← HCS syllabus
HCS (Haryana)Stage 2: Main Written Examination
Letter and Precis Writing
What the official syllabus says
Main Written Examination, Paper II: Hindi and Hindi Essay (in Devnagri script):
- (ii) Letter/Precis writing.
Topics in detail
Formal letters
- Official letters from one government office to another
- Demi-official letters
- Applications to an authority (for leave, a certificate, a service or redress)
- Letters of complaint to a public authority
- Letters to the editor of a newspaper on a public issue
- Business letters: enquiry, order and complaint
Informal letters
- Personal letters to family and friends: congratulation, condolence, advice, invitation
Format and style of a letter
- Sender's address and date; addressee's designation and address
- Subject line and reference, for official letters
- Salutation and closing words suited to the relationship
- A clear body: purpose first, then details, then the request or conclusion
- Polite, concise and formal language in official letters
Precis writing in Hindi
- Reading a Hindi passage and finding its central idea
- Keeping only the essential points, in one's own words
- Writing one connected paragraph within the word limit set
- Giving a suitable title
- Leaving out examples, repetition and the writer's ornaments
Parts of a letter
| Part | Official or formal letter | Personal letter |
|---|---|---|
| Heading | Sender's office or address, letter number and date | Sender's address and date |
| Addressee | Designation and address of the recipient | Not needed |
| Subject | A one-line subject is required | Not used |
| Salutation | A formal form of address | A form suited to the relationship |
| Body | Purpose, details, request or decision | News, feelings, advice |
| Closing | Formal closing, signature, name and designation | An affectionate or respectful closing and name |
Overlaps
Precis writing is also part of English and English Essay; the method is the same in both languages.