Master the art of writing paragraphs, letters & notices with confidence!
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develop one single idea or topic. It is the basic building block of all writing — essays, letters, stories, and reports.
Every well-written paragraph has three parts:
All sentences should talk about one topic only. Do not mix different ideas.
Sentences should flow smoothly. Use linking words to connect ideas logically.
Arrange ideas in a logical order — chronological, importance, or cause and effect.
Include enough details to fully explain the topic. Don't leave the reader confused!
These words connect your sentences and make your paragraph smooth:
My favourite festival is Diwali, the festival of lights.Topic Sentence It is celebrated in October or November every year. Firstly, our whole family cleans and decorates the house with colourful rangoli and diyas. Moreover, we wear new clothes and visit relatives to exchange sweets and gifts.Supporting The best part is bursting crackers with my friends in the evening, while the sky lights up with fireworks. However, nowadays many people celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali by using fewer crackers to protect the environment. In conclusion, Diwali brings joy, togetherness, and a spirit of sharing, which is why it is my favourite festival.Concluding
Trees are essential for the survival of life on Earth.Topic Sentence Firstly, they give us oxygen, which every living being needs to breathe. In addition, they absorb harmful carbon dioxide and help reduce air pollution.Supporting Trees also provide us with fruits, wood, medicines, and shade. Furthermore, their roots hold the soil together and prevent floods and soil erosion. For example, mangrove trees along coastlines protect villages from storms and cyclones. Therefore, we should plant more trees and protect our forests so that future generations can also enjoy a healthy environment.Concluding
We write informal (personal/friendly) letters to people we know well — friends, family members, cousins, and relatives. The tone is warm, friendly, and conversational.
Dear Ankit,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to tell you about the wonderful time I had during my summer vacation.
This year, my family and I visited Shimla for ten days. The weather was cool and pleasant. We stayed in a cosy hotel near the Mall Road. We visited the Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, and Kufri. I especially enjoyed horse riding in Kufri and the toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla. We also tasted delicious local food, especially the hot momos and apple pie.
I wish you had been there with me! Do write back and tell me about your vacation plans. Give my regards to your parents.
Your friend,
Priya
Dear Riya,
How are you? I hope your studies are going well. I am very excited and I just had to share this wonderful news with you!
Our school organised its Annual Day celebration last week, and it was absolutely spectacular. The school hall was beautifully decorated with lights and balloons. There were dance performances, skits, and a singing competition. The highlight of the evening was the play "The Merchant of Venice" in which I played the role of Portia! I was very nervous at first, but my teachers and friends encouraged me, and the audience loved the performance. I even won the "Best Actress" award!
I wish you could have been there to see it. Do visit us during the winter holidays — we will have a great time together. Give my love to Uncle and Aunty.
Yours lovingly,
Meera
We write formal (official/business) letters to people we do not know personally or to people in authority — the principal, headmaster, editor of a newspaper, government officials, company managers, etc. The tone is polite, respectful, and to the point.
I am Rohan Sharma, a student of Class VII-B (Roll No. 25). I would like to respectfully request you to grant me leave for three days, from 15 July to 17 July 2026.
The reason for my leave is that my elder sister's wedding is on 16 July, and my family needs to travel to Bhopal for the ceremony. As I need to help with the preparations and attend the wedding, it will not be possible for me to attend school during this period.
I assure you that I will complete all the missed classwork and homework promptly after I return. I shall be grateful if you kindly grant me leave for the mentioned dates.
Yours obediently,
Rohan Sharma
Class VII-B, Roll No. 25
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the growing traffic problems in Indore city, especially in the Vijay Nagar and Palasia areas.
Every morning during school hours and every evening during office closing time, the roads become extremely congested. Vehicles are parked haphazardly on both sides of the road, leaving very little space for moving traffic. Auto-rickshaws and buses stop anywhere they wish to pick up and drop passengers. There are very few traffic signals, and those that exist are often not working. As a result, accidents have become common, and even school children are at risk while crossing the roads.
I request the traffic police and the municipal corporation to take strict action against illegal parking, install more traffic signals, and deploy traffic wardens near schools and busy intersections. I hope this letter brings the issue to the notice of the authorities.
Yours faithfully,
Sneha Verma
Understanding the difference between informal and formal letters is very important. Here is a clear side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | 💌 Informal Letter | 💼 Formal Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Written to | Friends, family, relatives | Principal, editor, officials, strangers |
| Tone | Warm, friendly, personal | Polite, respectful, professional |
| Sender's Address | Top right side | Top left side |
| Receiver's Address | Not written | Written below the date (left side) |
| Subject Line | Not needed | Mandatory (written before salutation) |
| Salutation | Dear Rahul, / Dear Papa, / Hi Meera, | Respected Sir/Madam, / Dear Mr. Sharma, |
| Language | Casual, conversational, contractions okay | Formal, no slang, no contractions |
| Closing | Yours lovingly, / Your friend, / With love, | Yours faithfully, / Yours sincerely, / Yours obediently, |
| Examples | Thanking a friend, sharing holiday news, invitation to birthday party | Leave application, complaint to editor, requesting information |
A notice is a short, formal piece of writing that gives information or announcements to a group of people. It is put up on a notice board in schools, offices, or public places.
School name or club name at the top, centred.
Written in bold, capital letters, centred.
Written below the heading.
A short title telling what the notice is about.
Short and clear — What? When? Where? Who? Keep it within 50 words.
Name and post of the person issuing the notice.
DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, INDORE
Date: 15 September 2026
INTER-HOUSE ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION
All students of Classes VII to IX are hereby informed that an Inter-House Essay Writing Competition will be held on 22 September 2026 (Thursday) in the School Auditorium from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
The topic of the essay will be announced on the spot. Students must bring their own stationery. Interested students should give their names to their respective class teachers by 18 September 2026.
Aisha Khan
Head Girl
Choose any one topic and write a well-structured paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Use linking words!
My best friend Arjun is the kindest person I know. We have been friends since Class 3, when he joined our school as a new student and I was asked to show him around. Since then, we have been inseparable. Arjun is extremely helpful and always shares his notes with classmates who miss school. Moreover, he has a wonderful sense of humour and can make anyone laugh, even on a bad day. We love playing cricket together during recess and often visit each other's homes on weekends to play video games or study for exams. What makes him truly special is that he always stands up for his friends and never speaks ill of anyone. In short, Arjun is not just my best friend but more like a brother to me.
Reading books is one of the best habits a person can develop. Firstly, books are a treasure house of knowledge and information. Whether it is science, history, or geography, books help us learn about the world around us. In addition, reading improves our vocabulary and language skills, making us better writers and communicators. Furthermore, story books and novels spark our imagination and take us to magical worlds that we could never visit in real life. Reading is also a wonderful way to relax after a tiring day. For example, many doctors recommend reading before bedtime as it helps calm the mind and improves sleep quality. Therefore, we should develop the habit of reading from an early age, as it enriches our minds and opens the doors to endless possibilities.
Last winter, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. I went there with my family during the Christmas holidays. The moment I saw the magnificent white marble monument, I was completely mesmerised by its beauty. Firstly, the intricate carvings and inlay work on the walls were breathtaking. Moreover, our guide told us fascinating stories about Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and how it took 22 years and 20,000 workers to build this wonder. We also visited the beautiful gardens surrounding the Taj and the nearby Agra Fort. The most magical moment was watching the Taj Mahal glow in the golden light of the setting sun. In conclusion, this visit taught me about India's rich history and artistic heritage, and I feel proud that one of the Seven Wonders of the World is in our country.
Follow the correct informal letter format. Write 120-150 words.
Dear Ankit,
I hope you are doing well. How are Uncle and Aunty? I am writing to invite you to spend the Diwali holidays at my home this year.
Diwali falls on 1 November, and we have holidays from 29 October to 5 November. My parents would love to have you over. We have planned so many fun activities — making rangoli together, decorating the house with diyas and fairy lights, and of course, enjoying Mummy's special gulab jamun and kaju katli! On Diwali night, we can watch the fireworks from our terrace, which gives a beautiful view of the whole city lighting up.
Please ask Uncle and Aunty for permission and let me know soon. I have already told Mummy, and she is very excited to have you here. Do come — it will be the best Diwali ever!
Your friend,
Rahul
Dear Didi,
I hope you are doing great in Delhi. We all miss you very much at home. I am writing this letter to congratulate you on your wonderful achievement!
Mummy told us the fantastic news that you have won the National Merit Scholarship for your outstanding performance in the university exams. We are all so proud of you! Papa was beaming with joy, and Mummy made your favourite rajma-chawal to celebrate. Even our neighbours came over to congratulate us when they heard the news. You have always been my role model, and this achievement inspires me to study harder and follow in your footsteps.
We are planning to visit you in Delhi next month to celebrate properly. Please take care of yourself and keep shining! Sending lots of love and warm hugs.
Yours lovingly,
Aarav
Follow the correct formal letter format. Write 120-150 words.
I am Neha Gupta, the Class Representative of Class VII-A. On behalf of the students of Classes VII and VIII, I would like to respectfully request your permission to organise a Science Exhibition in our school.
We propose to hold the exhibition on 25 September 2026 (Saturday) in the school hall. Students from both classes have prepared interesting working models and projects on topics such as renewable energy, water purification, the solar system, and plant biology. Our Science teacher, Mrs. Sharma, has kindly agreed to supervise the event. We believe this exhibition will encourage scientific thinking and creativity among students.
We shall be grateful if you grant us permission and allow us to use the school hall and laboratory equipment for the display. We assure you that all arrangements will be made responsibly and the hall will be cleaned up after the event.
Yours obediently,
Neha Gupta
Class Representative, VII-A
I wish to bring to your kind attention the deplorable condition of the roads in Scheme No. 54, Indore. I am a resident of this locality and a student of Class VII at Kendriya Vidyalaya.
The roads in our colony have been in a terrible state for the past six months. There are large potholes everywhere, especially on the main road connecting our colony to the highway. During the recent monsoon, the potholes filled with water, making it nearly impossible for pedestrians and vehicles to pass safely. Several accidents have already occurred. Elderly citizens and school children face great difficulty while commuting. The streetlights are also not functioning, making the situation even more dangerous at night.
I earnestly request you to kindly arrange for the immediate repair of the roads and restoration of streetlights in our area. The residents of Scheme No. 54 will be extremely grateful for your prompt action.
Yours faithfully,
Vikram Singh
Read each situation and decide whether you would write a Formal or Informal letter.
1. Writing to your grandmother about your exam results.
2. Complaining to the editor about water shortage in your area.
3. Inviting your cousin to your birthday party.
4. Requesting the principal for a transfer certificate.
5. Telling your friend about a new movie you watched.
6. Writing to the Manager of a bank to open a savings account.
7. Thanking your uncle for a birthday gift.
8. Requesting the Librarian to issue new books for the class library.
| No. | Situation | Answer | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Writing to grandmother about exam results | Informal | Grandmother is a family member |
| 2 | Complaining to editor about water shortage | Formal | Editor is a stranger / person in authority |
| 3 | Inviting cousin to birthday party | Informal | Cousin is a relative |
| 4 | Requesting principal for transfer certificate | Formal | Principal is a person in authority |
| 5 | Telling friend about a new movie | Informal | Friend is someone you know well |
| 6 | Writing to bank manager to open account | Formal | Bank manager is an official / stranger |
| 7 | Thanking uncle for birthday gift | Informal | Uncle is a family member |
| 8 | Requesting librarian to issue new books | Formal | Librarian is a school authority figure |
Each letter below has format mistakes. Find and list all the errors.
Hi Sir,
I want leave for 3 days coz my sister's getting married. Please give me leave from 15 to 17 July. I'll do all the homework when I come back. Thanks a lot!
Bye,
Rohan
Class 7-B
Subject: Summer vacation trip
Respected Ankit,
I am writing to inform you about my summer vacation trip to Shimla. It was a pleasant experience.
Yours faithfully,
Priya