WHAT IS AN ADVERTISEMENT?
An advertisement is a paid, non-personal, public communication about causes, goods and services,
ideas, organisations, people and places, through means such as direct mail, telephone, print media like
newspapers and magazines, radio, television, and the internet. Their content is brief, words limited and
sentences not necessarily grammatically correct. A brief description of the products or services
advertised and contact address/ phone number/ e-mail must be included in advertisements.
An advertisement for the classified columns in a newspaper should be brief as the price to be paid for
the advertisement very much depends on the space taken.
An advertisement is a kind of public announcement asking for or offering services or buying and selling
property, goods, etc. or giving information about missing persons, pets, etc. It is a potent medium
deliberately used to influence the minds, tastes, and even motives of the masses. It is an
announcement made through a popular medium to target a large number of people.
What is a classified advertisement?
A classified advertisement is a small advertisement that you put in a newspaper or a magazine,
usually because you want to sell or buy something or to find or offer a job. It can also be written to rent
out or seek a house on rent. Matrimonial alliance seekers also give classified advertisements in
newspapers.
Classified Advertisement Format
While writing a classified advertisement, one must follow the format because it carries a weightage of 1
mark. A classified advertisement has the following parts –
1. Title / heading – The heading of the classified advertisement is given in the top centre. Generally,
it comprises one or two words. The titles are specific according to the purpose of the classified
advertisement. For example a classified advertisement for giving a space on rent has the title “To
let”, an advertisement for seeking workers will be titled “situation vacant”, a matrimonial
advertisement seeking a wife will be titled “bride wanted”.
2. Body – The body of the classified advertisement comprises the details of the issue at hand. It has
to give out the related important details which are essential first- hand information for the reader
to make an informed decision. Generally, it ends with contact details like name, mobile phone
number, email id or address of the person or organization that has put the advertisement.
TYPE OF
PURPOSE
ADVERTISEMENT
This advertisement is written by an employer who is
SITUATION VACANT
looking for the services of a person in his organisation.
SITUATION WANTED This is written by a job-seeker.
This is written in an attempt to sell property, assets,
FOR SALE
office goods, etc.
This is written by a person looking for tenants for
TO LET
his/her property.
ACCOMODATION Written by the ones looking for a place for
WANTED accommodation.
This is written while looking for prospective marriage
MATRIMONIALS
candidates
This is written in case any object/person/pet goes
MISSING
missing giving descriptive details for the same.
EXAMPLE-1
Situations Vacant/Wanted
Details Required
Give heading ‘Wanted’, ‘Required’, or ‘Situation Vacant’ (as appropriate).
Write the name of the organisation/ company, in the case situation Vacant’.
Indicate the post and number of vacancies.
State the essential qualifications and experience.
Give preferences, if any, such as age limits and gender of the candidate (if
applicable).
Other preferences/ details like pay and perks, mode of applying etc are
optional and may be included where relevant or not obvious.
The contact address and phone number of the advertiser is optional.
EXAMPLE- 2
Sale/Purchase (Property)
Details Required
Begin with For Sale/ Purchase or Available/ Wanted
Type of property/ building
Brief physical description
Fittings and fixtures (optional)
Type of property under consideration (Plot/ Residential / Commercial/
Industrial)
Contact name, phone number/ address/e-mail
Financial aspects/cost (optional)
Area (sq m) and location, size, number of rooms, floors / flat / bungalow etc
Location and surroundings
Facilities – power connection, parking, proximity to business/ shopping area
Format Of Sale/Purchase (Property)
1. Principal, Sunrise Global School, Agra requires a receptionist for her school. Draft a
suitable advertisement in about 50 words to be published in the classified columns of a
national newspaper giving all the necessary details of qualifications and experience
required in the receptionist.
(CBSE 2016)
Answer:
SITUATION WANTED
REQUIRED a young, dynamic, smart, charismatic and friendly female receptionist for
Sunrise Global School, Agra.
Attractive salary with fringe benefits. Healthy work environment.
Fresh graduates having honours or equivalent degree in English with good communication
skills can apply by sending their cover letter and resume till March 30
For queries, contact: 98100XXXXX
2. You are Vikram/Sonia, an Hon’s graduate in history with specialization in Medieval India.
You are well acquainted with places of historical interest in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You
are looking for the job of tourist guide. Write an advertisement in about 50 words for the
situations wanted column of a local newspaper. Your contact no. 999751234.
(CBSE 2017)
Answer:
SITUATION WANTED!
BA (Hons) History topper, Vikram/Sonia, with specialization in Medieval India is looking for
the job of a tourist guide.
Age 22 years. Affluent in Hindi and English. Well-acquainted with places of historical
interest in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Good communication skills, persuasion skills and
charming personality.
Expected salary- 30,000pm.
Contact no.: 999751234
email-id : [email protected].
3. You are Harish/Harshita of 12, Seva Nagar, Pune. You want to sell your flat as you are shifting
to another city for work. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to be
published in The Pune Times under the classified columns.
(CBSE 2018)
Answer:
FOR SALE
Flat No. 12, Seva Nagar, Pune. Ground floor with two bedrooms having attached
bathrooms, car parking available, park facing, best location, friendly neighbours, 24 hour
power and water supply, low maintenance charges and reasonable price.
For further details, contact: Harish/Harshita 98100XXXXX
