Start with a catchy, thought-provoking title that draws the reader in. Open with a hook — a relevant quote, statistic, or rhetorical question — to set the tone. Maintain a clear structure: an engaging introduction, a well-organized body with short paragraphs or subheadings, and a strong conclusion that leaves the reader reflecting. Keep the tone semi-formal yet conversational, as if speaking to a wide audience. Use one or two well-chosen statistics or quotes to add credibility, and connect ideas to relatable, real-life examples. Make sure that your presentation is neat and make your last line memorable so it stays with the examiner.
Purpose:
Informal yet informative, interactive tone, often personal opinion mixed with facts.
Format:
Title: Catchy, attention-grabbing.
Introduction: Briefly introduce topic, hook the reader.
Body: Subheadings, short paragraphs, bullet points for clarity.
Conclusion: Summarize and invite discussion.
Optional: Date, author’s name, tags.
Ways to Stand Out:
Statistics: “According to WHO, 1 in 4 people will be affected by mental health issues in their lifetime.”
Quotes: Use famous personalities or experts (“As Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said…”).
Interactive Elements: Rhetorical questions (“Have you ever wondered why…?”).
Relatable Examples: Local events or Kerala-specific references.
Call-to-Action: Encourage readers to engage, act, comment or share.
Sample Question:
In Robert Frost’s "Mending Wall," the poet explores the idea of barriers between people — both physical and emotional. Write a blog post discussing the relevance of the poem's message in today’s world. Do walls truly make good neighbours, or do they keep us apart? Reflect on the need for boundaries and the importance of connection in modern society. (Score: 8)
Ready-to-use ingredients:
Opening hook:
“In a world
of gated communities, privacy settings, and virtual fences, Robert
Frost’s words — ‘Something there is that doesn’t love a wall’ — still
echo with meaning.”
Statistics:
“A 2021 Pew Research study
found that 35% of people globally feel ‘more isolated’ than they did
five years ago, despite being more connected online.”
Quote:
From the poem itself: “Good fences make good neighbours.” — followed by analysis of both sides.
Reflection line:
“Boundaries should be bridges in disguise — defining space, but never disconnecting souls.”
Sample Answer
Should Walls Divide Us or Define Us?
Mohan Kumar
10 August 2025
“In a world of gated communities, privacy settings, and virtual fences, Robert Frost’s words — ‘Something there is that doesn’t love a wall’ — still echo with meaning.”
In his poem *Mending Wall*, Frost questions the idea that “Good fences make good neighbours.” In today’s world, this debate feels more relevant than ever.
Boundaries can be important — they define personal space, ensure security, and protect privacy. Yet, too many walls, whether physical or emotional, can create isolation. A 2021 Pew Research study found that 35% of people globally feel more isolated than they did five years ago, despite being more connected online.
The key is balance. We need boundaries that protect, but also doors and bridges that connect. Healthy boundaries respect differences; healthy connections celebrate our shared humanity.
Walls should never be so high that we cannot hear each other’s voices. In the end, the best fences are the ones that also have gates.
2. LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To write a high scoring 'letter to the editor', follow a clear, formal format: your address, date, the editor’s address, salutation, subject line, and then the body. Begin with a concise introduction stating the issue and why it matters. In the body, present facts, statistics, or recent events to support your view, followed by practical suggestions or solutions. Keep the tone respectful yet firm, showing both awareness and conviction. Conclude with a strong call to action, urging authorities or the public to respond. Use one or two quotes or figures(statistics) to add authenticity, avoid overly long sentences, and maintain neat, well-spaced paragraphs.
Purpose:
Formal, opinionated, addresses a social/public issue, usually seeking action or awareness.
Format:
Sender’s Address (top left)
Date
Editor’s Address (The Editor, [Newspaper Name], [Place])
Subject Line (optional but helps clarity)
Salutation (“Sir/Madam,”)
Intro Paragraph: State issue and why it matters.
Body Paragraph(s): Give facts, examples, solutions.
Conclusion: Request action/attention.
Closing (“Yours faithfully,”)
Name & Designation
Ways to Stand Out:
Recent Statistics: “In the past year, road accidents in Kerala have increased by 18%.”
Reference to News: Connect to a recent headline.
Brief & Sharp: Avoid long sentences.
Balanced Tone: Firm but respectful.
Format
[Your Address]
[Date]
The Editor(To Address)
[Newspaper Name]
[City]
Sir/Madam,
[Intro Paragraph]
[Body Paragraphs – Facts, Suggestions]
[Conclusion – Call to Action]
Yours faithfully,
[Sign]
[Your Name]
Sample Question
You recently read the article "Horegallu" by Sudha Murty, which highlights the importance of having someone who listens and the need for spaces where people can unburden themselves. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your views on the need for more public places in cities — such as parks and community spaces — where people can come together, interact, and support one another emotionally. (Score: 6)
Ready-to-use ingredients:
Opening hook:
“In an age where our conversations are more digital than personal, the value of spaces that encourage human connection has never been greater.”
Statistics:
“According to the UN-Habitat report (2022), only 12% of urban land in Indian cities is dedicated to open public spaces, far below the global average of 30%.”
Quote:
“As Sudha Murty wrote in Horegallu, everyone needs a stone bench to rest their mind.”
Power closing:
“By investing in parks, community halls, and open forums, we are not just creating physical spaces, but emotional safety nets for society.”
Sample Answer
[Your Address]
10 August 2025
The Editor
The Hindu
Kochi
Sir/Madam,
Subject: The Need for More Public Spaces in Our Cities
In an age where our conversations are more digital than personal, the value of spaces that encourage human connection has never been greater. I was inspired by Sudha Murty’s article *Horegallu*, which reminded me of the importance of having a place — and a person — to rest our minds.
Unfortunately, in most Indian cities, such spaces are disappearing. According to the UN-Habitat report (2022), only 12% of urban land in Indian cities is dedicated to open public spaces, far below the global average of 30%. The lack of parks, community halls, and safe gathering areas not only limits recreation but also reduces opportunities for emotional support and neighbourly interaction.
Our cities need more parks with benches, community libraries, and open forums where people can meet without barriers. By investing in these, we are not just creating physical areas, but emotional safety nets for society.
I request that this issue be brought to the attention of civic authorities and urban planners so that we can build cities that care for both body and mind.
Yours faithfully,
[Sign]
[Your Name]
3. SPEECH
Begin with a warm, respectful greeting to the audience and a brief introduction of your topic. Start strong with an inspiring quote, striking statistic, or rhetorical question to grab attention. Organize the body into clear points, each supported by examples, facts, or personal anecdotes, and maintain a logical flow. Use persuasive language, rhetorical devices like repetition or contrasts, and a balance of emotion and logic to keep listeners engaged. Conclude with a powerful call to action or memorable closing line, followed by a polite “Thank you.” Keep the tone confident yet respectful, underline impactful phrases, and ensure your handwriting is neat for a professional finish.
Purpose:
Persuasive or motivational, spoken delivery, emotional appeal.
Format:
Opening Address: “Respected Principal, teachers, and dear friends…”
Introduction: State the topic and why it matters.
Body:
Problem or background.
Facts and figures.
Personal anecdotes or famous quotes.
Logical arguments in a clear sequence.
Conclusion: Strong takeaway or call to action.
Closing: “Thank you.”
Ways to Stand Out:
Rhetorical Devices: Repetition, metaphors (“We are not just inheriting the Earth, we are borrowing it from our children.”).
Voice of Authority: Use credible sources.
Emotion + Logic: Combine heart-touching stories with statistics.
Audience Engagement: Ask questions, use humor where appropriate.
Sample Question
Prepare a speech to be delivered at a meeting organized as part of the Women's Day celebrations in your school on the topic "The Importance of Women Empowerment and Ways to Achieve It." (Write in about 200 words/ two pages) (Score: 8)
Ready-to-use ingredients:
Opening quote:
“As Malala Yousafzai said, ‘We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.’”
Statistics:
“According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, at the current pace, it will take 132 years to achieve full gender equality worldwide.”
Structure for body:
Why important: economic growth, social progress, human rights.
Ways: education, equal pay laws, representation in leadership, challenging stereotypes.
Impact line for ending:
“Empower a woman, and you empower a generation.”
Sample Answer
Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends,
Good morning to you all. Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, I stand before you to speak on the importance of women empowerment and ways to achieve it.
As Malala Yousafzai said, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Women empowerment is not just a women’s issue — it is a human issue. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, at the current pace, it will take 132 years to achieve full gender equality worldwide. We cannot afford to wait that long.
Empowering women means giving them equal access to education, fair wages, and opportunities in leadership. It means challenging stereotypes and ensuring safety in workplaces and public spaces. It also means encouraging women to voice their opinions without fear.
When women are empowered, families prosper, communities progress, and nations grow stronger. Remember — empower a woman, and you empower a generation.
Let us pledge today to stand for equality, speak up against injustice, and create a world where every woman can reach her full potential.
Thank you.
4. MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Start with a catchy, imaginative title that sparks curiosity, followed by a byline with your name. Open with an engaging lead sentence — a vivid image, surprising fact, or thought-provoking quote — to draw readers in. Structure the body into clear, well-connected paragraphs, possibly with subheadings, and blend facts, examples, and a touch of creativity to maintain interest. Keep the tone semi-formal yet lively, suitable for a wide audience, and use one or two well-chosen statistics or quotes to add credibility. End with a memorable conclusion that either inspires, challenges, or leaves the reader reflecting. Maintain neat presentation, underline key points, and ensure the article flows smoothly from start to finish.
Purpose:
Semi-formal, informative yet creative, designed to be attractive to readers.
Format:
Headline: Interesting, sometimes pun-based.
Byline: Name of author.
Intro Paragraph: Attention-grabber, sets the tone.
Body: Well-organized paragraphs with subheadings.
Visual Appeal: Mention photos, sidebars, or quotes (even if you can’t add them in the exam).
Conclusion: Summary, reflection, or open-ended thought.
Ways to Stand Out:
Quirky Facts: Lesser-known details related to the topic.
Short Punchy Sentences: Keeps reader hooked.
Quotes from Experts: “According to environmentalist Vandana Shiva…”
Comparisons & Analogies: Make concepts vivid.
Local Angle: Connect to Kerala’s culture, festivals, or current events.
Sample Question
In her short story "Matchbox," Ashapurna Debi portrays the silent suffering of women who suppress their emotions and grievances within the confines of domestic life. Write a magazine article on the topic:"Why Women Must Step Out of Their Comfort Zones and Speak Up About Their Issues." Discuss how silence often leads to suppression, and why expressing one’s voice is vital for personal empowerment and social change. (Score: 8)
Ready-to-use ingredients:
Opening hook:
“Silence may be golden, but for many women, it has been a chain.”
Statistics:
“The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports that 29% of Indian women experience domestic violence, yet less than 14% seek help.”
Quote:
“Your silence will not protect you.” — Audre Lorde.
Closing line:
“Speaking out is not an act of rebellion; it is an act of survival, and of hope for a more equal tomorrow.”
Sample Answer
Title: Finding the Voice Within
By: [Your Name]
Silence may be golden, but for many women, it has been a chain. Ashapurna Debi’s story *Matchbox* reveals how unspoken grievances slowly burn inside, consuming both peace and dignity.
The truth is stark. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports that 29% of Indian women experience domestic violence, yet less than 14% seek help. This silence allows injustice to thrive. “Your silence will not protect you,” wrote activist Audre Lorde — a reminder that speaking out is an act of self-preservation.
Breaking silence does not mean creating conflict; it means refusing to accept injustice. It means sharing experiences, seeking support, and inspiring others to do the same. Speaking up transforms private suffering into public awareness, and awareness into change.
It is time for women to step out of their comfort zones, claim their voices, and shape their futures. For when one woman speaks, she speaks for many.
Extra Tips to Shine in All Four Formats
Use relevant statistics — but don’t overload; 1–2 per piece is enough.
Include one apt quote — makes it look researched.
Vary sentence length — mix short impactful lines with longer informative ones.
Strong openings & closings — the first and last lines are what examiners remember.
Neat presentation — leave a line between paragraphs, underline headings.
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