Mastering Essential Exam Writing Skills for KUK Students

Posted on May 15, 2026 in English Studies

Mastering Essential Exam Writing Skills

With exams approaching in May and June, mastering formats for E-mail and Notice Writing is essential. These are high-scoring sections where marks are awarded for following the correct structure.

1. E-mail Writing

E-mails in a professional or academic context, such as Kurukshetra University exams, should be clear, concise, and formal.

The Standard Format

• From: Your email address.
• To: Recipient’s email address.
• Cc/Bcc: Optional, usually left blank in exams.
• Subject: A short, catchy phrase indicating the purpose (e.g., Application for Leave).
• Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam, or Dear [Name].
• Body:
  • Opening: State the purpose.
  • Details: Provide necessary information.
  • Closing: What you expect (e.g., “Looking forward to your reply”).
• Sign-off: Regards/Sincerely, followed by your name and contact details.

Email Etiquette Tips

1. Use a professional subject line.
2. Avoid using all caps, as it mimics shouting.
3. Keep it brief and proofread for errors.

2. Notice Writing

A notice is a formal communication used to announce events, meetings, or instructions to a specific group.

CRITICAL: Always draw a box around your notice.

Standard Notice Structure

• Name of the Issuing Organization: (e.g., Govt PG College, Panchkula) — Centered & Caps
• The word “NOTICE”: — Centered & Caps
• Date of Issue: (e.g., 8 May, 2026) — Left-aligned
• Heading/Title: What the notice is about — Centered
• Body: Must answer the 5 Ws: What, When, Where, Why, and Who.
• Contact Person: Name and Designation — Bottom Left

Comparison for Exams

Practice Scenario: Notice Writing

Question: As the Secretary of the Cultural Society, write a notice informing students about an upcoming Inter-College Debate Competition.

How to Solve

• Header: GOVT PG COLLEGE, PANCHKULA
• Tag: NOTICE
• Date: 8 May, 2026
• Title: INTER-COLLEGE DEBATE COMPETITION
• Body: “This is to inform all students that our college is organizing an Inter-College Debate Competition on 20th May in the Auditorium at 10:00 AM. The topic is ‘AI in Education.’ Interested students must register their names with the undersigned by 15th May.”
• Signature: (Your Name), Secretary, Cultural Society

Pro-Tip: In Email Writing, focus on the Subject Line. In Notice Writing, focus on the Box and the Heading. Missing the box often results in a 1-mark deduction.

3. Resume Writing

A resume highlights your qualifications. For students, a Functional or Chronological Resume is standard.

Standard Format

• Contact Information: Name, Phone, Email, and Address.
• Objective: A 2-line statement about career goals.
• Education: Reverse-chronological order (latest first).
• Skills: Technical and Soft Skills.
• Experience/Projects: Mention relevant projects or leadership roles.
• Hobbies & Languages: Personal interests and languages known.

4. Précis Writing

A Précis is a summary of a passage in one-third of its original length, capturing the core idea.

Golden Rules

1. Title: Always provide a relevant heading.
2. Own Words: Do not copy-paste sentences.
3. Third-Person: Never use “I” or “You.”
4. One-Third Rule: Keep it concise (e.g., 150 words becomes 50).
5. No Opinions: Summarize only the provided text.

The “Rough Grid” Method

Draw a 5×10 grid to ensure you stay within the word limit. Placing one word per box helps maintain precision.

5. Developing a Story

Exams often provide a starting line, ending line, or an outline.

Steps for a Compelling Story

• The Hook: Grab attention with a scene or dialogue.
• The Setting: Describe where and when.
• The Conflict: Introduce a problem.
• The Climax: The peak of the action.
• The Resolution: How the story ends and what was learned.