Advertising is a type of communication whereby people promote or persuade customers to utilize their services. There are two types of advertisements:
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Classified advertisements
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Display advertisements (Commercial Advertisement)
Classified ads will be our subject in this article. Classified ads are called CLASSIFIED ADS because they are CLASSIFIED into different type of categories depending on their functions.
Classified advertisements are advertisements used by the general masses to promote or use services. They are generally text-based ads where newspaper agencies generally charge on the number of words used. So, you can very well imagine that there is no place for precise English sentences here and the only concern is to get things noticed with as minimum words as possible.
Tips for writing Classified Advertisement
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When you're writing an advertisement, every word counts. Being too vague or wordy will cause people to skim your advertisement instead of pausing to read it, so the same writing tenets apply no matter what type of advertisement you're writing.
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It should begin with a heading in bold or upper case letters.
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The language should be according to the audience we are referring to. For example- If you want to sell something to the youngsters, the words chosen shall be good enough to attract them.
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Do not use the same descriptive characteristics for every type of advertisement. For example- In Situation Wanted case, calling for receptionist applications, one must use words that are indicative of the personality and communication skills you are looking for. On the other hand, for hiring a tech executive, it is imperative you ask for skills limited to the IT department.
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Do not make full sentences. The prescribed limit is 50 words and in order to make your advertisement loaded with information about the topic, you have to manage your words carefully.
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Always add contact details in the end either in the form of contact no., email id or both. They are generally given in the question.
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Remember, nowhere in the answer you are required to mention your own personal details.
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It should always be in a box made with sharpened pencil.
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It should be neat and clean with good presentation.
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Practice a lot of advertisements because, “Practice makes the man (or woman, for that matter) perfect” .
Classified ads should be very well covered in a range of around 50 words. Marks will be deducted if the student jumps the word limit. So exercise caution in this regard.
There are several type of classified ads, which are as follows:
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Situation vacant
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To-let
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Sale and Purchase of Property/Vehicles/Goods
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Education institutions promotion
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Missing persons
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Tour and Travels
Now let’s highlight what to include in each type of classified ad.
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Always begin with WANTED or REQUIRED
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Name of the organization must be always present
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Number of vacancies and the post for which advertised should be clearly stated.
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The age and gender of the candidate required.
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Qualification and requisite experience needed for the post.
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Pay scale, perks and also the mode of applying (E-mail, postal, etc)
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Contact address and phone number for correspondence
EXAMPLE
SITUATION VACANT
WANTED a smart, confident P.A./Stenographer for a leading export house. Qualification – graduate, age – 25-30 years. Typing speed 40 wpm, short hand speed 100 wpm. Preference to those who can handle computer. Salary negotiable. Apply with complete bio-data by 20th December to Secretary, Orient Export House, T. Nagar, Delhi. PH: 011-21111111
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Begin with WANTED or AVAILABLE
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Type of accommodation should be mentioned.
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Rent expected
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Give proximity to markets and also indicate whether it’s sun facing, etc.
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Contact address and phone number
EXAMPLE
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
Metals & Minerals Corp. of India needs suitable accommodation on rent to be used as a guesthouse. Should be located in a posh area with excellent facilities. Uninterrupted water & electricity. Nearby market must. Owners please contact R. Lal, Executive Manager, PH: 01123333333.
3. Sale/Purchase of Property/Assets
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Begin with FOR SALE/PURCHASE/WANTED
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Brief physical description
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a. Property – Number of floors, size, number of rooms, location and surroundings.
b. Vehicles – Colour, model, accessories, year, modifications (if any), price, mileage and condition.
c. Household goods – Condition, price offered or expected
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EXAMPLES
FOR SALE
Mukherjee Nagar, DDA flat, ground floor, two bedrooms, car parking available, park facing, best location, reasonable price, contact A. B. Singh #9250556655
FOR SALE
Available Maruti 800, LX, year 1999, self-driven, sparingly used, scratch less, a stereo, air-conditioned, beautiful upholstery, no expenses, contact C. D. Kumar #9350556655
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Name of the institution
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Past record
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Courses offered and their durations
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Eligibility criteria an details of admission test (if any)
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Facilities and fee structure
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Scholarship information
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Last date for registration, etc
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Contact address and phone number.
EXAMPLE
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUITION
IIFL announces the commencement of its courses in Japanese, French and German. Duration – 3months. Eligibility – senior secondary. Excellent faculty. Computerized training. Incentives for early birds. Send in your applications by 1st June, 2012 or contact secretary #9350556655
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Brief physical description of the missing like height, complexion and built.
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Name, age and any health related issues about the missing person
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Clothes, accessories or any other identifying features.
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Tell about the place last seen
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Details of reward if any
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Contact address and Phone number
EXAMPLE
MISSING
GIRL MISSING,Priyanka Khanna, 12 years, 4’3” tall, fair, slim built, wearing black t-shirt and blue jeans since 2.2.2012 from M. G. Road, Gurgaon. Speaks Hindi and English. Informers will be suitably rewarded. Inform M. G. Road Police station #98765432
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Begin with PACKAGE AVAILABLE
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Name of the travel agency
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Destination and duration
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Price and special discounts, if any
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Contact address and phone number
EXAMPLE
TRAVEL AND TOURS
Attractive package available for Mauritius. Three nights, four days. Breakfast and dinner, stay at 3-star hotel, sight-seeing included. Rs. 9999 per person. Special discount for early bookings. Contact Star Travels, 9350556655
QUESTIONS:
Q1. You are General Manager, Hotel Dosa, Gurgaon. You need a lady Front Office Assistant with sound knowledge of computers. She must be a graduate and good in communication skills with pleasing manners. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in Gurgaon Times.
Sol.
Situation Vacant
REQUIRED a female Front Office Assistant with sound knowledge of computers in Hotel Dosa, Gurgaon. The candidate must be a graduate and good in communication skills with pleasing manners. Experienced applicant preferred. Salary negotiable. Interested candidates may submit their Bio-data before 10th March,2013 at Hotel Dosa Reception. For further details contact us at 0xx-xxxxxxxxxx
Q2. You have a three bedroom flat in Dwarka, which you want to let out on rent. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in 'The Times of India', under classified columns. Contact 2758902.
Sol.
For Rent
AVAILABLE for rent a fully furnished, three bedroom flat in Dwarka. A drawing hall and balconies on both sides. 24-hour water and electricity. Parking facility also available. Nearest metro station just 1 km away. For further details contact Mr. RK Sharma, contact number 0xx- 2758902
Q 3. CPR Senior Secondary School, Meerut is looking for a receptionist for the school. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in classified columns of 'Hindustan Times'. You are Romola Vij, Principal of the school.
Sol.
Situation Vacant
REQUIRED a receptionist for CPR Sr. Sec. School. The applicant must have knowledge of computers and good communication skills. Salary upto Rs 12,000/-. Interested candidates may contact Mr. Ramola Vij, the Principal of the school between 10AM to 1 PM, on 11th to 13th March,2012. For details contact 011-xxxxxxxxx
Q 4. You are Mohan/Mohini, General Manager of PK Industries, Hyderabad. You need an Accountant your company. Draft, in not more than 50 words, an advertisement to be published in 'The Hindu' classified columns.
Sol.
Situation Vacant
REQUIRED an accontant at PK Industries, Hyderabad. The candidate must have a degree in accounts and at-least two years working experience. Salary upto Rs 20,000/-. Apply with your Bio-Data and 1 passport size photograph ar PK Industries, 1-C-14 Sitapur, Hyderabad on or before 12th March, 2012 between 10AM to 2PM. Contact Mohit, General Manager, PK Industries.
Q 5. You are Ratan/Rani, General Manager of Hotel Green Park, Lucknow. You need a receptionist for your hotel. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in 'Hindustan Time Lucknow', calling for applications.
Sol.
Situation Vacant
REQUIRED a female Receptionist at Hotel Green Park, Lucknow. The candidate should be smart, expert in communication skills and must have knowledge of computers. Salary negotiable. Contact Ratan, General Manager, Hotel Green Park, Lucknow, 0xx-xxxxxxxxxx
Q 6. Write an advertisement in not more than 50 words for the Lost and Found column of the daily `National Herald', Lucknow stating the loss of your wallet containing a DD for Rs. 32500 and some cash, while traveling by bus from Hazratganj to Nerala Nagar in Lucknow. You are Raman/Roopa, 22 A Hazratganj, Lucknow.
Sol.
Situation Vacant
REQUIRED a female Receptionist at Hotel Green Park, Lucknow. The candidate should be smart, expert in communication skills and must have knowledge of computers. Salary negotiable. Contact Ratan, General Manager, Hotel Green Park, Lucknow, 0xx-xxxxxxxxxx
Q 7. You want to rent out your newly constructed flat in the heart of the city. Draft an advertisement in more than 50 words to be published in 'The Deccan Herald', Bengaluru under classified column Give all the necessary details. You are Mohan/Mahima of Jayanagar, Bengaluru.
Sol.
For Rent
AVAILABLE for rent a fully furnished, three bedroom flat located in the heart of the city, Dwarika. A drawing hall and balconies on both sides. 24-hour water and electricity. Parking facility also available. Nearest Railway station just 1 km away. For further details contact Mr. Mohan, 1-4-C Jayanagar, Bangaluru, contact number 0xx- xxxxxxxxxx
Q 8. You are General Manager of Ivry Software Solutions, Agra Cantt Agra. You need a software engineer for your organization. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in 'The Times of India' under the classified columns.
Sol.
For Rent
AVAILABLE for rent a fully furnished, three bedroom flat located in the heart of the city, Dwarika. A drawing hall and balconies on both sides. 24-hour water and electricity. Parking facility also available. Nearest Railway station just 1 km away. For further details contact Mr. Mohan, 1-4-C Jayanagar, Bangaluru, contact number 0xx- xxxxxxxxxx
Q 9. You are General Manager of EVL company which requires Posh bungalows on company base, as guest houses. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words under classified columns to be published in 'The New India Express'.
Sol.
Accommodation Required
REQUIRED a posh Bungalow for rent in the area of Pratap Nagar, Delhi to be used as company guest house. Bungalow will be rented by EVL company. Bungalow owner may contact Ashish, General Manager, EVL Company, Surat Nagar, Delhi. Contact number 0xxxxxxxxxx.
On the other hand commercial or display advertisement is prepared by leading manufacturers, establishments, organisations etc. for the publicity and promotion of their products, services or some events.
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It is designed for commercial purpose.
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It takes more space and is more expensive in terms of advertising cost.
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These are visually more attractive with varying font, shape and size.
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There are catchy slogans, punch lines with witty expression with pictures or sketches.
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Do not forget to mention the name of the company / institute / organisers, etc.
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Mention the detail of the product / event / educational course etc.
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If there is any special discount.
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Mention the address of the company / institute / organisers, etc.
1. On behalf of M/S Success Tutorials, draft an advertisement to be published in a newspaper to attract the attention of Class XII students who dream of being successful professionals.
2. Draft an advertisement for South Indian restaurant in your area.
3. Draft an advertisement of an Electric showroom opening shortly. Give necessary details
Answers:
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