Mastering Writing Skills: Posters and Letters to the Editor for 10th English

Writing (Posters) - Posters, Draft Letters

Posters

What is a poster?

Posters are placards displayed in a public place announcing or advertising something. Posters are notices, advertisements and invitations – all in one.

What is the purpose of a Poster?

It is to create social awareness about current problems and needs, or to advertise or invite and display something.

Layout of a poster

• It should be attractive, colourful and tempting
• The title should be catchy
• Slogans or jingles should be used
• Sketches or simple drawings may be used
• Letters may be of different sizes and shapes
• Proper spacing should be given

Content of a poster

• The theme or subject
• Descriptions along with it
• Essentials like time, date, venue etc. to be given, in case of an event
• Names of issuing authority/ organisation to be given

Expression of Poster

• Slogans/ phrases can be used
• Sequencing to be correct
• Creativity to be appreciated

Example 1:

You are Vikram/ Vikasini. Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library to highlight the value of books and reading habits. You may use good slogans/ phrases.

Example 2:

You are Ajay/ Aruna. You are contesting for the post of the School Pupil Leader of the Student Council of your school. Design a poster in not more than 50 words to impress your friends as to why they should vote for you. You may use good slogans/ phrases.

I. Create posters for following

1. You are Raja/ Ranjani. Draft a poster to create awareness about the harmful effects of using plastics, in not more than 50 words

2. Say ‘No to Drugs’ – Design a poster for it in not more than 50 words. You may use slogans/ phrases.

3. “Save our Earth” is the need of the hour. Draft a poster with attractive slogans/ phrases for the same in not more than 50 words. Use attractive drawings.

4. You are Sita/ Sudhan. Design a poster in not more than 50 words to focus on not wasting water. Be creative.

5. Good handwriting is the index of an individual. Design a poster on the importance of good handwriting. Use catchy slogans or phrases. Your poster should not exceed 50 words.

Letter To Editor

This is a formal type of letter.

The format is as follows:

• Sender’s address
• Date
• Receiver’s address
• Salutation (Sir / Madam)
• Subject
• Main body of the letter
• Subscriptions (Yours faithfully)
• Signature
• Designation

Main body of the letter

• Introductory paragraph – stating the problem
• 2nd paragraph – stating the causes of the problem (at least two)
• 3rd paragraph – stating the effects (at least two)
• 4th paragraph – suggestions or remedial measures (at least two)
• Concluding paragraph – the benefits and need for resolving the problem (each paragraph can be of just two or three sentences)

Some useful expressions

• Through the esteemed columns of your daily/ newspaper, I wish to bring to your kind notice ____
• In my opinion
• This is a very shocking/ disturbing use of ____

Example 1:

You are Raja. You are upset about the bad influence of TV channels on the young children. You decide to write a letter to the editor of a leading newspaper suggesting measures to upgrade the standard. Write this formal letter in about 100-120 words.

2, Sundar Court

Egmore

Chennai

23.8.2018

The Editor

The Hindu

ABC Road

Chennai – 600002

Sir,

Sub. : Negative influence of TV channels

Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I wish to bring about a public awareness on the negative influence of TV channels on young children.

Children spend the evening watching channels that instigate only negative thoughts in their minds.

They are unwilling to go out and play in the fresh air. These depictions spoil their minds and negate their character.

Television is an effective social media and also a powerful tool for communication; it should telecast more and more value based programmes that would impress the children.

I humbly request you to publish this letter so that television channels improve their standard of telecast.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Raja

Example 2:

You are Gomathi, a resident of a colony adjacent to the Thamirabarani River. Daily you see many people throwing waste into it, spoiling the pure water. Write a letter to a newspaper showing your concern about it and also voicing your worry. Give your suggestion to solve this problem.

1, Salai Street

Selvi Nagar

Thirunelveli

23.8.18

The Editor

The Thanthi

PQR Road

Thirunelveli

Sir,

Sub. : Stop polluting the Thamirabarani River

Through your daily, I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned the pollution of the Thamirabarani river.

It is sad to note that people residing in and around the river bed, throw all their waste or dump garbage into the river water. It has also been observed that they throw plastic bags too.

Though dustbins and containers have been provided there, the public do not make use of it.

Through this letter, let me appeal to the public that they need to keep the river clean and not pollute it. I appeal to the authorities to take the necessary action to prevent this from happening in the future.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Gomathi

J. Draft Letters for the following

1. You are Ajeet, living in a remote village in Tirunelveli. You participated in a health camp organised by your school. You were surprised to observe that most of the residents were unaware of health and hygiene. As a concerned citizen, write a letter to the editor stating the need to organise such camps focusing on the importance of health and hygiene.

Ajeet,

123, Sree Nagar,

Perur.

Tirunelveli.

23.8.2018

The Editor

The Hindu

ABC Road

Tirunelveli-627001.

Sir,

Sub: Awareness about the Importance of health and hygiene.

I am Ajeet, living in Perur village in Tirunelveli. I have participated in a health camp organized by my school. I was shocked to observe that most of the residents were unaware of health and hygiene near our village.

Generally, these people don’t use toilets here. They use open areas. It leads to the spread of major diseases. They don’t know how to wash hands. They are not aware of personal hygiene. There is a great need to organise such camps focussing on the importance of health and hygiene in these areas. The authorities should conduct awareness programmes like Street plays, meetings and short films on personal and public hygiene. Government should use mass media for this cause.

Since a nation’s power mainly relies on its human power, it is the Government’s duty to keep its every citizen healthy and strong.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Ajeet

2. You are Sanjay. Your colony utilises solar energy to light the common areas. You find many friends of your colony forgetting to switch off the lights in the common area. As a responsible citizen, write a letter to a newspaper, echoing the importance to conserve and preserve solar energy.

Sanjay,

Paramasivapuram

Lalgudi

23.8.18

The Editor

The Times of India

Trichy-620002.

Sir,

Sub: Importance of conserving and preserving solar energy.

Through your daily, I like to bring to the notice of the persons who misuse solar energy & the importance to conserve and preserve it.

I am Sanjay. Our colony utilises solar energy to light the common areas. But Many friends of our colony are forget to switch off the lights in the common area in the morning. Unnecessarily we waste the solar energy. We assign a team of volunteers to tackle this issue.

Now-a-days most of the people want to instal solar panels at their home. Installing solar panels in your home is a great way to lower the electricity bill even negate electricity bills can be enjoyed in solar home. But we should also conserve that energy. Here I have some energy saving tips for solar homes.

• Unplug your appliances when not in use.

• Use energy efficient appliances.

• Use LED light bulbs.

• Insulate your home properly.

• Plant shrubs and trees nearby.

• Reduce daytime energy use.

As a responsible citizen, every one should take steps to conserve and preserve solar energy.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Sanjay

3. You are Sadasivam. You recently visited your native town in Vellore. You happened to accompany your grandmother to your family temple. You were shocked to notice the poor condition and maintenance of the temple. Write a letter to the Editor of local newspaper highlighting the poor condition of the temple. Also give some suggestions and request the HRC to take steps to improve the situation.

Note: HRC - HR & CE - hindu religious and charitable endowments

Sadasivam,

123, Kamarajar nagar

Kancheepuram

23.8.2018

The Editor

The New Indian Express

ABC road

Vellore-632001.

Sir,

Sub: Poor condition of the temple.

Through your daily, I like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned the poor condition of the temples in Vellore.

I am Sadasivam. I have recently visited the XYZ temple in Vellore. I was shocked to notice the poor condition and maintenance of the temple. The walls and pillars of the temple are damaged. People spit beetle juices here and there.

There is no proper light facilities. No one takes care of it. People are throwing waste in and around the temple. The sculptures are not well maintained. The tourists hesitate to enter the temple.

HR and CE department should take necessary steps to renovate the damaged parts of the temple. There must be fencing around the temple. Steps like installation of CCTV cameras, putting guards on duty to maintain proper cleanliness should be taken.

I request you to publish this news through the columns of your esteemed daily. I also appeal to the HR and CE to look into the problem and do the needful.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Sadasivam

4. You are Sudha. Your neighbour has a pet dog that barks continuously. Write a letter to the Editor of a weekly newspaper of your locality, highlighting the nuisance and noise pollution created thus. Also suggest ways to solve the problem.

Sudha,

ABC road

Coimbatore

23.8.2018

The Editor

CBE News

ABC road

Coimbatore-641001.

Sir,

Sub: Nuisance caused by a pet dog.

Through the esteemed columns of your weekly newspaper, I wish to bring about the noise pollution and the negative influences of it in our area.

I am Sudha. My neighbour has a pet dog that barks continuously. It causes a great nuisance not only to us but also the people who walk along the road. It barks continuously at the people walking in the street. Noone could sleep peacefully. The students are not able to study their lessons. The noise pollution disturbs the patients in our locality. They suffer a lot.

I think the dog is not properly maintained and trained by its owners. The owners of the dog should vaccinate the dog at proper intervals. They have to feed it at correct time. They should allow it to roam a few hours daily. Kindly instruct them to train their dog well. Otherwise keep their dog off from our area and reduce the noise pollution.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Sudha.

5. You are Raja. The street lights of your area do not work properly. As a responsible citizen, write a letter to the newspaper enlightening them about the problem and also suggest ways to brighten the area.

Raja,

Dhilip street, Sathyamangalam.

23.8.2018

The Editor

The Hindu

ABC road

Vellore-632001.

Sir,

Sub: Bad condition of the street lights

Through your daily, I like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned the bad condition of the street lights in Vellore.

I am Raja. The street lights of my area do not work properly. After it gets dark, moving on the streets is risky. People suffer a lot. Chain snatching and accidents take place every now and then. And also the other anti-social activities are increasing. I appeal to the concerned authorities in the municipal corporation to look into the matter and make the street lights functional again.

I hope you will give space to my voice in your esteemed daily.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Raja