Notice Writing Class 12: Format, Model Notices and Marking Scheme

What Notice Writing is about

Weightage: Section B (Creative Writing Skills, 18 of the 80 theory marks): Q3, 4 marks (format 1, content 2, accuracy 1).Source: CBSE English Core (301) syllabus and sample paper 2026-27

In real board papers: asked in 2 of the 2 board papers we hold (2026 to 2026), on average 4 marks per paper. See the questions

Key concepts

Format of a notice

Inside a box, in this order:
1. Name of the institution or organisation (top centre), e.g. ABC Public School, Pune.
2. The word NOTICE (centre, capitals).
3. Date (left), e.g. 14 October 2026.
4. Heading / title (centre, capitals), stating the subject in a few words.
5. Body: the details (what, when, where, who, how, contact).
6. Name of the writer (signature optional), and designation (below the name, left side).

The format earns 1 mark; missing NOTICE, date, heading or designation can cost it.

Worked example

List the six format elements of a notice in order.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Organisation's name and place.
2. NOTICE.
3. Date.
4. Heading.
5. Body.
6. Name and designation.

Answer: Organisation, NOTICE, date, heading, body, name with designation (all in a box).

Content: the essential details

The 2 content marks go for including all the details the question asks for, and the obvious ones it does not:

• What: event or purpose.
• When: date, day and time.
• Where: venue.
• Who: eligibility (classes, age, residents of a block).
• How: registration method, last date, fee if any, what to bring.
• Contact: name or office for queries.

Pick only what is needed; a notice is not an essay.

Worked example

A school is holding a blood donation camp. Which details must the notice contain?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. What and why: blood donation camp, with a partner hospital if given.
2. When and where: date, time, venue.
3. Who: eligible donors (staff, parents, students above 18).
4. How: register with a named teacher by a last date.

Answer: Event, date, time, venue, eligibility, registration process with last date, contact person.

Language and style

• Use formal, impersonal language: 'All students are informed...', 'Residents are requested...'.
• Prefer short sentences and the passive where natural.
• Avoid personal pronouns like 'I' and 'you' except in 'Contact the undersigned'.
• Write numbers and dates clearly: 'Saturday, 21 November 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.'
• Do not add greetings ('Dear students') or sign-offs ('Thank you').
• Keep within about 50 words in the body; going far beyond loses expression marks.

Worked example

Rewrite in notice style: 'Hey everyone, we are going to have a cool quiz on Friday, so please come!'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Remove informal words ('Hey', 'cool').
2. Use impersonal, formal phrasing.
3. Add the needed detail.

Answer: 'An inter-house quiz will be held on Friday, 20 November 2026, in the school auditorium at 11 a.m. Interested students may register with the undersigned.'

Kinds of notices

1. Event announcement: workshop, seminar, competition, exhibition, camp, webinar.
2. Invitation to participate or contribute: articles for the school magazine, volunteers for a drive.
3. Information or change: change of timings, venue, rescheduled exam, water supply cut.
4. Lost and found.
5. Instruction or appeal: wear ID cards, keep the campus clean, donate books.

The structure stays the same; only the details change.

Worked example

Which kind of notice is this: 'Students who found a blue water bottle with a name sticker near the library are requested to deposit it at the reception'?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. It asks the finder of an item to return it.

Answer: A lost and found notice.

Word limit and the box

• The syllabus says 'up to 50 words'; the paper says 'about 50 words'. Aim for 45-55 words in the body; the format lines (name, NOTICE, date, heading, designation) are not counted strictly, but do not pad them.
• Always draw a box around the notice; it is part of the conventional format.
• Do not write the question or extra explanations inside the box.

Worked example

A student writes a 110-word notice with a long introduction about the importance of the event. What is wrong?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Word limit is about 50 words.
2. Notices give facts, not essays.

Answer: It is far too long and essay-like; cut the introduction to one line and keep only essential details.

Notice Writing in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Topics in this chapter

• Event Notices for School and Society (50 Words)

Notice Writing: key facts

Marking scheme

Format 1 + Content 2 + Accuracy 1 = 4

CBSE English Core (301), Q3.

Format order

1. 1.Organisation
2. 2.NOTICE
3. 3.Date
4. 4.Heading
5. 5.Body
6. 6.Name, Designation (in a box)

Date on the left; heading in capitals.

Content checklist

What, When, Where, Who, How (register), Contact

Add any detail the question gives.

Word limit

About 50 words in the body

Format lines are extra but keep them short.

How the board asks Notice Writing

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember Notice Writing

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

• Format: 'O N D H B N'

  Organisation, NOTICE, Date, Heading, Body, Name and designation: 'Only Nice Days Have Bright Nights'.

  Use it when: Writing the format in order.

• Content: '5W + H + C'

  What, When, Where, Who, Why (if needed) + How (to register) + Contact.

  Use it when: Checking the body.

• Box it

  A notice without a box looks like a paragraph: always box it.

  Use it when: Presentation.

Notice Writing: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is marked: the value points the examiner looks for and the marks each earns.

Where students lose marks in Notice Writing

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

• ✗Mistake: Missing the word NOTICE, the date or the designation

  Students rush to the body.

  ✓Do this: Write the format lines first, then the body.

  Usually costs: The format mark (1).

• ✗Mistake: Writing a letter-style greeting and closing

  Wrong working

  Dear students, ... Thank you. Yours sincerely,

  Right working

  All students are informed that ... (no greeting); end with name and designation.

  ✓Do this: Notices are impersonal announcements, not letters.

  Usually costs: Format and expression marks.

• ✗Mistake: Leaving out key details such as time, venue or last date

  ✓Do this: Tick off What, When, Where, Who, How before finishing.

  Usually costs: Up to 1 content mark.

• ✗Mistake: Exceeding the word limit with explanations

  ✓Do this: Keep one line of purpose; give facts only.

  Usually costs: Expression and accuracy.

• ✗Mistake: Using a different name from the one given

  ✓Do this: Use exactly the name and role in the question (or a neutral name if allowed).

  Usually costs: Format mark.

Notice Writing: previous year questions

• Asked in 2 of the 2 board papers we hold (2026 to 2026), on average 4 marks per paper; 4 questions in all, counting OR alternatives. In 3 of 3 sample papers.

Counted from the real papers on our previous year papers page, not estimated. Average marks are over every board paper we hold, with an OR pair counted once. Chapter tags are ours.

Every Notice Writing question, by year

Practice questions on Notice Writing

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

1. Q1 · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

   You are Ishaan/Isha, Head of the Eco Club, Holy Cross School, Kochi. Write a notice in about 50 words informing students about a tree-plantation drive in the school neighbourhood.

   Hint

   Date, time, meeting point, what to bring, register.

   Answer

   Model points: school name, NOTICE, date, heading 'TREE PLANTATION DRIVE'; drive for Classes VIII-XII; date, time, meeting point (school gate); saplings provided; bring gloves and water bottle; register with the undersigned by a date; Isha, Head, Eco Club.

2. Q2 · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

   As the Secretary of the Literary Society of your school, draft a notice in about 50 words for an inter-house debate on 'Social Media: Boon or Bane'.

   Hint

   Two speakers per house.

   Answer

   Model points: school, NOTICE, date, heading 'INTER-HOUSE DEBATE'; topic; date, time, venue; two participants per house, one for and one against; time limit per speaker; names to the undersigned by a last date; name, Secretary, Literary Society.

3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

   You found a calculator in the chemistry lab. As Student Council member Aditi/Aditya, write a 'found' notice in about 50 words.

   Hint

   Do not give all identifying details.

   Answer

   Model points: school, NOTICE, date, heading 'FOUND'; a scientific calculator found in the chemistry lab on a date; owner may collect it from the undersigned after giving its make and identifying marks, during recess; name, Member, Student Council.

4. Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

   You are Meera/Manav, Secretary of Lakeview Apartments RWA, Bhopal. Water supply will be suspended for a day for tank cleaning. Write a notice in about 50 words.

   Hint

   Date, hours, reason, advice to store water.

   Answer

   Model points: RWA name, NOTICE, date, heading 'SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY'; on a date from a time to a time; reason (cleaning of overhead tanks); residents advised to store water; inconvenience regretted; contact the RWA office; name, Secretary.

5. Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   Your school is holding a webinar for parents on 'Helping Teens Manage Exam Stress'. As Coordinator, Counselling Cell, write a notice in about 50 words. Include the online platform and how to receive the link.

   Hint

   Online details instead of a venue.

   Answer

   Model points: school, NOTICE, date, heading 'WEBINAR FOR PARENTS ON EXAM STRESS'; resource person (a counsellor); date and time; online platform; link to be shared on registered email/WhatsApp after registering through a form by a last date; contact the Counselling Cell; name, Coordinator.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1. 1.How many marks does the notice carry, and how are they split?Show answer

   4 marks: format 1, content 2, accuracy 1.

2. 2.What is the word limit?Show answer

   Up to (about) 50 words.

3. 3.Where is the date written?Show answer

   Below NOTICE, on the left.

4. 4.Should a notice have a greeting?Show answer

   No.

5. 5.What goes at the end?Show answer

   The writer's name and designation.

6. 6.What voice is common in notices?Show answer

   The passive voice, e.g. 'Students are informed...'

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐Can you write the six format elements in order?
• ☐Can you list the content checklist (5W + H + contact)?
• ☐Can you keep the body to about 50 words?
• ☐Can you write in a formal, impersonal style?
• ☐Do you always draw a box?

Notice Writing: frequently asked questions