ARTICLE WRITING

An article is an expression of one’s thought on an issue or a subject logically and coherently

written in meaningful paragraphs.

Points to Remember:

Give a title that catches the attention of the reader.

Begin with a striking opening sentence which addresses the readers and gets them interested in
the topic.

Present a strong argument for your ideas supporting it with evidence or elaboration.
Use linking devices (‘however’, ‘therefore’, ‘although’, ‘even though’, ‘in order to’) to make the
composition appear a whole.

Introduce a new point at the beginning of each paragraph that follows to strengthen your ideas.
Develop your ideas as much as you can to make them interesting and substantial.
Conclude with your strongest point.
Use passive voice, humour, emotive language, rhetorical questions to provide a specific effect.
Split-up of marks:

Marks will be awarded for:

Format (Title + Writer’s name)
Content (logical organization, relevance)
Expression (Accuracy + Fluency)
 ARTICLES FOR SCHOOL MAGAZINE
Question1:
Last week as you were coming back from school you happened to see a huge plastic bag full of
leftovers of food being flung into the middle of the road from a speeding car. You wondered how
people can be so devoid of civic sense. Write an article in 125-150 words on why we lack civic
sense and how civic sense can be inculcated in children at a very young age. You are
Shiva/Shamini.

Lack of Civic Sense

—Shamini

In the society, people of different types and different opinions live. They do not think for the
betterment of the society. They only think about themselves. They have become selfish and
narrow in their thought. In India, people hardly follow any rules. They have no respect for public
property. On railway platform, they do not follow any instructions. They spit anywhere or at any
place. They do not care for what they are doing. They even throw away the polythenes, water
bottle etc. on the platform. They lack civic sense. Inculcating a civic sense is the need of hour.
Parents must inculcate civic sense among children at an early age. The values of cleanliness,
discipline and tolerance must be inculcated among them. Parents must encourage their children
to keep their surroundings clean. All these things must be taught at an early age. They are the
future of the nation and they must take the responsibility of a responsible citizen.

Question 2:
You are Varshini. This year your school arranged a special cultural programme on the theme
‘Service and Sacrifice’ in commemoration of the International Year of Volunteers. Write an article
about this cultural programme for your school magazine in about 200 words.
Answer:

Service and Sacrifice

(by Varshini)

‘Service before self’, keeping this motto in mind, ABC School, Vikaspuri organised a cultural
programme in commemoration of the International Year of Volunteers. The programme
commenced with a prayer service followed by a special presentation by the Scouts and Guides
Cell of the school. The one-hour dance drama, ‘Service and Sacrifice’ depicted beautifully how
volunteers and cadets from the NCC deal with exigencies, risking their own lives.
In a heart-wrenching situation, a few people buried under the debris of a shattered building were
rescued by the volunteers, who, unmindful of their own wounds and injuries, spared no efforts
in saving their lives.
In an another situation, the panic-stricken people trapped on the twenty-second floor of a sky-
scraper, were saved by the fire personnel. These and many more. The special light and sound
effects and realistic sets added great colour to the programme.
The expressions showing tense moments, hustle-bustle, anxiety and panic were brought out
beautifully by the young and talented cadets of the school.
The audience sat spellbound as they were greatly touched by the pathos created by different
traumatic situations coupled with the noble sacrifice of the volunteers. They gave a standing
ovation to the participants reflecting their pleasure and appreciation. Eminent journalists were
the special guests. Speaking on the occasion, they expressed immense satisfaction and pleasure
at witnessing such a meaningful programme.
Congratulating the participants on their brilliant performance, she cited many more examples from
her life highlighting the importance of duty before self.
Finally, Dr B.P. Singhal, the Principal proposed the vote of thanks. The evening became a
memorable event for everybody.

Question 3:
Owning a car has become a status symbol these days. However, increase in the number of cars
has added to various types of pollution and other problems. Write an article in not more than 200
words highlighting the urgent need for reducing these man- made problems, giving suitable
suggestions. You are Vinod/Vidhi.

Answer:

Reducing Pollution
(by Vinod)

Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities in the country closely followed by Kolkata,
Chennai and Mumbai. This is because of the millions of vehicles that ply on the roads of Delhi.
Owning a car has become a status symbol. As a result the number of cars on the roads has
become manifold. This has resulted in numerous problems. The primary one is of traffic
congestion, traffic snarls and traffic-jams. Driving on the roads of Delhi has become a nightmare
and a health hazard.
Vehicles emit fumes and poisonous gases which is a serious health hazard. Delhi has witnessed
an increasing number of deaths among young children due to respiratory diseases caused
presumably due to pollution. Man-made traffic hazards are creating havoc for the populace. The
number of fatal accidents has also increased alarmingly. The Delhi Government has taken
measures to bring down the pollution level such as use of CNG buses and auto rickshaws. The
need of the hour is to support the government with public cooperation. Carpools should become
the norm rather than the exception. Improved public transport system, use of lead free fuel and
catalytic 1 converters will go a long way in easing the situation and creating a healthy city.
Every open space should be covered with green trees to create lungs in the city and help in
bringing back its glory.

Question 4:
You have been awarded a prize for doing the best social service under ‘Each one, teach one’
project. Write an article for a monthly magazine in not more than 200 words on ‘The Role of
Students in Removing Illiteracy’.
 Answer:

The Role of Students in Removing Illiteracy

-Ravi Bhargav

Illiteracy is a blot on the fair name of democracy in India. Although we have been celebrating
golden jubilee of Independence, most of the people living in the villages and slums are unable
to decipher what the leaders are talking about. The reason is obvious—they are illiterate. They
can’t read or write. Poverty, ignorance, and lack of opportunities have deprived them of the
fruits of literacy and knowledge. All know that education makes a man enlightened and perfect
and helps him to prosper physically, economically and spiritually. It broadens our outlook by
interaction with the masterminds and the geniuses of the age. Illiteracy is a real handicap in the
progress of a democratic society. Politicians and middlemen take advantage of these simple
people by misguiding them with false promises and rosy pictures. Illiteracy is the main cause
of their exploitation at the hands of those who are better off.

Students can play an effective role in removing the curse of illiteracy. They can organise
classes in groups by following the motto: ‘Each one, Teach one’. By sparing an hour a day,
they can take the lamp of knowledge and literacy to the darkest nook and comer of the country.
Their efforts must be supported by the government and non-government agencies. Follow-up
programmes are essential. We must initiate a continuous campaign against illiteracy.

Question 5:
Advertisements have become a big business. They are promoted by celebrities drawn from
various fields like films, sports, etc., leaving their influence on all people specially the young.
Write an article in 150-200 words on ‘The Impact of Advertisements on the younger generation’.
Answer:

Impact of Advertisements on the Younger Generation

Shubh Grewal

The advertisement industry has a tremendous impact on the younger generation. As citizens of the
modern world, advertisements have become a part of the daily lives of youngsters and they have
got used to being bombarded with numerous advertisements over the course of the day.
Advertisements have become so common for them that they often do not even realize that they are
hearing or viewing them. So they have a pervasive influence on the youth. In the ever- expanding
world of consumerism and advertising, companies are constantly looking for new ways to sell their
products to the youngsters by making their commercials and campaigns more memorable, to leave
an impact on their minds. The younger generation has become their prime target because they have
more spending power than ever before and increased avenues at their disposal. Therefore
companies spend enormous amounts of money to rope in popular film stars, cricketers, musicians
etc. to endorse their products.
This helps to ensure popularity and early brand loyalty. In the last decade many superbrands have
looked towards new and outrageous ways to capture young audiences through appealing campaigns
as these youngsters are cognitively and psychologically quite defenceless against advertisements.
Clearly, advertisements represent ‘big business’ and has a significant effect on young people who
need to be educated about the effects of advertising, that is, media literacy. This will prove to be
helpful in mitigating the harmful effects of advertising on youngsters.

Questions for practice

1. The present-day youth are greatly stressed due to cut-throat competition and consumerist
culture. Write an article in 150-200 words on the causes of the stress on the modem generation
suggesting suitable solutions.

2. As compared to the older generation the youth of today are greatly inclined to pursue
adventurous activities either for money or for
fun. There is a latest craze for joining reality shows, rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering etc.
Write an article in 150-200 words on which life you would prefer— safe or adventurous.

3. Compulsory value-based education is the only remedy for inculcating values among the future
citizens of the country. This will also help in the prevention of crime in the country. Write an article
in 150-200 words on the need of compulsory value-based education.

4. Corruption has become the order of the day. It has entered all walks of life. Write an article
for your school magazine in 150-200 words on ‘The Role of Youth in combating corruption’.
You are Vijay/Vineeta.

5. India is said to be a young country and is emerging as a global power. The youth is getting
increasingly concerned about the problems of corruption, environment, pollution, misuse of
natural resources, etc. Write an article in 150-200 words on your vision of India in 2040.