A notice is a brief, formal announcement published for a specific group of people or the general public. Its primary purpose is to convey important information quickly and clearly.

Purpose:

To inform a large number of people about an event, meeting, lost and found item, important announcement, warning, or appeal.

Key Characteristics:

1. Brevity: Notices are short and to the point.
2. Clarity: The message must be easily understood by the target audience.
3. Conciseness: Avoid unnecessary words or details.
4. Formality: Maintain a formal and objective tone.

Standard Format:

1. Name of Issuing Authority/Organization: Placed prominently at the top, usually centered and in bold (e.g., ABC SCHOOL, RESIDENTS' WELFARE ASSOCIATION).
2. "NOTICE" (in bold, centered): This word itself signifies the document's nature.
3. Date: Placed on the left side, below "NOTICE" (e.g., June 24, 2025).
4. Catchy Headline/Subject: A brief, eye-catching, and informative title that clearly states the purpose of the notice. It should grab attention and summarize the content (e.g., Inter-School Debate Competition, Lost Wallet, Annual General Meeting).
5. Body of the Notice: This is where the essential information is conveyed. It should answer the 5 W's and 1 H:
6. What: What is the notice about? (e.g., a competition, a meeting, a lost item).
7. When: When will it happen? (Date, time, duration).
8. Where: Where will it take place? (Venue).
9. Who: Who is involved/addressed? (Target audience, who to contact).
10. Why: Why is this event/announcement occurring? (Purpose).
11. How: How can people participate or respond? (Registration process, actions required).
12. The language should be formal, precise, and impersonal (avoiding "I," "we," "you").
13. Signature: The name of the person issuing the notice, followed by their designation (e.g., [Your Name], Secretary, Cultural Club).

This section serves as a crucial revision and practical application of the email writing principles discussed in Lesson 2.3. We'll reinforce the distinctions between formal and informal emails and focus on practical exercises to solidify your understanding.

Formal Emails:

(Revisit emphasis)
- Professionalism: Maintain a high level of professionalism in all aspects – language, tone, structure, and content.
- Clarity and Conciseness: Get to the point quickly and present information clearly.
- Structure:
1. Subject Line: Always informative.
2. Salutation: Formal (e.g., Dear Mr. Singh, Dear Ms. Sharma).
3. Opening: State purpose directly.
4. Body: Well-organized paragraphs, often using bullet points for clarity when presenting multiple points.
5. Closing: Professional (e.g., Sincerely, Regards).
6. Signature: Full name, designation, contact info.
- Proofreading: Absolutely essential for error-free communication.

Informal Emails:

(Revisit emphasis)
- Personal Tone: More relaxed, conversational, and friendly.
- Flexibility: Greater freedom in sentence structure and word choice.
- Structure:
1. Subject Line: Can be informal but still clear (e.g., "Catching up!", "Party next week!").
2. Salutation: Casual (e.g., Hi Alex, Hey Sarah).
3. Body: Chatty, personal updates, questions.
4. Closing: Casual (e.g., Cheers, Best, Talk soon).
5. Signature: First name or nickname.

Practice Scenarios:

Engage in various email writing exercises, such as:
1. Writing a formal email to a professor requesting an extension for an assignment.
2. Composing an informal email to a friend planning a weekend trip.
3. Drafting a formal email to a client providing a project update.
4. Sending an informal email to a family member sharing recent news.
Focus on adapting your tone and content to the specific recipient and purpose.

Reports are factual, objective documents that present information, findings, or analyses in a structured and organized manner. They are designed to be informative and often lead to conclusions or recommendations.

General Principles of Report Writing:

• Objectivity: Present facts and evidence, not personal opinions or biases.
• Clarity and Precision: Use unambiguous language.
• Conciseness: Be direct and avoid jargon where simpler terms suffice.
• Accuracy: All information must be verifiable and correct.
• Structure: Reports almost always have clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader.
• Formal Language: Generally, reports use formal, professional language.

Types of Reports:

• School Reports (Academic Reports): These reports are formal documents prepared by teachers to communicate a student's academic progress, performance, behavior, and potential.
• Event Reports: These reports document the details of an event that has taken place. They aim to provide a factual account for those who were not present or for future reference.
• News Reports: These are objective accounts of current events, designed to inform the public quickly and accurately. They follow a specific structure that prioritizes crucial information.