ISC Class 11 Proposal Writing: The CISCE Format, Step by Step

What Proposal Writing is about

Weightage: Question 2(b): one proposal, about 150 words in the board papers, 10 of the 80 marks of Paper I. With directed writing the specimen advises not more than 55 minutes for Question 2, so about 20 minutes for the proposal.Source: CISCE ISC 2028 English (801) syllabus, Question Two (b); ISC Specimen Question Paper 2025 with answer key

Key concepts

Title: centred, about 5-6 words

The title names the plan, sits in the centre of the line and runs to about five or six words. It is not a sentence and does not name you. Good titles: 'Proposal for a School Kitchen Garden', 'Starting a Junior Astronomy Club'.

Worked example

Write a title for a proposal to set up a lost-and-found counter in your school.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Name the plan.
2. Keep to about five or six words.
3. Centre it.

Answer: 'Proposal for a Lost-and-Found Counter' (centred, five words).

Introduction: two sentences carrying two points from the question

At most two sentences. The examiners expected 'two key points in the Introduction', and in 2025 'some candidates included only one point from the question in the Introduction, resulting in deduction of marks'. Sentence 1: who proposes what (from the question). Sentence 2: the purpose or occasion, with a glimpse of the benefit.

Worked example

Situation: 'As Secretary of the Eco Club, you want to set up a kitchen garden on unused land behind the school canteen.' Write the introduction.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Point 1: the Eco Club Secretary proposes a kitchen garden.
2. Point 2: on unused land behind the canteen, with its benefit.

Answer: 'As Secretary of the Eco Club, I propose to set up a kitchen garden on the unused land behind the school canteen. It will turn a neglected space into a source of fresh vegetables and practical learning.'

Objectives: WHY, written as a paragraph

At least two distinct reasons, in a paragraph, not bullets, and different from what the introduction already said. Objectives may be benefits to the participants or to the institution. They never contain arrangements: 'list of measures will not be accepted in the Objectives' (2025 scheme). Begin with 'The proposal aims to...' or 'The club seeks to...'.

Worked example

Write the objectives paragraph for the kitchen garden proposal.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Reason 1 (for students): learning where food comes from; hands-on biology.
2. Reason 2 (for the institution or community): fresh produce for the canteen; less waste through composting.
3. Write as two connected sentences.

Answer: 'The garden aims to give students first-hand experience of how food is grown, linking their biology lessons to real soil and seasons. It also seeks to supply the canteen with fresh, chemical-free vegetables and to reduce waste by composting kitchen scraps.'

List of measures: HOW, at least four bullets with 'may'

A coherent plan of action covering where, when, what, who and how (including money). Each bullet is a complete sentence; the examiners penalised 'incomplete sentences, single words, or phrases'. Use 'may' for every arrangement, because the head of the institution decides. Four or five measures are enough; more wastes words.

Worked example

Write four measures for the kitchen garden.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Where and what: beds on the plot; seasonal vegetables.
2. Who: volunteers from Classes 9 to 11 under a biology teacher.
3. When: a rota for watering and weekend sessions.
4. How (money): seeds and tools from a small grant or donations.

Answer: • The plot may be divided into six raised beds for seasonal vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes and beans.
• Twenty volunteers from Classes 9 to 11 may tend the garden under the guidance of a biology teacher.
• A weekly rota may be drawn up for watering, with longer sessions on alternate Saturdays.
• Seeds, tools and a compost pit may be funded through the Eco Club budget and donations from parents.

Conclusion: one polite line

One sentence requesting approval. The 2025 scheme says it 'need not end with We propose / We hope'. Do not add a 'Benefits' section or a closing paragraph; the examiners reported candidates who used 'Headers and Benefits as subheadings', which 'deviated from the expected structure'.

Worked example

Write the conclusion for the kitchen garden proposal.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. One sentence.
2. A polite request to the Principal.

Answer: 'I request you to kindly approve this proposal so that the first sowing can be done before the monsoon.'

Length and linguistic ability

About 150 words: roughly title 5, introduction 15-30 (the specimen key suggests about 10 to 15 words, in at most two sentences), objectives 35, measures 65, conclusion 15. The syllabus says 'The candidates will also be marked on linguistic ability', so the language must be formal, polite and error-free. Avoid contractions and slang.

Worked example

A student's draft runs to 230 words with six objectives and eight measures. What should she change?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. The question asks for about 150 words.
2. Two or three objectives and four or five measures meet the format.
3. Cut repeated or minor items.

Answer: Keep the two strongest objectives and the five most essential measures; the format rewards completeness of the structure, not the number of points.

Proposal 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

• Objectives and the List of Measures in a Proposal

How the school exam asks Proposal Writing

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

Tricks to remember Proposal Writing

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

• T-I-O-M-C

  Title, Introduction, Objectives, Measures, Conclusion: 'The Idea Of My Club'.

  Use it when: Write the five labels down the page before you begin.

• 2-2-4-1

  Introduction up to 2 sentences; at least 2 objectives; at least 4 measures; 1-line conclusion.

  Use it when: A final check of each section.

• Paragraph for why, bullets for how

  Objectives (why) are a paragraph; measures (how) are bullets.

  Use it when: Prevents the two commonest format errors.

Proposal Writing: exam-level solved questions

Ordered from exam 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 Proposal Writing

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

• ✗Mistake: Interchanging objectives and measures

  Both are about the plan. The 2025 examiners: 'Others mistakenly interchanged the List of Measures and Objectives, losing marks in both sections.'

  Wrong working

  Objectives: 'Collection boxes will be kept at the gate. Volunteers will sort clothes.'

  Right working

  Objectives: 'The drive aims to make students aware of the hardships of their neighbours and to put unused clothes to meaningful use.'

  ✓Do this: Ask of each sentence: WHY (objective) or HOW (measure)?

  Usually costs: Marks in both sections.

• ✗Mistake: Only one point from the question in the introduction

  Students write a generic opening. The examiners deducted marks where candidates 'included only one point from the question in the Introduction'.

  Wrong working

  'I want to start a club.'

  Right working

  'As a student of Class 11, I propose to start an Astronomy Club in our school. It will give students a chance to explore the night sky beyond the textbook.'

  ✓Do this: Lift two key points from the question into two sentences.

  Usually costs: Part of the introduction mark.

• ✗Mistake: Phrases instead of complete sentences

  Bullets look like notes. 'The use of incomplete sentences, single words, or phrases instead of well-structured points resulted in loss of marks' (2025).

  Wrong working

  • Saturday • Hall • Volunteers

  Right working

  • The fair may be held in the assembly hall on Saturday, 10 February.

  ✓Do this: Every bullet needs a subject and a verb, ideally 'may'.

  Usually costs: Measures and linguistic-ability marks.

• ✗Mistake: Adding 'Benefits' or other headers

  Formats from other boards or business writing creep in. Candidates used 'Headers and Benefits as subheadings, which deviated from the expected structure' (2025).

  ✓Do this: Use only Title, Introduction, Objectives, List of measures and Conclusion, as in the format on the CISCE website.

  Usually costs: Format marks.

• ✗Mistake: Objectives in bullet points

  Students assume every section is a list. The specimen key: objectives 'should be written in the form of a paragraph, not point-wise'.

  ✓Do this: Write the objectives as two or three connected sentences.

  Usually costs: Part of the objectives mark.

Practice questions on Proposal 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 · 10 marks · Long answerExam level

   As the Secretary of the Literary Society, write a proposal in about 150 words to organise a Book Fair in your school.

   Hint

   Title, two-sentence introduction, two objectives in a paragraph, four or more measures with 'may', one-line conclusion.

   Answer

   Model outline: Title 'Proposal for a School Book Fair'. Introduction: the Literary Society proposes a three-day book fair; it will bring good books within easy reach of students. Objectives (paragraph): to encourage the reading habit; to raise funds for the school library through a small commission. Measures: publishers may be invited to set up stalls in the assembly hall; the fair may run from 10 to 12 February; volunteers may manage billing and crowd flow; each class may visit at a fixed time; a book-reading session may be held each afternoon. Conclusion: a polite request for approval.

2. Q2 · 10 marks · Long answerHarder exam level

   As a member of the Student Council, write a proposal in about 150 words to set up a 'Silent Reading Period' of twenty minutes every day in your school.

   Hint

   Measures must answer when, where, what is read, who supervises, and how books are provided.

   Answer

   Expected: centred title; introduction (the Council's proposal; twenty minutes daily); objectives as a paragraph (improve concentration and vocabulary; reduce screen time); measures (the first twenty minutes after lunch may be set aside; students may read any book or magazine except textbooks; class teachers may supervise; a class library shelf may be stocked through donations; a monthly 'book talk' may be held); a one-line request.

3. Q3 · 10 marks · Long answerHarder exam level

   You are the captain of your school's football team. Write a proposal in about 150 words to organise free weekend football coaching for children of the school's support staff.

   Hint

   Objectives should benefit the children and the team. Think of safety, equipment and timing.

   Answer

   Expected: introduction (captain's proposal; free coaching for the children of the support staff); objectives (healthy recreation and confidence for the children; leadership and service for the team members) as a paragraph; measures (sessions on Sunday mornings on the school ground; team members may coach in pairs under the games teacher; balls and bibs from the sports department; first-aid kit and drinking water arranged; a friendly match at the end of the term); one-line conclusion.

4. Q4 · 10 marks · Long answerExam level

   Write a proposal in about 150 words, as Head Boy, to reduce food waste in the school canteen.

   Hint

   The steps to reduce waste are measures, not objectives.

   Answer

   Expected: title; introduction (the Head Boy's proposal to cut canteen food waste; its benefit); objectives (teach respect for food; save money for the canteen) as a paragraph; at least four measures (smaller default portions with free second helpings; a weekly waste-weighing chart displayed in the canteen; leftover food donated through a partner organisation; posters and an assembly talk; compost from scraps for the school garden); one-line request.

5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   A proposal's introduction reads: 'Proposal. We want to do something about plastic.' Using the CISCE key and the 2025 examiners' comments, list the faults and rewrite it for this question: 'As President of the Interact Club, you wish to make your school's annual sports meet plastic-free.'

   Hint

   How many points from the question should the introduction carry?

   Answer

   Faults: it is vague, carries no clear point from the question (who is proposing; the sports meet), and gives no glimpse of the benefit; the examiners deducted marks when the introduction had only one point from the question. Rewrite: 'As President of the Interact Club, I propose to make our annual sports meet completely plastic-free. The initiative will show how a large school event can protect the environment.'

6. Q6 · 2 marks · Short answerHarder exam level

   Explain why the CISCE key asks candidates to write 'may' in the list of measures, and rewrite this measure accordingly: 'All classes will be cancelled on Friday for the cleanliness drive.'

   Hint

   Who makes the final decision?

   Answer

   The key says the final decision is made by the head of the institution, so a proposal suggests rather than orders. Rewrite: 'Classes may be suspended for the last two periods on Friday for the cleanliness drive, if you approve.'

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.What does the 2028 syllabus require a proposal to include?Show answer

   An introduction/heading, objectives, a list of measures, and a concluding statement, in the format prescribed by CISCE.

2. 2.How long should the title be, and where is it placed?Show answer

   About 5-6 words, centre-aligned.

3. 3.How many measures are required?Show answer

   At least four, as bulleted complete sentences, preferably using 'may'.

4. 4.How should objectives be written?Show answer

   As a paragraph with at least two distinct reasons, different from the introduction and with no measures.

5. 5.Does the conclusion have to begin 'We propose' or 'We hope'?Show answer

   No. It is one polite line requesting approval.

Quick revision checklist

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

• ☐Can you write the five sections of the CISCE proposal from memory?
• ☐Can you put two points from the question into a two-sentence introduction?
• ☐Can you tell an objective from a measure instantly?
• ☐Can you write four 'may' measures covering where, when, what, who and how?
• ☐Can you finish a 150-word proposal in about 20 minutes?

Proposal Writing: frequently asked questions