and hate' kept the audience glued to their seats. The Chief Guest enthused the audience by shaking a leg and spoke on the importance of education which brings emancipation of the soul.


Saturday, 14 July 2018

How to do Editing



How to do Editing


Points to remember :

1.     First of all, read the complete passage carefully.
2.     Try to understand what the passage is all about.
3.     Try to find out which tense is used/should be used.
4.     You should be able to understand whether the passage is in Active/Passive Voice.
5.     If the passage tells about some natural phenomenon/universal fact/general or scientific fact, present tense should be used, preferably Present Indefinite Tense.
6.     If the passage narrates/ describes some event/ incident/experience happened in past, you should use past tense and preferably Past Indefinite tense.
7.     A passage will be given in the question and the passage will be split in lines numbered as a b c d e f and so on.
8.     There will be one error in each line.
9.     There will be errors based on basic grammar topics such as Tenses, Verbs, Non-Finites, Prepositions, Determiners, Subject Verb Agreement, Connectors, Active-Passive Voice, etc.
10.  You are required to write the incorrect word as well as the correct     word.
11.  Follow the exercises that are given below.

Editing Exercises

Q1. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word as well as the correct word against the correct answer number.
a.     A hailstorm usually occur during                       --------     ---------
b.     Warm weather and is accompany                      --------     ---------
c.      In many cases with thunder,                              --------     ---------
d.     Lightning and rain. Hail was formed                 --------     ---------
e.     When raindrops freezes while                           --------     ---------
f.       Passing in the belt of cold air on                        --------     ---------
g.     their way for earth. Small rain                           --------     ---------
h.     drops forms very small hailstones.                   --------     ---------





Solution

            Incorrect word                   Correct word
a.         occur                                     occurs
b.        accompany                          accompanied
c.         with                                        by
d.        was                                         is
e.         freezes                                  freeze
f.         in                                             through
g.         for                                          to
h.        forms                                     form


Q2.
a.     A real friend loves you from the
b.     Greatest extent but always cares
c.      And wishes to your success in all your
d.     Ventures. Friendship was a caring, trusting
e.     While affirming inter-relationship.
f.       It is the rare jewel, a sure shelter
g.     And a essence of life. A true friend is
h.     Always committed by his friendship.






Solution

 Incorrect word                   Correct word
a.     From                                      to
b.     But                                          and
c.      To                                           for
d.     Was                                        is
e.     While                                     and
f.       The                                         a
g.     A                                             an
h.     By                                           to


Q3.
a.  Mr. Malhotra’s secretary tell his client                               --------     ---------
b.  that he had come well on time. He                                     ---------    ---------
c.  asked him for wait a bit and told that                                 ---------     ---------
d. he will be back in few minutes.                                          ---------     ---------





Solution

            Incorrect word                   Correct word
a.         Tell                                        told
b.         On                                         in
c.         For                                        to
d.         will                                       would


Q4.
Finally, one day, Sunita ran out in patience.           (a)  _______   _______
Enough was enough. she decide to confront          (b)  _______   _______
Suruchi. she asked her why she was been              (c)  _______   _______
Nasty to her. She has done nothing to offend        (d)  _______   _______
her. She knew the confrontation will mean            (e) _______    _______

the end to their relationship.                                   (f) ________   _______






Solution 4.
  Incorrect word                      Correct word
a.         in                                       of
b.         decide                               decided
c.         was                                    had
d.         has                                     had
e.         will                                     would

f.          to                                        of

Video on Editing

https://youtu.be/ge3d-3k0o1w

https://youtu.be/jcjcppy3aTM





Wednesday, 11 July 2018

How to do Omission



How to do Omission


Points to remember :

1.     First of all read the complete passage carefully.
2.     Try to understand what the passage is all about.
3.     Try to find out which tense is used/should be used.
4.     You should be able to understand whether the passage is in Active/Passive Voice.
5.     If the passage tells about some natural phenomenon/universal fact/general or scientific fact, present tense should be used, preferably Present Indefinite Tense.
6.     If the passage narrates/ describes some event/ incident/experience happened in past, you should use past tense and preferably Past Indefinite tense.
7.     A passage will be given in the question and the passage will be split in lines numbered as a b c d e f and so on.
8.     In each line one word will be omitted/missing. You have to find that missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after in order to indicate the place where the missing word should be inserted.
9.     Write all the three words of a line with the number of that line and underline the missing word that you produce. Follow the exercises that are given below.

Omission Exercises

Q1. In the passage given below one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word and the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Remember to underline the word that you produce.

a.     Man’s practice increases hard work.
b.     If he does not it, his practice suffers.
c.      The lawyer is judged the cases he wins.
d.     The writer’s success examined by the
e.     opinion of the readers critics whereas the
f.       typist’s efficiency is tested by speed and
accuracy of his work.


Solution 1

Before W.               Missing W.        After W.
a.     increases                    with                hard
b.     not                              do                  it
c.      judged                       by                   the
d.     success                      is                     examined
e.     readers                       and                  critics
f.       by                               his                  speed


Q2.
a. Alfred Nobel a clear view of what                           
b. Was happening International politics during                   
c. The second half the 19th century. His own
d. Activity as industrialist was to the                           
e. Utmost degree international it was                         
f. Vitally necessary for him follow                                            
    this development.






Solution 2

Before W.          Missing W.              After W.
a.     Nobel                         had                 a
b.     happening                  in                    international
c.      half                             of                  the
d.     as                                an                  industrialist 
e.     international              and                  it
f.       him                             to                   follow



Q3.
The magician climbed on the platform. He waved
the audience. He took two boxes in his hand.
One was bigger the other. He showed both
boxes the spectators. There was
nothing them. Then he took some small
pieces of paper put them into the smaller
 box. He then covered the box a black
cloth and waved wand over it.







Solution 3

Before W.     Missing W.   After W.
on                   to                   the
__                   to                   the
bigger            than               the
boxes             to                    the
nothing         in                     them
paper             and                 put
box                with               a
waved           his                   wand



Q4.
                Before / missing / after
Walking very beneficial to us                                          walking / is / very
We should get up early the morning                                 (a) ________
and go for a walk. Those are                                             (b) ________
used to for morning walks, will find it                                 (c) ________
impossible to remain bed in the                                         (d) ________
morning. For them it not so much                                     (e) ________
an exercise but pleasure.                                                    (f) ________







Solution 4
 (a)   early       in        the
 (b)  those      who    are
 (c)  to           going   for
 (d)  remain   in         bed
 (e)  it            is         not
 (f)   but        a          pleasure 


Videos on Omission

https://youtu.be/CZ7wl069DJM

https://youtu.be/fd4hVsE-0C8



Monday, 25 June 2018

Letter of Enquiry



Enquiry Letter


What is an Enquiry Letter?

An enquiry letter is a formal letter. It is written to enquire or to get information about some study course, accommodation/services in hotel, products available in any centre, vacation trip, etc.

Purpose :

To draw information from and about any institution/office/college/centre

To find answers to your specific questions regarding any study course / accommodation / services / facilities / products / offers.



What does it include?

It must specify the particulars of enquiry, for example – fee, duration, place, timing, cost, facilities, services, norms, terms and conditions, etc.

The Format of an Enquiry Letter

Sender’s address
Leave a line
Date (11 June 2018)
Leave a line
Receiver’s address
Leave a line
Subject (topic in brief)
Salutation (Sir/Ma’am)
Content (3-4 paragraphs)         
Subscription (Yours faithfully/sincerely)
Writer’s Name (if given/ABC)
Contact number/email address/ designation (if required)


Content Specifications

1 Paragraph – state the purpose of writing letter, reference of newspaper/advertisement and about yourself/purpose
2 Paragraph – Include all the enquiry points/questions/queries
3 Paragraph – conclude the letter asking for reply, information, contact number, etc. as soon as possible
4 Paragraph – complimentary close, attachments (if any)

Language specifications

1.     Use formal but simple language.
2.     Be polite and respectful.
3.     All queries/questions must be clear and specific.
4.     Be precise and to the point in your enquiry.
5.     Don’t include irrelevant/unnecessary details/questions.


Possible queries

Total fees/cost/charges
Mode of payment
Duration of course / timings of classes
Accommodation in hotel/house
Other facilities/services/discount/offers
Admission procedure/norms/scholarship available or not 
eligibility criteria
Mode of transportation/place/distance
Hostel facilities
Other norms/terms and conditions
Campus placement
Hotel charges
Complimentary breakfast
Pick up from station or not
facilities of hot/cold water
driver stay available or not
vehicle for sight seeing
hotel view
Tour package
Places to visit/covered
Type of transport
Food facilities
Fun activities
Guide provided or not
Sight seeing options



Sample Letter

Q. You Ajay/ Ankita, a resident of A-123, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi. You have passed senior secondary from CBSE and decided to pursue graduation in English honours. Write a letter to the Director of British School of Language, New Delhi seeking information about the English Speaking Course and admission procedure.

Ans.

A-123, Uttam Nagar
New Delhi
email : ajay0123@gmail.com

28 June 2018

The Director
British School of Language
New Delhi

Subject : Seeking information about English Speaking Course

Sir / Ma'am
With reference to your advertisement about your Institute in Hindustan Times dated 27 June 2018, I wish to seek admission in your school. I have just passed my Senior Secondary examination from CBSE and decided to pursue my Graduation in English honours. Along with that I wish to do a course in English speaking from your reputed institute to enhance my communication skills.

Therefore, I request you to furnish me the following details :
Total duration of course 
Timings of classes
Total cost of the course 
Mode of payment
Transport facilities
Eligibility criteria/qualifications
Date of commencement of course

I would be grateful if you could send me the brochure and contact and above mentioned details to my address at the earliest. 
Thank you.

Yours sincerely
Ajay/Ankita
Contact : 9811xxxxxx

Video on Enquiry Letter 
https://youtu.be/qGEdACwYmXo