ARTICLE WRITING

Marks Division

Format: 1 

Content: 2

Expression: 2

Word Limit: 150 to 200 words

Writing an article is an art. The dictionary defines an article as a piece of writing about a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine. An article is an expression of one’s thoughts on an issue or a subject logically and coherently written in meaningful paragraphs.

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• A suitable title must be given. Under the heading, the writer's name must be written
• The article must be written in at least 3 paragraphs If the topic is controversial and asks for an opinion, students must give arguments to support one aspect of it and not offer a compromise. Examples / statistical figures must be given to support a student's viewpoint
• If articles pertain to current topics / problems, students should include the following points:
• Examples / statistical figures comparing the past with the present situation must be given to highlight the problem
• Reasons for the situation /problem existing
• Effects of such a situation
• Possible Solutions / Remedial measures to rectify the situation

FORMAT OF AN ARTICLE

TITLE	Eye-catching, illustrating the Central Themes
BY LINE	Writer’s Name under the Title
Para1	State the context/ Put the topic in perspective while drawing    readers’ attention. Quote a recent incident/ event / happening/ news Give some startling facts, statistics or survey findings
Para 2	Causes / advantages/ demerits
Para 3	Consequences/ disadvantage/ merits
Pare 4	Solutions/ suggestions/ opinion/ recommendations/ hope / appeal/    call for action

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2

Over the past few years there has been constant rise in Coaching Institutes and private tuition centers all over India. Write an article in about 120-150 words highlighting the exploitation of young minds that seek sincere counselling and proper direction. You are Mahesh/Mita a student of class XII of Indira Public school, Gwalior.

Coaching institutes Exploit Students

By Mita, Class XII

Coaching institutes have mushroomed in every nook and corner of a city over the past few years. These so called "temples of learning" are exploiting the young minds just for their financial gains. The misleading advertisements given by these institutes act as magnets to attract the innocent, inexperienced students, who are seeking sincere counseling and proper direction.

Most  private  tuition  centres  and  coaching  institutes  treat  students  just  as  commodities,  instead  of  providing them proper direction in their scholarly pursuits and giving them individual attention, they leave them to their fate. The counselor who is appointed to these institutes is assigned the task of filling the unpopular coaching programmes with more students so that the institution can maximize its profits, irrespective of whether that particular programme suits the students or not.

These Coaching Institutions take advantage of the ignorance of the illiterate parents by advising them to enroll their weak child in a "crash" course whereas he needs to join the long-term coaching programme for being successful in life. The sole purpose of these institutions is to fill their coffers with money, not to look into the well-being of these students, who are the future assets of the nation. These institutions are like the" termites" making the nation's future hollow.

The Education Department of the Government should be vigilant and stop these Coaching Institutes from exploiting the innocent students. Stringent laws should be enforced to stop these institutes from spreading their tentacles in the society. The guilty who are playing with the future of the students should be brought to task.

Practice Questions

1. “Grow more trees to reduce pollution.” Write an article in 120-150 words on the topic given above for your school magazine.
2. In many parts of our country girls are still discouraged from going to school. Consequently, a sizable section of the population is deprived of education. Schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, CBSE scholarship to the Single Girl Child and the Government‘s policy of giving free education to girls have come as a boon to our society. You are Raghav/Rohini. Write an article in 120-150 words on the education of the girl child in the country.
3. The construction sector is believed to be quite hazardous and has the maximum number of fatal work injuries because apart from other causes, stakeholders in this sector tend to ignore safety regulations. As a columnist for an e-magazine, draft an article in about 120-150 words, on the theme of the importance of worker safety in construction zones. Explore possible reasons for the prevailing situation and include suggestions for addressing it.
4. India is a land of diversity. One way in which it makes us feel proud of it is the number offestivals we enjoy. Write an article in 120-150 words on ‘Festivals of India’. You are Karuna/Karan.
5. By 2050, India will be amongst the countries which will face acute water shortage. You are highly alarmed and terrified of the future world without water. So, write an article on “Save Water-Are We Doing Enough?” for the local daily in 120-150 words.5.Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the country during the monsoon season laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness. The poor had to bear the brunt of the problem while no one was ever held accountable. Write an article in 150 –200 words on the common man’s woes during the monsoons and the need for accountability of the officials concerned. You are Sumit/Smita Verma.