Writing for Competitive Exams

 

Module III (A)

Writing for Competitive Exams

·         Official/Formal Letters:

i. Correct format must be used.

ii. There should not be grammatical or spelling mistakes.

iii. Colloquial language (बोली भाषा) should be avoided.

·         Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam; Respected Sir/Madam

·         Complimentary close: Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely

·         Enclosures: CV (In case of an application letter)

     Example: Application for the post of a computer operator

    Satish Desai

    39, 'Shrifal' 

    Main road,

    Radhanagari

    Date: 20/10/2024

    To,

    The Manager,

    Snehal Infotech,

    Kolhapur

    Sub: Application for the post of computer operator...    

    Sir/Madam,

     With reference to your advertisement published in daily Sakal, I would like to apply for the post of computer operator in your company. 

    I completed my graduation (BA) from Shivaji University, Kolhapur in 2023. I have also completed a full-time course in computer application. 

    I am a fresher and don't have any experience. But given an opportunity to work with you, I will prove my best. Anticipating your reply. 

    My CV is attached herein. 

    Thanking you,

    Yours sincerely,

    Satish Desai

 

·       Informal letters:

·         Informal letters are also known as Personal Letters or Friendly Letters.

·         Its main purpose is personal communication.

·         Colloquial language is accepted in informal letters.

 

·         Condolence Letter (सांत्वनपर पत्र):

·         It is written to a person who has lost his/her close relative or a loved one.

    Example:

    Satish Desai

    Radhanagri

    20/10/2024

    Dear Mahesh,

    I learned about your father's sad news in a newspaper. I am very sorry about that. May his soul rest in peace! May God give you the courage to face the reality.

    I can understand that the role of the father in our life is very important. Father shapes our life. He stands with us in all the situations. But who can escape from death? We must accept the fact. 

    Take care and look after your mother. Time alone will heal all the wounds. God bless you!

    Your friend,

    Satish

 

·         Type of Essays:

·         Reflective or Expository Essay: It consists of thoughts or explanatory ideas on various subjects. (e.g. “Truth and Justice”, “Indian Democracy”)

·         Narrative Essay: It consists of a description an event that took place in the past. (e.g. “The Memorable Day in My Life”)

·         Imaginative Essay: In such essay, the writer imagines to be in a place or an object. (e.g. “If I were the prime minister of India”)

 

·         Précis Writing: (प्रेसि रायटिंग)

·         Précis writing is like summarising. However …..(प्रेसि रायटिंग हे समरी रायटिंगसारखेच असते. परंतु...)

·         Précis is exact one third of the given passage. In summarising there is no such limit.

·         In summary, you can add your comments. In précis, you don’t have such freedom.

·         In précis, you are not allowed to omit important facts.

·         Précis should be written with clarity and understanding.

·         Précis should have a logical order, i.e. coherence.

·         Repetitions should be avoided in précis.

·         Précis should be written in third person narration.