GSEB Class 12 English Article Writing

Gujarat Board GSEB Class 12 English Textbook Solutions Writing Skills Article Writing Questions and Answers, Notes Pdf.

Article Writing GSEB Std 12 English Grammar

An article is a piece of writing written for a large audience. The main motive behind writing an article is that it should be published in either newspapers or magazines or journals so as to make some difference to the world.
It may be the topics of interest of the writer or it may be related to some current issues. The topic can either be serious or not-so-serious; Same goes for its tone and language.

Objectives of Article Writing:
An article is written with the following objectives:

• It brings out the topics or the matter of interest in the limelight
• The article provides information on the topics
• It offers suggestions and pieces of advice
• It influences the readers and urges them to think
• The article discusses various stories, persons, locations, rising issues and technical developments

The Format of Article Writing:
An article must be organized in a proper way so as to draw the attention of the readers. The basic outline for an article writing format is
1. Heading / Title
2. A-line having the writer’s name
3. Body (the main part of the article, 2-3 paragraphs)
4. Conclusion (Ending paragraph of the article with the opinion or recommendation, anticipation or an appeal)

Ingredient of Writing an Article
Title of the Article
Writer’s name
Body (main part of the article)

• Introductive Paragraph
• Descriptive Paragraph
• Additional Information (if needed)

Conclusion (ending part of the article)

Steps for Article Writing Format:
Think of the topic you want to write the article about. Only after you’ve decided your topic you can go ahead and undertake the further steps in the process one by one :

• Target Audience: Identify the concerning reading group.
• Purpose: Find the objective or aim of writing the article.
• Collect & Select: Gather as much information as possible. Also, identify the details that are most significant.
• Organize: Arrange the information and the facts in a logical way.
• Once you’ve taken care of all the above steps you move forward to the final step –

Writing.

• While writing an article, always use proper grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.
• Use vocabulary skills.
• Keep the introduction of the topic catchy, interesting and short.
• Discuss the opinion and the matter in an organized and descriptive manner.

Common Mistakes in the Article Writing Format:
Now that you know the steps of article writing and the article writing format, the occurrence of mistakes becomes obvious. Some of the common mistakes are :

• Not using facts or quotes or similar cases
• The language should not be too formal
• The article must be in easy language for better understanding
• The title of the article must be catchy and clearly understandable
• No use of paragraphs
• Expressing personal views is fine but the author must never talk about himself/herself
• Points to Keep in Mind for the Article Writing Format:
• The topics of the articles should be unique and relevant
• The article has to get attention
• It has to be interesting
• It has to be easy to read
• The reader is identified
• Find the main goal of writing an article. The goal can be anything from providing information, entertainment and advice or for comparing, etc.
• The title must be eye-catching, clear and interesting
• The introduction or the starting paragraph must be highly attentive. Use your vocabulary skills or try to use some interrogative words for the start
• Use clear statements and make assertions
• Avoid repetition and over the top logic and reasons
• Use the style of paragraph writing and write the contents uniquely and unambiguously
• Avoid using the points which interest you only and not for the general public
• Write a good and logical ending

Solved Example on Steps of Article Writing:
Problem: Classify the following into Dos and Don’ts in article writing.

1. Write very lengthy articles
2. Add the writer’s name
3. The title should be lengthy and clear
4. The heading of the article should be short, clear and informative
5. Only the introduction and the conclusion should be attractive and attention-seeking
6. Target the audience
7. One can advise, suggest and give the solutions to a problem in any paragraph other than the starting one
8. The language and the style of writing should be according to the concerning readers
9. There must be only three paragraphs in an article – introduction, middle one and conclusion
10. Use proper punctuations
11. Use any tense, person, voice, as many abbreviations and self-made words while writing an article

Solution:
Dos

• Add the writer’s name
• The heading of the article should be short, clear and informative
• Target the audience
• The language and the style of writing should be according to the concerning readers.
• Use proper punctuations

Don’ts

1. Write very lengthy articles
2. The title should be lengthy and clear
3. Only the introduction and the conclusion should be attractive and attention seeker
4. One can advise, suggest and give the solutions to a problem in any paragraph other than the starting one
5. There must be only three paragraphs in article – introduction, middle one and conclusion
6. Use any tense, person, voice, as many abbreviations and self-made words While writing an article

Question 1.
The Information Technology has provided new avenues to the students for knowledge, creativity, discovery as well as job opportunities at home and abroad. Computers have brought in a silent revolution. Write an article showing how the information technology has provided the younger generation new opportunities, joys of discovery and thrill of creativity.
Answer:
Information Technology and Younger Generation:
The Information Technology has provided new avenues to the students for acquiring knowledge, enhancing thrills of creativity, enjoying pleasures of discovery as well as new job opportunities at home and abroad. Computers have brought in a silent revolution. These electronic devices are as efficient as the best, of human brains. Computers have become indispensable in data-processing and resource planning. Access to Internet has opened vast field of knowledge to the computer operator.

Computer is more than a calculating machine. No doubt it has made lengthy calculations and working out tedious problems a matter of fun. In writing articles too it helps like a good friend by correcting spellings and grammatical errors. Web designing, e-mail and e-commerce are quite engrossing and rewarding.

Question 2.
Our country is prone to disasters like floods, drought, cyclones, or earthquakes. Ad hoc measures are adopted to cope with every disaster. The slow response results in loss of human life and property. Write an article for a newspaper giving suggestions about disaster management. You may suggest having special equipment, trained personnel, better transport and communication, quick decisions and speedy implementation.
Answer:
Disaster Management:
Our country is prone to disasters like floods, drought, cyclones or earthquakes. We do not have any clear-cut policy of disaster management nor any force to tackle the situation. Ad hoc measures are adopted to cope with every disaster. We wait and watch for others to join the fray. There are heated arguments over jurisdiction – centre or state liability, official assessment and surveys before any help is rushed out to the affected area. The slow response results in the loss of precious human life and valuable property.

We must have clear-cut, well-defined guidelines for disaster management. A well-trained task force having special equipment and trained personnel should be constituted. Its controlling officer should have the authority to make decisions and ensure their speedy implementation. Better transport and communication facilities will ensure better results. Bureaucratic setup should not be allowed to interfere with the work of the disaster management group.

Question 3.
India has been facing and fighting terrorism for the last twenty years. In fact, terrorism has disrupted the peace and harmony of the country and created panic and insecurity in certain areas/states. Write an article on ‘Terrorism: A Curse to Humanity’.
Answer:
Terrorism: A Curse to Humanity
Terrorism is the biggest threat that the world faces today. Modern terrorism thrives on its ability to hit where it hurts the most. The aim of the terrorists is to create fear, anxiety, panic and disturbance in the minds of the common people. They believe in destruction and death and create lawlessness. At present innocent citizens are becoming the victims of terror and violence.

Hapless citizens are used as pawns and ransoms for exerting pressure on governments. Sometimes governments too feel helpless and yield to their unlawful and exorbitant demands for money, material and release of fellow terrorists. As the authorities bow to demands of terrorists, citizens lose faith in government. Terrorists attacked the twin towers in America, on September 11, 2001, killing thousands of persons.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been infested by terrorists. Even the Indian Parliament was the target of the attack on 13th December 2001. The latest was the Mumbai attack on the Taj Hotel on 26 Nov. 2008. The government should enact strict laws to combat this evil against humanity.

Question 4.
You had a discussion with your friend on Information Technology. After getting from her a lot of ideas, you decide to write an article on Information Technology for your school magazine. Write the article.
Answer:
Information Technology
Applied science and technology have changed our lives and modes of functioning. Technological advancements have made the world a global village. The revolutionary advancement in telecommunication have made it possible for us to talk to persons in the farthest parts of the world. Tele-conferencing has enabled us to communicate across the world. Information technology has been revolutionised with the invention of computers.

It has opened a new window on the world. Computer-based information technology has increased efficiency and human capacity to work. The Internet provides instantaneous knowledge and service through its worldwide network. Electronic mail (E-mail) and Electronic Commerce (E-commerce) have come in vogue. Genetic engineering, cloning and miraculous cures for diseases are now available to humanity through information technology.

Question 5.
Delhi Administration has launched„ a campaign against use of polythene bags. Write an article on ‘Hazards of Polythene Bags’ for your school magazine.
Answer:
Hazards of Polythene Bags:
Polythene bags are a potential threat to our environment. They have many adverse effects on human health and hygiene. Polythene bags are non-biodegradable. They do not dissolve in mud. Rather they clog the pores and do not allow earth to suck up water. Thus the fertility power of the earth is lost. New buds do not get a chance to come up. Greenery is hampered. They produce obnoxious gases when burnt. These gases cause serious diseases like bronchitis, eyesore, rashes, allergy, cancer, etc. Heaps of discarded polythene bags present an ugly sight.

They scatter with wind and choke the drains. Deadly germs breed in the pools of dirty water. Sewer system is choked. Stray animals eat them and their digestive systems get disturbed. We should create public awareness against these hazards. Anti-polythene campaigns should be organised.

Question 6.
You have noticed growing tendency towards violence among young people. Write an article for the school magazine highlighting the role of the media, viz. the TV and the Cinema.
Answer:
Violence Among Youth:
Recently a very disturbing trend has been noticed in the behavioural pattern of the teenagers. It is the growing tendency towards violence among the youth. They have turned aggressive and assertive. They indulge in violent protests and loud outbursts of emotion. They take out processions and hold demonstrations at the slightest provocation. If opposed, they indulge in arson and looting.

They take sinister delight in damaging public property. The tendency to vent their anger, show themselves off and impress others with their heroic feats forces them in off-beat activities. The media, viz. the cable TV and the films with overdose of violence is largely responsible for fanning the tendency of violence among the young people. Lack of proper parental care and control and a desire to emulate their peers are other contributory factors. They should realize the difference between, reel life and real life.

Question 7.
You visited the Taj at Agra during the Autumn break when the Historical Society of your school organised a trip. You were greatly impressed. Write an article on ‘A Visit to a Place of Historical Interest’.
Answer:
A Visit to a Place of Historical Interest:
The schools in Delhi closed for autumn break on Saturday, the 27th September. The Historical Society of our school arranged a trip to Agra. We started early in the morning the next day by the Taj Express. The two-hour journey was very pleasant and quite comfortable. After half an hour we had the first glimpse of the Taj.

It is indeed a marvel in marble, one of the wonders of the world. The serene beauty of the Taj cast a spell on me. It appeared to me like a dream in marble. Our History teacher played the role of a guide as well. He explained each part of this monument in detail. Then we visited other places of historical interest such as the Red Fort and the Moti Masjid.

The visit to Fatehpur Sikri and the ‘Buland Darwaja’ filled us with excitement. This historical town is now uninhabited. On the whole, the trip proved very educative and entertaining. For the first time History appeared as a vivid and living subject.

Question 8.
In most Indian families, particularly in rural areas, the girl child is considered inferior to the male child. As a result of this bias, a daughter is considered a burden and she suffers discrimination in the matter of food, freedom, health and education. Write an article showing how such an attitude is harmful and unjust.
Answer:
Evils of Gender Discrimination:
In our male-dominated society, the girl child is considered inferior. The birth of a male child is an event for celebration while that of a female child is rued. The bias is more pronounced in rural areas. Daughters are not given good quality food. Milk, eggs, fruit, etc. are reserved for the boys. Girls are sent to schools which have no claim to any quality education or facilities.

On the other hand, boys are sent to the most exclusive ‘public schools’. After school, the daughters stay at home and assist in household work. The boys go out to meet friends, enjoy movies and shows or play games. It is the girls who face all types of restrictions. This discrimination is unjust and harmful. Ultimately it is the society that suffers. Girls too have intelligence, talent and creativity. Indeed they have more sensibility, affection and love. We should end the evil discrimination against the girl child.