BLOG WRITING

For Q. No 4( D) Topic 1

What is a Blog?

A blog( weblog) is a website, online journal, platform. Each entry is called as Post.

Blog structure

Common features of blogs 

• Header with the menu or Navigation bar
• Main content area
• Sidebar with profiles, popular posts or  favourite content
• Footer with relevant links privacy policy, disclaimer, contact page etc.

Gasping for Oxygen

A. Gasping for Oxygen .......

Whew ! Just today I saw a most short-sighted and stupid act. I saw a number of people–seemed like the local municipal workers – hacking down some healthy green trees. 

Why did I not stop them ? I was travelling in a bus, that’s why !

As I was proceeding homewards, upset and depressed at this prime example of stupidity, 

I began to wonder. What would happen if there were no trees on earth ? An earth without trees?

Then I realised that this is merely a hypothetical question – if there were no trees, we would not be there ! But just to imagine it was scary. Many animals would become extinct. This would disturb the food chain. There would be no rain, and hence very little water. Half the world would perish and the other half would fight for those few lakes with water. Everybody would have to wear-masks, for there would be only carbon-dioxide and no oxygen. There would be only concrete structures everywhere, and people-those who still survived – would be at loggerheads with each other, for there would be lack of food, lack of water, lack of oxygen ...... And here we are, cutting trees left and right ? When will we learn – we need to plant lakhs of trees, not cut them ! What do you think ? We start another Chipko movement ?

2. Say no to tobacco

A.  Say no to tobacco.

Humans are supposed to be the most evolved creatures on this planet. True ? No, absolutely false ! If, after knowing the various harmful effects of tobacco, man still uses it, it does not speak well of his mental capabilities. Which other animal chews tobacco ? Which other animal uses’ gutka’ or paan masala’, or smokes cigarettes, cigars and ‘beedis’?

“It’s my life”, some may say. Yes, it is. But it affects the people around too. Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health hazards of recent times. Tobacco is one of the primary causes of cancer and heart attacks. People in the 1950s and 60s did not know about this, and hence they smoked. But not that we know it, and know that it can lead to a horrible and painful death, can’t we, the species with the most highly developed brains, stop its use ? Stop growing it altogether ? 

Can’t the governments ban its farming ?

The frightening bit is that many youngsters are getting addicted to tobacco. And once addicted, withdrawal is very difficult. So why not we all join hands and say no to tobacco ? ‘No’ to using it, and ‘No’ to growing it too.

3. Man V/s Nature

A. MAN V/S NATURE

It’s pouring outside and the roads are again flooded. It reminds me of that unforgettable day 26 th July 2005, when Mumbai almost drowned. It seemed to be a battle of man versus nature; this time, man finally won. But will man always win ? When I watch TV or browse through the net, I begin to wonder about such things as ‘the end of the world’ and so on.

This ‘man versus nature’ conflict is the theme of Ernest Hemingway’s classic, ‘The Oldman and the Sea’, where the old man battles against a marlin. Today, we are willy-nilly challenging nature by our practices; global warning has already given us a warning of things to come. Maybe in a few years we will be battling for survival. By destroying mangroves, cutting down rainforests, building huge edifices indiscriminately, allowing the population to explode and using up the natural resources without a second thought, we are inviting trouble and nature is cruel, not kind.

To add to my woes, I have just seen a TV warning of a storm and danger of flooding in  far away New Orleans, I look out of my window and it is still pouring. Will we win our battle against nature ? But then, Why should we fight nature ? We should work hand-in-hand, not against each other ! But who can be more foolish than human beings ?

4. Child Labour - a curse to humanity

A. Child Labour - a curse to humanity

The words ‘Child Labour’ itself make me shudder. Childhood is a time to be enjoyed, to have fun and games; not to labour. But the unfortunate fact is that children in India, and in many other countries too, are made to do the worst forms of labour. In India, lakhs of poor children are forced to work, baking bricks, making fireworks, weaving carpets, rolling beedis, picking rags, working as domestic servants, waiters, etc. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Children are also sexually exploited or made to work as beggars. Things are worse now with terrorist camps apparently recruiting children for training.

While we condemn child labour, we also know the cause of this malady. It is due to poverty, natural disasters, family debts, and the like. Well then, what can we, as concerned citizens, do to prevent this ? In addition to talking and writing about it ? First of all, we can boycott those goods made by using child labour, high on this being fireworks. We can complain to authorities when we see a child being forced to work. We can report beggars; we can contribute or volunteer to work for NGOs.

However, the most sure-fire method of eradicating this problem is through education.

Education is the only single solution, and through education many of the ills bogging down our nation can be cured. So, those who see a child employed somewhere, please raise your voice. Child labour is certainly a curse to humanity.

Marking Scheme for ‘Blog Writing

Main Content (Mc) = 2 Mark

Header / Menu / Navigation Bar (HMN) = 1 Mark

Footer (F) = 1 Mark.

 Exercise for practice.

1) Write a blog in a proper format on ‘Unity in Diversity’in India, with the help of the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Multiple languages, cultures, religions

* Variety in food, clothes, festivals.

* Social harmony among Indians

* National festivals and unity.

* Appeal for unity.

2) Prepare a blog in a proper format on ‘Save Trees, trees will save us’ with the help of the following 

points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Trees are the only saviours of mankind.

* Importance of trees in Human life.

* Appeal to plant trees / stop 

deforestation.

* Save trees, Save the world, save the environment.

* Add your own points.

3) Write a blog in a proper format on the topic “The status of women in Indian society’’ with the help of 

the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Status of women in the past, offences against women, evil traditions etc.

* Equality - Education - Empowerment of women.

* Leading women in different fields.

* Present status of women-rights of women.

* The Present & Future belongs to women.

* Add your views.

4) Prepare a blog in a proper format on the topic, “Mother’s Day” with the help of the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* God cannot be everywhere, so he made ‘MOTHER’

* Mother’s contribution in my life.

* Mother : A multi-tasker, symbol of selfless & unconditional love.

* Respect parents, duty to look after them.

* Add your own points.

5) Write a blog in a proper format on “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” with the help of the following 

points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Keeping our environment clean and green is our responsibility.

* Green city / Village : Clean city / Village our motto.

* ‘Cleanliness campaign / Swachcha Bharat Abhiyaan etc. should be organised regularly.

* Cleanliness : A weapon to prevent epidemics, pandemics, diseases etc.

* Add your own points.

6) Prepare a blog in a proper format on “Corona Virus : Prevention is better than cure” to create health 

awareness in society with the help of the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Inculcate good habits like washing hands, using sanitizers etc.

* Health care is the key.

* Statistical data about the pandemic disease.

* Need to fight collectively against this threat.

 Add your own points.

7) Write a blog in a proper format on ‘Plight of farmers in India’, with the help of the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* India is an agrarian country.

* Farmers are backbone of our society, culture.

* Plight of farmers & natural calamities, no prices for their crops / yield.

* Farmers suicide in Maharashtra and other states .

* Add your own points.

8) Prepare a blog in a proper format on the topic “Media : A double edged sword” with the help of the

following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* Media : Social media like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter are fastest means of

communication.

* Authentic Reliable information is senders responsibility.

* Can be effective if use it constructively for a cause / purpose.

* Add your own points.

9) Write a blog in a proper format on the topic, “India of my dreams” with the help of the following

points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* India : developing country to developed country.

* Challenges before our nation.

* Development in all fields, growth.

* India : A superpower in coming years.

* Add your own points.

10) Prepare a blog in a proper format on “Health is wealth”, with the help of the following points.

(Write in about 100-150 words)

* One must keep himself / herself fit and healthy.

* Regular exercise, Yoga, Meditation, walking, running.

* Proper balanced diet is must.

* Healthy mind resides in Healthy body.

* Add your own points.

Activities Compiled by 

TUSHAR J BAGWE

K J SOMAIYA COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMMERCE VIDYAVIHAR EAST MUMBAI 77

E Mail IDs : tushar@somaiya.edu

tushar8bagwe@gmail.com

jaisinghtushar 812@gmail.com

110970.bagwe@mahaeschool.co.in

Facebook page

https://plustwolevel.blogspot.com/?m=1

                            The blogger

DRAFTING A VIRTUAL MESSAGE

                     DRAFTING A VIRTUAL MESSAGE 

                [FOR QUE.NO 4(A): 04 MARKS]

FORMS OF COMMUNICATION:

1) Oral 

2) Written

3) Virtual 

A message is an informal means of communication. The receiver of the message has to go through the given message and pick out the most vital bits of information.

TYPES OF MESSAGES;

I) POSITIVE MESSAGES:

Good feelings, thanks, greetings, appreciation, expression of interests, sympathy, extended help, solace.

II) NEGATIVE MESSAGES:

Disappointment, disapproval, dissatisfaction, disagreement, denial, refusal, cancellations etc.

III) NEUTRAL MESSAGES: 

No feelings, no emotions, no sentiments, dry, messages showing neither joy nor sorrow, messages without any conclusion etc.

IV) PERSUASIVE MESSAGES:

act that communicates persuasively ,agreement on the writer's point of view, use of convincing language or words.

SAMPLE ACTIVITY NO 01.

Rajat comes home from school/college  and finds the door locked. Since he has a duplicate key he enters and finds a note from his mother kept on the table. In it, she explains that she had to rush to the hospital with Mrs, Manohar ,their neighbour who had met with an accident, she has also written that he should have the rice and curry kept on the dining table for lunch. He could heat the food in the microwave oven if he wanted to, but he should be very careful while handling the switch.

Draft a message which Rajat's mother left for him.

FORMAT FOR DRAFTING A VIRTUAL MESSAGE:

• Date
• Time
• Name of a person to whom the message is directed
• Body of the message
• Name of the writer/sender 

POINTS TO REMEMBER FOR DVM

• Only the most important points.
• No new information
• Grammatically correct
• Indirect or Reported speech
• Use of simple language without abbreviations
• Rough draft
• Be friendly and polite
• Be clear, concise, precise avoid ambiguity.

WORD LIMIT:   50 WORDS [ ALL POINTS SHOULD BE COVERED]

SAMPLE ANSWER 

Date: 17 th January 2022.

Time 10.45 a.m.

Dear Rajat,

Mrs. Manohar (our neighbour) has met with an accident.

I am rushing to AIMS Hospital with her as Mr. Manohar is out of  station due to his office work. I have kept rice and curry on the 

dining table for your lunch. Heat it in the microwave. Be careful while handling the oven and switch. Don’t worry I will be back at the

earliest. I called Mrs. Manohar’s relative. Take care.

Mom

SAMPLE ACTIVITY NO 02.

You are Madhura, a personal secretary to Mrs. Kapoor. She was away attending a meeting when Mr. Banerjee rang up. You spoke to him and jotted down his message in your notepad.

Draft a message for Mrs. Kapoor using the information in your notes given below.

    

    [ Mr. Banerjee-rang up - 11.45 am - has received the   documents, tenders-coming tomorrow-to thank Mrs Kapoor 

-  hand over the cheque.]

SAMPLE ANSWER 02

Date:26th July 2021

Time:11.45 am.

Madam,

Mr. Banerjee rang up at 11.45 am in the morning while you were away attending the meeting. He said he had received the documents, tenders and would come tomorrow to express his gratitude to you. He said he would also hand over the cheque to you personally.

Madhura.  

( Personal Secretary)

SAMPLE ACTIVITY NO 03

Template for completion Activity

MARKING SCHEME FOR DRAFTING VIRTUAL MESSAGE:

• Content (C): 02 Marks
• Sequence/flow of ideas (S/FI): 01 Mark
• Appropriateness/Language correctness( A/Lc): 01 Mark 

 

FYJC/ HSC ORAL QUESTION PAPER 

 K.J.SOMAIYA COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMMERCE
    VIDYAVIHAR EAST 
 F.Y.J.C. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ORAL QUESTION PAPER 1 MARKS: 20

*LISTENING AND WRITING SKILL:                                                  (10 MARKS)
1. The principal of our college is a woman of principles.                             (01)
2. The rich man reached the airport in time.                                                                                                                                                                                              (01)
3 The clerk checked all the cheques deposited in the bank.                                                                                                                                                                  (01)
4. The hotel maid made a cheese sandwich for the guests.                                                                                                                                                                    (01)
5. Peace is more precious than a piece of land                                                                                                                                                                                        (01)

* EXTRACT WITH QUESTIONS:                                                                                                                                                                                           (05)
Once Akbar was presented with a bottle of perfume. While applying  it, a drop fell on the floor. He instinctively bent down and rubbed the spot with his fingers. Suddenly he noticed  that   Birbal had seen him do so and therefore, Akbar announced in his Darbar,” Let the Fountains be filled with perfume for six days.”

Akbar noticed that Birbal was not impressed and he insisted that Birbal tell him the reason.
Birbal replied: “Respect gone with a drop cannot be replaced by filling tanks”

Q.1.What announcement did Akbar make?                                                                                                                                                                                                 (01)
Ans:  (Let the fountains be filled with perfume for six
Days.)

Q.2.What did Akbar do when the drop of perfume fall on the floor?                                                                                                                                                   (02 ) Ans:(Akbar bent down and rubbed the spot with his fingers.)

Q.3.Why wasn’t Birbal impressed?                                                          (02)
Ans: (because of Akbar’s announcement in the Darbar that Let
The fountains be filled with perfume for next six days.)

*SPEAKING SKILL:                                                                    (10 MARKS)
A] Read any poem from the FYJC Revised course book and read at least two stanzas in the Class loudly or tell some student to read it aloud and ask the students following questions.

 Let them Speak in the class.

Eg.                                 Cherry Tree
  Eight years have passed
Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.
“Must have a tree of my own, “I said,
And watered it once and went to bed
And forgot; but cherries have a way of growing,
Though no one’s caring very much or knowing.
And suddenly that summer near the end of May,
I found a tree had come to stay

It was very small, five months child,
Lost in the tall grass running wild.
Goats ate leaves, the grass cutter scythe
Split it apart and a monsoon blight
Shrivelled the slender stem……..Even so,
Next spring I watched three new shoots grow,
The young tree struggle, upward thrust
Its arms in a fresh fierce lust

1)Who is the poet of this poem?                                                               (01)
2)What type of poem is this?                                                                     (01)
3)Find out the seasons mentioned in the extract.                                    (01)
4)Which lines do you like the most? Why?                                                             (01)
5)Give the summary of the stanza.                                                             (01)

B] Teacher asks the students to give a speech on any one of the following topics:                                                                                                                    (05)
[Few examples are given] [One topic for one student]
A} social media: A double-edged sword
B} Save the world, save the environment
C} India of my dreams.
D} A day without mobile phone
E} Reality shows on television: Are they real?                                                          OR
     A}  story telling                                                                                                                                               (05)
     B} recitation of  a poem
     C} narration of  any incident or event
     D} to describe college, Campus, events, memorable moment etc.
     E} to report the celebrations like  republic day/independence day/ teachers’ day, 
           Blood donation camp, Cultural Event, , Cleanliness drive, picnic, nature trek etc. 
     F} to play a role like passenger, doctor, patient, inquiry person etc.
     G} to discuss any topic/group discussion etc. (Two or three students)
     H} to explain the terms: - Plot, Theme, Character, Language, Setting, used in drama.         

Prepared by 
Mr.Anil Bagade
Mr.Tushar J Bagwe

H.S.C BOARD BLUE PRINT AND PAPER PATTERN

 H.S.C. Blue Print & Overall Evaluation

80 Marks

		Distribution of Marks as per the Sections in the Activity Sheet
Sr. No.		Name of the Section			Marks	Marks With Option
1.		Prose			34	34
2.		Poetry			14	14
3.		Writing Skills			16	48
4.		Novel - (As a Genre)			16	16
		Total			80	112
	Distribution of Marks as per the Questions in the Activity Sheet
Sr. No.	Type of the Question		Marks		%	Marks With Option
1.	Objective Type		18		22.50	18
2.	Short Answer Type		36		45.00	36
3.	Long Answer Type		26		32.50	58
	Total		80		100%	112
	Distribution of Marks as per the Objectives in the Activity Sheet
Sr. No.	Name of the Question			Marks	%	Marks With Option
1.	Knowledge and Understanding			33	41.25	33
2.	Application			23	28.75	23
3.	Skills			11	13.25	31
4.	Creativity			13	16.25	25
	Total			80	100%	112

H.S.C. Activity Sheet Format (80 Marks) Subject : Compulsory English

Class - XII

SECTION I  :  Prose

(Reading for Comprehension, Language Study, Summary, Mind Mapping) [16]

Q .1	A)	Read the extract and complete the activities given below : (Seen extract from Section No.1 consisting of 275-300 words)	[12]
	Al)	Global understanding	02
	A2)	Complex factual	02
	A3)	Inference / Interpretation / Analysis	02
	A4)	Personal response	02
	A5)	Language study	02
	A6)	Vocabulary	02
	B)	Language Study (Non - textual Grammar)	[04]
	B1)	Do as directed / Transformation of Sentence	03
	B2)	Spot the error	01
Q.2	A)	Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (Unseen extract consisting of 275-300 words)	[18]
	Al)	Global understanding	02
	A2)	Complex factual	02
	A3)	Inference / Interpretation / Analysis	02
	A4)	Personal response	02
	A5)	Language study	02
	A6)	Vocabulary	02
	B)	Summary Writing:	(03)
		Write the summary of the above extract with a suitable title with the help of the given points/hints.
	C)	Mind Mapping: (03) Develop a ‘Mind Mapping’ frame/design using your ideas / thoughts / concepts to illustrate / develop on the given topic.
		SECTION II - POETRY (POETRY AND APPRECIATION)
Q.3	A)	Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (Seen extract from a poem of about of 10 —15 lines)	[10]
	A1)	Global understanding	02
	A2)	Inference / Interpretative / Analysis	02
	A3)	Personal Response	02
	A4)	Poetic Device	02
	A5)	Creativity (compose 2-4lines)	02
	B)	APPRECIATION Read the extract and write as per the instructions: (Seen extract of 10 — 15 lines from another poem, not asked in Q.3 A) SECTION III (WRITING SKILLS)	(04)
Q.4	Complete the activities as per the instructions given below:		[16]
	A. Drafting Virtual Messages / Statement of Purpose/Group Discussion		(04)
	B. Email / Report Writing/Interview		(04)
	C. Speech / Comparing /Expansion of Ideas		(04)
	D. Review / Blog / Appeal		(04)

Note :

(In A, B, C and D paper setter should frame activities on all types in each set as options. Students are required to attempt any one activity from each set)

SECTION IV
( LITERARY GENRE — NOVEL )	[16]
Q. 5 (A) Complete the activities given below as per the instructions:	(04)
1. Activities on History of English Novel	02
2. Activities on History of English Novel	02

(Activities to be framed on MCQ / Match the columns/Chronological order / Fill in the Blanks / True False/Elements of Novel OR any other novel activity) (Activities should not be repeated in the sub-questions)

(Please Note : Activities in Q.5 A should be framed on textbook content no. 4.1)

(B) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below : (04)

(Questions to be framed on elements such as Plot / Structure / Theme / Setting / Language / Character)

1. Describe / Explain / Compare / Contrast / Name / Discuss 02

2. Illustrate / Interpret / Narrate / Justify / Find / Identify 02

(Please Note: Activities in Q.5 B should be framed on textbook content no. 4.2)

(C) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below : (04)

(Questions to be framed on elements such as Plot / Structure / Theme / Setting / Language / Character)

1. Describe / Explain / Compare / Contrast / Name / Discuss 02

2. Illustrate / Interpret / Narrate / Justify / Find / Identify 02 (Please Note: Activities in Q.5 C should be framed on textbook content no. 4.3)

(D) Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below: (04)

(Questions to be framed on elements such as Plot / Structure / Theme / Setting / Language / Character)

1. Describe / Explain / Compare / Contrast / Name / Discuss 02

2. Illustrate / Interpret / Narrate / Justify / Find / Identify 02 (Please Note: Activities in Q.5 D should be framed on textbook content no. 4.4)

Note / instructions for paper setters:

Q. 1 to Q.4 are purely activity based questions.

Grammar activities should be functional (in activity format) and not in a plain instruction based type.

In case of mind mapping - the model answer will be just for reference and cannot be treated as exact.

Activities should not be repeated by any means throughout the activity sheet. Varieties/Novel activities are expected throughout the activity sheet.

Sec V - Q.5 B, C, D are purely memory based questions. Though varieties of options are mentioned at each place, similar format should not be repeated throughout Section V.

Activities prepared by

TUSHAR J BAGWE

K J SOMAIYA COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMMERCE VIDYAVIHAR EAST MUMBAI 77

E Mail IDs : tushar@somaiya.edu

tushar8bagwe@gmail.com

jaisinghtushar 812@gmail.com

110970.bagwe@mahaeschool.co.in

Facebook page

https://plustwolevel.blogspot.com/?m=1