Quick answer
Article writing class 12 asks you to write 120–150 words on a given topic, with a catchy title, a byline, an introduction, a body and a conclusion. The CBSE English Core syllabus describes the article as descriptive or analytical and based on verbal input. Use the present tense, formal language and a clear point of view.
Indeed, article writing class 12 is one of the high-value tasks in the Creative Writing Skills section, which carries 18 marks in all. Many students lose marks because they write essays instead of articles, or because they ignore the word limit. Therefore, this guide focuses on exactly what the class 12 question wants. In short, it shows the format, the two article styles and the planning method that fits into ten minutes. Additionally, it includes two solved articles and a mistake table. For the basics, read our article writing format guide first.
Key takeaways for article writing class 12
- Word limit: 120–150 words, as listed in the CBSE English Core syllabus.
- Style: descriptive or analytical, based on verbal input.
- Format: title, byline, introduction, body, conclusion.
- Language: present tense, formal tone and precise vocabulary.
- Section weight: Creative Writing Skills carries 18 marks.
Article writing class 12 format
Article writing class 12: descriptive vs analytical
| Point | Descriptive article | Analytical article |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Paint a picture of a place, event or experience | Examine a problem, its causes and solutions |
| Opening | A sensory detail or a scene | A fact or a question that states the problem |
| Body | What you see, hear and feel | Cause, effect and solution |
| Closing | A lasting image | A call to action |
| Key words | vivid, bustling, serene | consequently, therefore, as a result |
How to plan an article in ten minutes
- Read the input. First, underline the topic and the writer’s role. (1 minute)
- Choose the style. If you see “analyse” or “discuss”, pick analytical. (1 minute)
- Note three ideas. Then add one fact or example for each. (2 minutes)
- Write the title and byline. (1 minute)
- Draft the article. Then keep it near 140 words. (4 minutes)
- Proofread. Finally, check tense, spelling and the count. (1 minute)
Solved example 1: analytical article on screen time
Question: Screen time among teenagers is rising fast. As Ria Kapoor, write an article for a magazine.
Analytical article on screen time
Class 12
CAUGHT IN THE SCREEN: HOW TEENAGERS CAN BREAK FREE
By Ria Kapoor
Walk into any teenager’s room, and you will find a glowing screen. Phones, tablets and laptops now fill our free time. Consequently, sleep, reading and outdoor play have shrunk.
Yet the effects are clear. Late-night scrolling reduces sleep, and tired students struggle to focus in class. Moreover, constant notifications break concentration, so homework takes longer. Eyes and necks also suffer.
Solutions exist. For instance, families can set a no-phone hour at dinner. Similarly, schools can teach digital habits. Students can switch off notifications while they study.
In short, technology is a tool, not a master. If we use it wisely, we will keep our time and our health.
Solved example 2: descriptive article on a local market
Question: Describe a busy local market in an article for a school magazine. You are Arjun Rao.
Descriptive article on a local market
Class 12
A MORNING OF COLOURS AND VOICES
By Arjun Rao
At six in the morning, the Sunday market in our town wakes up. Soon, vendors stack red tomatoes, green beans and golden mangoes into neat pyramids. The air smells of fresh coriander and hot jalebis.
Meanwhile, customers move slowly through the narrow lanes. A flower seller calls out her prices, while a boy balances a basket on his head. Nearby, an old cobbler hums a tune as he mends a sandal.
By ten, the crowd thins, and the lanes grow quiet again. Yet the market leaves a sweet memory, a reminder that simple places hold great charm.
Strong openings and closings
| Type | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Have we forgotten how to sit in silence? | The answer lies in our daily choices. |
| Fact | Nearly every teenager owns a smartphone. | Use it, but do not let it use you. |
| Scene | The bell rang, but the library stayed full. | Reading is alive, if we nurture it. |
| Contrast | We live in a connected world, yet we feel alone. | Real connection begins offline. |
Likely topics and ready plans
In fact, class 12 topics usually come from current social issues or everyday experiences. Therefore, the table shows how to turn a topic into a plan in under a minute.
| Topic | Style | Idea 1 | Idea 2 | Idea 3 (solution) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising stress among students | Analytical | Exam pressure | Lack of sleep | Talk to counsellors, balance hobbies |
| Plastic waste in cities | Analytical | Blocked drains | Harm to animals | Cloth bags, segregation |
| A festival in your town | Descriptive | Decorations and lights | Food and crowds | The feeling at night |
| Importance of reading | Analytical | Builds vocabulary | Improves focus | Library hours, book swaps |
| A railway station at dawn | Descriptive | Sounds and smells | People and bags | The first train leaves |
| Road safety | Analytical | Speeding | Helmets ignored | Awareness drives, strict rules |
Therefore, learn the pattern, not the topic. Every analytical plan has a problem, a cause and a solution. Similarly, every descriptive plan has a scene, a detail and a feeling.
How examiners mark an article
| Area | What they look for | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Title, byline, three clear parts | Write the title and byline first |
| Content | Ideas linked to the topic and the input | Use all facts in the input |
| Accuracy | Grammar, spelling, punctuation | Check subject-verb agreement |
| Fluency | Smooth flow and a formal tone | Add one linker per paragraph |
Schools set the exact marks, so confirm the split in your own paper. However, these four areas appear in almost every marking scheme.
Common mistakes in article writing class 12
| Mistake | Why it costs marks | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Writing 200 words | Exceeds the limit | Plan three ideas only |
| No byline | Loses format marks | Add “By” and a name |
| Using “Dear Sir” | Confuses article with letter | Start with the title |
| Vague ideas | Reduces content marks | Add one fact or example per idea |
| Using slang | Breaks the formal tone | Choose precise, formal words |
| Repeating the question | Wastes words | Add new information |
Vocabulary for article writing class 12
| Purpose | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Show cause | owing to, due to, as a result of, stems from |
| Show effect | consequently, therefore, leading to, resulting in |
| Add a point | moreover, in addition, furthermore, equally important |
| Contrast | however, on the contrary, yet, in contrast |
| Suggest | should, must, can help, it is high time to |
Checklist for article writing class 12
- Title is catchy and under ten words.
- Byline carries the name from the question.
- Introduction states the topic and the stand.
- Each idea has a fact or an example.
- Conclusion gives advice or a closing thought.
- Word count lies between 120 and 150.
Revise the sister format with our report writing class 12 guide, and the main report writing format. Browse more article guides or visit the home page.
Also read
Article writing format: steps, examples and tips
Practise article writing class 12 on a weekly plan
First, write one analytical and one descriptive article each week. Then time yourself to ten minutes of planning and ten minutes of writing. Then compare your draft with the checklist. Moreover, keep a notebook of strong openings and closings. As a result, you will walk into the exam with a ready bank of ideas.
Article writing class 12 FAQs
What is the word limit for article writing in class 12?
The CBSE English Core syllabus lists 120–150 words for article writing.
What is the format of an article in class 12?
Write a title, a byline, an introduction, one or two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Also, use the present tense and a formal tone.
What are the two types of articles in class 12?
The syllabus describes articles as descriptive or analytical, based on verbal input. For example, a descriptive article paints a picture; an analytical article explains causes and solutions.
Should I write my own name in the byline?
Instead, use the name given in the question. If none is given, use a simple name such as Aarav Singh.
How many marks does an article carry in class 12?
The Creative Writing Skills section carries 18 marks in all. The split between tasks can change, so check the latest sample paper.
Can I use headings inside the article?
No. Use paragraphs instead. The title is the only heading.
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