SSC CGL Tier 3 Descriptive Paper – Important Tips

LETTER WRITING

Two types of letters are generally asked in descriptive paper of competitive exams.
1. Formal letters: Letters written to bank manager, a company, government officials, editor of a newspaper, member of a political party, business partner, employee, etc.
2. Informal letters: Letters written to a relative, parents, brother or sister, a friend, a teacher/mentor (thanksgiving).

What is a Formal Letter?
Any kind of communication that is official can be carried out by sending a formal letter. There are many types of letters that are written for formal purposes. Some of them are as follows:
Recommendation letter,
Apology letter,
Job application letter,
Invitation letter,
Enquiry letter,
Complaint letter,
Letter to editor, etc.

Steps Involved in Writing a Formal Letter

  • Sender’s address
  • Date
  • Recipient’s address
  • Subject
  • Salutation
  • Body of the letter
    • The introductory paragraph
    • The main body
    • The concluding paragraph
  • Signing off

 

USEFUL LETTER WRITING AIDS

Salutation
There are a few things that you should know about in terms of addressing someone properly in an informal letter.
-Men are addressed as ―Mr.
-Women are addressed as ―Mrs. if they are married and, with ―Ms. when they are not.

Opening Phrases
-How are you?
-I hope you are in a good health.
-How have you been?
-I came to know about…
-How is life treating you?
-I was happy to hear about…
-How are the kids?
-I hope you are doing great
-I hope you, Mom, and Meera are having a great time.

Conclusion
-I am looking forward to seeing you.
-I dedicate my success to you.
-I can’t wait to see you soon.
-Send me a detailed reply.
-I can’t wait to hear from you.
-I am looking forward to hearing from you.
-See you soon.
-Revert as soon as possible.
-Send my love to…
-I hope you are doing well.
-Good luck…
-Give my regards to…

Complementary close
-best wishes,
-Yours sincerely,
-Yours obediently, (can be used for Thanksgiving letter to teachers/mentors)
-Kindly,
-Yours truly,
-Thanking you,
-Kind regards,
-Best regards,
-Lots of love,
-Love,

Informal Letter Writing ?

  • Personal Letter/ Expression of Concern

EXAMPLE -Write a Letter to a friend, about the futility of exploding crackers on Deepawali (Diwali).

91, Ganeshpuri
Mumbai

12th October 2020

Dear Ravina,
I wish you a very Happy Diwali in advance! As you know that the festival of Diwali is here, so, I decided to make the people conscious of the imprudence of using crackers on Diwali.

I do not find any reason for wasting so much money on exploding crackers, which not only pollute the atmosphere but also cause an outbreak of fire many times. Some people are wasting money in exploding crackers and others don‘t have sufficient food to eat and clothes to cover their bodies.

So, I have decided to collect rupees fifty from every house to distribute sweets and clothes to the poor and celebrate the festival more meaningfully. Tell me about your opinion on celebrating Diwali in this way.

Convey my regards to your parents.

Yours lovingly,
Rekha

 

ESSAY WRITING

Essay is any literary piece of work which is mainly based on facts that deals with its theme from a limited and often personal point of view. It is a systematic, methodical, and an analytical composition that is usually much shorter and less formal than a dissertation or thesis.
An essay is an essential part of Descriptive Paper of any competitive exam, be it an SSC, Bank, Insurance exam or a UPSC level exam. It is a long composition that can be asked on any topic, especially on the topics related to current issues, or the issues that are drawing everybody‘s attention.

READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY
You must examine the question meticulously to make sure you answer what is asked. Generally the essay questions have some direction words that give a hint about what is wanted in the essay, such as compare, describe, explain, argue, discuss, critique, etc. These words are actually the task words that help you identify the task that needs to be done. Highlight the key words and identify the topic words that indicate what the whole essay is going to be about.

 

How to Write An Essay.

Introduction Paragraph:

Give a brief punchy statement which intends to grab the examiner‘s attention and make him/her want to continue to read your essay.
Support your statement by a few arguments that leave no doubt in the examiner‘s mind about which side you are on from the beginning of your essay.

  • Give examples to support your arguments

Make sure that your introduction gives the examiner a clear understanding of what your essay is about and tells him/her what to expect in the paragraphs to come.

  • Give the reader the best first impression possible.
  • Avoid personal pronouns like I, My, or Me.
  • You can use a suitable idiom/proverb/quote to start your essay.

Body:
The main purpose of a body paragraph is to explain in detail the examples that support your thesis. Begin each paragraph with a theme sentence that connects the paragraph to the rest of the essay. Start with the first subtopic and continue with supporting details. Give examples and explain how this example proves your argument.

You can draw up comparisons to make the examiner understand what you are trying to say.

Continue with second/third subtopics (if necessary) and proceed in a similar way.

  • Ensure that every different point is given a new paragraph.
  • Do not stick to a single subtopic and write too much about it because you won‘t be left with much of words to explain other necessary points.
  • The first sentences of your body paragraphs need to be very effective.

Conclusion:

Conclusion is a crux of all that has been discussed earlier. You can start by summarizing your main ideas by drawing together each component of you previously made arguments in a logical and significant way.

  •  Give your own opinion or a suggestion in the end (if required).
  • Try to conclude with a quotation that amplifies your main point. A quotation can add texture and specificity to your discussion.
  • Do not forget to address the task given to you in the question.
  • Avoid Introducing a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion.
  • Make sure your conclusion agrees with your introduction.

 

Finishing Touches

  • Check the order of your paragraphs.
  • Make sure that the order of your paragraphs makes sense.
  • Make sure that flow of sentences is smooth.
  • Add phrases to connect thoughts or ideas.
  • Check your essay for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Transition

-Addition
and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition, then, of equal importance, equally important, another

-Comparison
in the same way, by the same token, similarly, in like manner, likewise, in similar fashion

-Purpose
in order that, so that, to that end, to this end, for this purpose

-Contrast
but, in contrast, conversely, however, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, and yet, on the other hand, of course, on the contrary, or, in spite of this, actually, a year ago, now, notwithstanding, for all that, strangely enough, ironically

-Cause/ Effect – Because, since, on account of, for that reason, therefore, consequently, accordingly, thus, hence, as a result

-Conclusion
in conclusion, lastly , to sum up, to summarize, in sum, in brief, in short, in summary

 

Tips for Essay Writing

  • Don‘t be abusive while mentioning negative aspects of something.
  • Avoid using slang or text language.
  • Your tone should always be confident and formal while writing essays.
  • Try using simple vocabulary.
  • Always write in paragraphs.
  • Do not address the reader.
  • Read editorials daily and rewrite its summary in 250-300 words.
  • Try writing essay on topics/issues currently in news.0

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