What Is a Notice?

A notice is a formal written communication used to inform a group of people about an event, instruction, rule, or announcement. Notices are displayed on notice boards, published in newsletters, or circulated digitally to reach their intended audience.

In academic settings, notice writing is a key component of English language examinations, including Cambridge IGCSE, ICSE, CBSE, and various international curricula. It tests your ability to communicate information concisely, formally, and effectively.

Unlike letters or essays, notices must be brief, clear, and follow a specific format. They are designed to be read quickly and understood immediately.

Why Notice Writing Matters for Students

Notice writing appears frequently in examinations and carries significant marks. More importantly, the skills involved — concise communication, formal tone, structured presentation — are transferable to professional life.

Employers value people who can communicate information clearly and efficiently. Mastering notice writing as a student builds a foundation for professional communication skills you will use throughout your career.

The Standard Notice Format

Every notice follows a consistent format. Here is the structure you should use:

[NAME OF INSTITUTION/ORGANISATION]
                    NOTICE
Date: [DD Month YYYY]

                [TITLE OF NOTICE]

[Body of the notice — 50 to 80 words for exams]

[Name]
[Designation]

Breaking Down Each Element

1. Name of Institution

This appears at the top and identifies where the notice originates. In school contexts, this is typically the school name.

Example: GREENWOOD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

2. The Word “NOTICE”

This must appear prominently, usually centred, to immediately identify the document type.

3. Date

The date when the notice is issued. Use the format DD Month YYYY (e.g., 26 February 2026). In exams, use the date given in the question or write a plausible date.

4. Title

A brief, descriptive heading that tells readers what the notice is about. Keep it under 10 words.

Good titles:

• ANNUAL SPORTS DAY — CHANGE OF DATE
• INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITION
• LOST AND FOUND: SCHOOL LIBRARY BOOKS

5. Body

The main content of the notice. It should answer the essential questions:

• What is happening?
• When will it take place? (date and time)
• Where will it happen? (venue)
• Who is it for? (target audience)
• Why is this notice being issued?
• How can people participate or respond?

For exam purposes, keep the body between 50 and 80 words. Be concise but include all necessary information.

6. Name and Designation

The notice ends with the name and title of the person issuing it.

Example: Priya Sharma Head Prefect

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write a Notice

Step 1: Read the Question Carefully

In exams, underline the key information in the question:

• Who is writing the notice?
• What is the occasion or purpose?
• Who is the target audience?
• Are there specific details to include?

Step 2: Identify the Key Details

List all the essential information that must be included. Use the 5W+1H framework: What, When, Where, Who, Why, How.

Step 3: Write the Title

Create a clear, attention-grabbing title in capital letters. The title should convey the main message at a glance.

Step 4: Draft the Body

Write the body in a formal, impersonal tone. Use third person (avoid “I” or “we” where possible). Include all essential details in a logical order.

Step 5: Add the Format Elements

Complete the notice with the institution name, date, your name, and designation. Ensure the layout looks like a notice, not a paragraph of text.

Step 6: Check Word Count and Clarity

For exams, keep within the word limit. Read your notice once more to ensure nothing is missing and every sentence adds value.

Notice Writing Examples

Example 1: School Event Notice

RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

        ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2026

The school's Annual Cultural Festival will be held on Saturday, 
15 March 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Main Auditorium 
and school grounds. Students from all year groups are invited 
to participate in dance, music, drama, and art competitions. 
Registration forms are available from class teachers and must 
be submitted by 5 March 2026. Parents and guardians are welcome 
to attend.

Aisha Patel
Cultural Secretary

Example 2: Competition Notice

ST. XAVIER'S ACADEMY
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    INTER-HOUSE ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION

An Inter-House Essay Writing Competition will be held on 
Wednesday, 12 March 2026, during the 5th and 6th periods in 
the Examination Hall. Students of Classes 9–12 are eligible 
to participate. The topic will be announced on the day of 
the competition. Each house may nominate a maximum of five 
participants. Interested students should contact their 
respective House Captains by 7 March 2026.

Marcus Lee
English Department Head

Example 3: Lost Property Notice

OAKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

        LOST AND FOUND — FEBRUARY 2026

A number of unclaimed items have been collected by the school 
office during February, including water bottles, lunch boxes, 
stationery, and two school blazers. Students who have lost 
personal belongings are requested to visit the school office 
between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM to identify and collect their 
items. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity after 
14 March 2026.

Jennifer Brooks
Administrative Officer

Example 4: Meeting Notice

CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING — MARCH 2026

A Student Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 March 
2026, at 2:30 PM in the Conference Room (Block B, Room 201). 
All elected council members are required to attend. The 
agenda includes planning for the End-of-Year Celebration 
and reviewing the canteen improvement proposals. Members 
unable to attend must inform the Secretary by 3 March 2026.

David Kim
Student Council President

Example 5: Excursion Notice

HILLSIDE ACADEMY
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    EDUCATIONAL TRIP TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

An educational trip to the National Science Museum has been 
organised for Year 9 students on Friday, 21 March 2026. 
The bus will depart from school at 8:30 AM and return by 
3:30 PM. The cost is $12 per student, covering transport 
and entry. Permission slips and payment must be submitted 
to class teachers by 14 March 2026. Students without signed 
permission slips will not be permitted to participate.

Rachel Tan
Year 9 Coordinator

Example 6: Workshop Notice

LAKEWOOD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    CAREER GUIDANCE WORKSHOP FOR YEAR 11

A Career Guidance Workshop will be held on Thursday, 20 March 
2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Main Hall. Industry 
professionals from medicine, engineering, law, and business 
will share insights about their fields. All Year 11 students 
are expected to attend. Students should prepare two questions 
for the panel discussion. Attendance will be recorded.

Dr Sanjay Gupta
Career Guidance Counsellor

Example 7: Library Notice

WESTFIELD GRAMMAR SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS — FINAL REMINDER

Students are reminded that all library books borrowed before 
January 2026 are now overdue. A fine of $0.50 per day per book 
is being charged for late returns. Students with outstanding 
books must return them to the library counter by 7 March 2026 
to avoid additional penalties. Report cards will not be issued 
to students with unreturned library books. Visit the library 
for queries.

Mrs Helen Clarke
School Librarian

Example 8: Sports Notice

KINGSTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    SWIMMING TEAM TRIALS — SEASON 2026

Trials for the school swimming team will be held on Monday, 
10 March 2026, at 3:30 PM at the school swimming pool. 
Students from Years 8–12 who can swim at least two competitive 
strokes are encouraged to attend. Participants must bring their 
own swimwear, goggles, and towel. A medical fitness certificate 
from the school nurse is required before trials. Sign up at the 
PE Department by 7 March 2026.

Coach Michael Torres
Head of Physical Education

Example 9: Examination Notice

SUNRISE ACADEMY
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    MID-TERM EXAMINATION SCHEDULE — MARCH 2026

Mid-term examinations for Classes 6–10 will commence on 
Monday, 17 March 2026, and conclude on Friday, 28 March 2026. 
The detailed subject-wise timetable is displayed on the main 
notice board and school website. Students are reminded to carry 
only permitted stationery into the examination hall. Electronic 
devices are strictly prohibited. Regular classes will resume 
on Monday, 31 March 2026.

Mrs Fatima Al-Hassan
Examination Coordinator

Example 10: Environmental Campaign Notice

GREENFIELD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                    NOTICE
Date: 26 February 2026

    CAMPUS CLEAN-UP DRIVE — GO GREEN WEEK

As part of Go Green Week, a campus-wide clean-up drive will be 
held on Wednesday, 19 March 2026, during the morning assembly 
period. All students and staff are requested to participate. 
Gloves, bags, and recycling bins will be provided. Students 
are encouraged to wear green. The class with the highest 
participation will receive the Green Champion Trophy. Assemble 
in the school courtyard at 8:00 AM.

Liam O'Connor
Eco-Club President

Common Notice Writing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Exceeding the Word Limit

In exams, notices should typically be 50–80 words in the body. Going significantly over suggests you do not understand the format. Be ruthlessly concise.

2. Missing Format Elements

Forgetting the institution name, date, title, or signatory loses marks for format. Always include every element, even if the question does not explicitly mention them.

3. Using Informal Language

Notices are formal documents. Avoid slang, contractions (don’t, can’t), and casual expressions. Write “students are requested” rather than “hey everyone, please.”

4. Vague Information

A notice that says “the event will be held soon” is useless. Always specify exact dates, times, and venues.

5. Writing in First Person

Avoid “I am pleased to announce.” Instead, use impersonal constructions: “It is announced that” or “Students are informed that.”

6. Including Unnecessary Details

A notice is not an essay. Stick to essential information. Exclude background stories, lengthy explanations, or emotional appeals.

7. Poor Layout

A notice should look like a notice on paper. If it looks like a paragraph without clear structure, you will lose marks for format.

Notice Writing Tips for Exam Success

For IGCSE English

• Follow the format strictly — it carries dedicated marks
• Keep the body between 50 and 80 words
• Use a formal, impersonal tone throughout
• Include all details from the question prompt
• Box or border your notice to make the format visually clear

For ICSE and CBSE

• Word limit is typically 50 words for the body
• Do not count the heading, date, and signatory in the word count
• Put the notice inside a drawn box
• Address the correct audience as specified in the question

For A-Level and IB

• Notices may be part of a directed writing task
• Slightly longer and more detailed than IGCSE level
• May require persuasive elements alongside informational content
• Maintain formal register even when encouraging participation

Notice vs Other Writing Formats

Understanding how notices differ from similar formats helps avoid confusion:

Feature	Notice	Letter	Email	Circular
Length	Very short (50-80 words)	Medium to long	Variable	Short to medium
Audience	General group	Specific individual	Specific individual	Group
Tone	Formal, impersonal	Formal or informal	Varies	Formal
Format	Structured with heading	Address, salutation, body	Subject line, body	Similar to notice
Display	Notice board	Sent/posted	Sent digitally	Distributed
Purpose	Inform a group	Communicate personally	Communicate personally	Instruct/inform

Practice Exercises

Improve your notice writing skills with these exercises:

1. School concert: Write a notice as the Music Club Secretary announcing the annual school concert
2. Book fair: As the School Librarian, write a notice about a three-day book fair
3. Blood donation: Write a notice about a blood donation camp being organised by the school’s Social Service Club
4. New rules: As the School Principal, write a notice about new mobile phone rules on campus
5. Sports day: Write a notice postponing the Annual Sports Day due to weather

For each exercise, follow the standard format, keep within 80 words, and include all essential details.

Get Expert Help with Notice Writing

Notice writing is a scoring topic in exams — mastering the format and style can earn you full marks consistently. Whether you are preparing for IGCSE, ICSE, CBSE, or IB examinations, practice with expert feedback accelerates your improvement.

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