Notice Writing Format, Examples for ICSE IX-X

Question 3 of the ICSE English Language Paper tests your ability to write clear, concise and professional notices and emails, carrying 5 marks each (total 10 marks). This question is integrated—you write a notice about an event or announcement, then compose a formal email related to the same notice, typically inviting someone to participate, judge or attend.

The official CISCE specimen provides specific formats and marking schemes that must be followed carefully. Even small deviations from the prescribed format can cost marks. This guide uses the official Format 3 from CISCE specimen paper 2026, with detailed explanations, marking schemes and fully annotated samples to help you achieve full marks.​

Notice Writing

A notice is a formal written announcement intended to inform a specific group of people about an event, meeting, competition, lost item or important information. It must be brief, precise and written in a specific format that ensures all essential details are conveyed clearly.

Official ICSE Notice Format

Marking Scheme for Notice (Total: 5 marks)

Based on official CISCE specimen:

Component-wise Marks:

Creative Title - 1 mark

• Must be catchy, attention-grabbing
• Better to use an exclamation mark (!) after it
• Must not use words from the question like "story writing"

Descriptive Title - 1 mark

• Specific name of the event
• Clear and informative
• May use words from the question

Date (on...) - ½ mark

• Format: on [date with ordinal] [month] [year]
• Example: on 8th December 2017
• Event date should be at least 7-10 days after the notice date, i.e., exam date.
• Use a date neither too far (like 4 months after exam date), nor too close (like 2 days after exam date), nor a date before exam date.

Time (from... to...) - ½ mark

• Format: from [time] to [time]
• Include a.m. or p.m.
• Example: from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon

Venue (at...) - 1 mark (½ + ½)

• Specific location details
• Both smaller and larger venue
• Example: at Centenary Hall, St. Hilda's School

Body/Content - 1 mark

• All necessary details included in 1-2 sentences
• Eligibility criteria
• Registration details with date
• Contact person
• Complete sentence with proper grammar, generally in passive voice
• Do not write long paragraph.

Total: 5 marks​

Common Mistakes in Notice Writing

Based on CISCE marking patterns:

❌Format Errors:

• Missing creative or descriptive title
• Not using "on/from/at" prepositions before date/time/venue
• Incorrect date format (using slashes like 8/12/2017 instead of 8th December 2017)
• Missing a.m./p.m. in time
• Vague venue (just "school auditorium" without school name)
• Overly broad venue like "Mumbai"

❌Content Errors:

• Vague titles like ‘Burst of Talent’, which could refer to any competition. 
• Using words from the topic such as ‘story’ or ‘writing’ in their creative titles
• Writing excessively long titles / full sentence as title
• Missing eligibility criteria (who can participate)
• No registration deadline mentioned
• No contact person details
• Registration date same as event date (should be 3-4 days before)
• Event date too close to exam date (should be 7-10 days later)

❌Expression Errors:

• Incomplete sentences
• Grammatical errors
• Spelling mistakes
• Missing punctuation

Sample Notice: Inter-School Debate Competition

Question: Your school is hosting an inter-house debate competition. As the Cultural Secretary, draft a notice informing students about the event.