1. The writing section at a glance
Section B of the CBSE Class 10 English paper includes two writing tasks of 5 marks each, each with an internal choice (A or B): a formal letter (complaint, letter to the editor, placing an order, enquiry) and an analytical paragraph on a chart, graph, table, map or set of cues. Each should be about 100–120 words.
Plan for one minute before writing. Both tasks reward a fixed structure, accurate language and complete coverage of the cues.
| Board question | Task | Marks | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal letter | complaint, letter to the editor, placing an order, or enquiry (choose A or B) | 5 | 100–120 words |
| Analytical paragraph | describe and analyse a chart, graph, table, map or set of cues (choose A or B) | 5 | 100–120 words |
2. Formal letter: format
Eight parts, top to bottom:
- Sender's address (short, with PIN code)
- Date (27 October 2026)
- Receiver's designation and address
- Subject: 5–10 words, with a reference number if any
- Salutation: Sir/Madam,
- Body: three paragraphs
- Complimentary close: Yours faithfully (Yours sincerely also accepted)
- Name, and designation if writing for a school or group
Use the names and addresses given in the question.
Key terms
- Salutation
The greeting before the body: Sir/Madam, in a formal letter.
- Complimentary close
The phrase before the name: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely.
3. Formal letter: body and register
Paragraph 1 — purpose: why you are writing (I am writing to complain about… / I wish to bring to your notice… / Through the columns of your newspaper…).
Paragraph 2 — details: facts, figures and effects (complaint, editor); a numbered list of items with specifications and quantities (order); specific polite questions (enquiry: Kindly let me know whether…).
Paragraph 3 — action: what you want, by when, and a courteous close (I request you to… / I look forward to an early reply.).
Register: full forms (do not), neutral words (goods, delivery person), polite firm requests; no slang, contractions, exclamation marks or emotional demands.
| Paragraph | Job | Useful openings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Purpose | say why you are writing, with a reference | I am writing to… / I wish to bring to your notice… |
| 2 — Details | facts, figures, effects, or the list of items/questions | The problem is… / Kindly let me know… / We require the following… |
| 3 — Action | what you want done, by when; polite close | I request you to… / I look forward to an early reply. |
| Letter type | Written to | Goal | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint | a company, shop or official | report a problem and get it put right | firm, polite |
| To the editor | The Editor of a newspaper | raise a public issue and suggest solutions | reasoned, public-minded |
| Placing an order | a supplier or shop | order goods exactly, with terms | brief, precise |
| Enquiry | an institution or business | ask for information before deciding | courteous, specific |
Key terms
- Register
The level of formality of language. Formal letters use a formal register.
4. Model letter of complaint
14 Shanti Nagar
Jaipur 302006
27 October 2026
The Customer Relations Manager
Furnish Home Pvt Ltd
Koramangala, Bengaluru 560034
Subject: Complaint about a damaged study table (Order No. FH20817)
Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain about a study table I ordered from your website on 15 October. It was delivered yesterday in a damaged condition.
The tabletop has a deep crack along one edge, and two drawer handles and their screws were missing from the box. Since I paid the full amount in advance, this is very disappointing.
I request you to replace the table within a week or refund the full amount of ₹6,499. I have kept the packing and the invoice for your inspection.
Yours faithfully
Riya Sharma
Key terms
- Word count
About 120 words including the format lines; the body is about 90 words.
5. Analytical paragraph: structure and reading
Five moves: introduction (what the input shows, where, when) → overview (the main trend in one sentence) → key figures, grouped → comparisons and exceptions → conclusion drawn from the data.
Read for one minute first: title and source; axes, columns and units; period; highest and lowest values; the biggest change; anything that breaks the pattern.
For tables and surveys: group rows (what rose, what fell) and select 3–4 key figures. For maps or then-and-now plans: pair old and new features and group them by theme. For cues: use each cue once, link them, and end with a balanced conclusion.
Key terms
- Overview
One sentence that states the main trend or pattern of the whole input, near the start of the paragraph.
6. Analytical paragraph: language
Trends: rose, increased, climbed, soared; fell, declined, plummeted; peaked at; remained stable, levelled off; fluctuated — with sharply, steadily, gradually, slightly.
Comparison: by (size of change) vs to (final value); twice / three times as many as; a quarter, a third, the majority; whereas, while, in contrast; percentage points for the difference between two percentages.
Tense: simple past for past data (sales rose), present for what the input shows (the table shows), may / might for cautious predictions.
| Change | Verbs | Nouns | Adverbs / adjectives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up | rose, increased, grew, climbed, soared | a rise, an increase, growth | sharply, steadily, gradually, slightly |
| Down | fell, declined, dropped, plummeted | a fall, a decline, a drop | dramatically, steeply, marginally |
| Highest / lowest | peaked at, hit a low of | a peak, a low point | — |
| No change | remained stable, levelled off | a plateau | constant, steady |
| Up and down | fluctuated | fluctuations | erratic, irregular |
| To show… | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| size of change | rose by | Sales rose by 20 units. |
| final value | rose to | Sales rose to 80 units. |
| ratio | twice / three times as many as | Twice as many students cycled as walked. |
| proportion | a quarter, a third, the majority | A quarter of the students walk. |
| contrast | whereas, while, in contrast | Coal fell, whereas solar rose. |
| two percentages | percentage points | It rose from 20 to 30 per cent, by 10 points. |
Key terms
- Percentage point
The arithmetic difference between two percentages: 20% → 30% is a rise of 10 percentage points (a 50 per cent increase).
- Plateau
A period when a value stays roughly the same.
7. How both tasks are marked
SOYL rubrics, modelled on the CBSE marking pattern for 5-mark writing tasks:
- Letter: Format 1 · Content 2 · Organisation and expression 1 · Accuracy 1.
- Analytical paragraph: Content 3 · Organisation and expression 1 · Accuracy 1.
Content marks depend on covering every cue (letter) or giving an overview, accurate key figures and comparisons (paragraph). Opinions, invented causes and wrong figures lose accuracy and content marks.
| Criterion | Marks | What earns it |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 1 | Sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, complimentary close and name, in order (deduct 0.5 for one or two missing or misplaced parts). |
| Content | 2 | All the cues are covered with relevant, specific details; the purpose is clear in the first paragraph and the action requested in the last. |
| Organisation and expression | 1 | Three clear paragraphs, logical order, linking words and a polite, formal register throughout. |
| Accuracy | 1 | Grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct; within the word limit. |
| Criterion | Marks | What earns it |
|---|---|---|
| Content | 3 | Introduction naming the input, an overview of the main trend, key figures with correct units, and at least one comparison; a conclusion that follows from the data. |
| Organisation and expression | 1 | Logical order (overview → details → conclusion), varied trend and comparison language, linking words. |
| Accuracy | 1 | Grammar, spelling and figures quoted correctly; no opinions beyond the data; within the word limit. |
Exam tips
Marks: formal letter 5 + analytical paragraph 5 (Section B, CBSE 2026-27), each about 100–120 words with a choice of two.
How marks are awarded: letter — format 1, content 2, organisation and expression 1, accuracy 1; analytical paragraph — content 3, organisation and expression 1, accuracy 1 (SOYL rubric modelled on the CBSE pattern).
Common mistakes — letter
- Missing date, or the subject placed after the salutation.
- Informal openings and closes (Hi, Dear friend, Yours lovingly).
- Cues from the question left out.
- Contractions, slang and exclamation marks.
Common mistakes — analytical paragraph
- No overview; every number listed in order.
- Figures without units, or misquoted; by / to confused.
- Personal opinions, invented causes, or advice to the government.
- Exaggerated trend words (soared for a 4 per cent rise).
Time: about 12–15 minutes for each task, including one minute of planning and one minute of checking.