What Is a Notice?
A notice is a short, formal written announcement displayed publicly to inform people about an event, rule, or important information. In SPM English, notice writing appears as a directed writing question in Paper 2.
Notices are among the shortest directed writing formats, which makes them seem easy. But students lose marks on format, tone, and completeness more often than you’d expect.
The Correct Notice Format
A proper notice includes these elements in order:
1. Name of the Organisation or Institution
Centred at the top. “SMK TAMAN MELAWATI”
2. The Word “NOTICE”
Centred, in capital letters or bold. “NOTICE”
3. Date
Below the heading, either left-aligned or centred. “15 March 2025”
4. Title/Subject
A clear, concise heading that tells readers what the notice is about. “ANNUAL SCHOOL CHARITY DRIVE”
5. Body
The main content. Keep it brief, formal, and informative. Include:
- What is happening
- When it will happen (date and time)
- Where it will take place
- Who is involved or affected
- What action is required from readers
6. Closing Line
Usually a call to action or instruction. “All students are required to participate.” “For more information, please contact the school office.”
7. Name and Designation
The person issuing the notice. “Ahmad bin Ismail” “Secretary, Student Council”
Sample Notice
SMK TAMAN MELAWATI
NOTICE
12 April 2025
ANNUAL INTER-CLASS DEBATE COMPETITION
All students are hereby informed that the Annual Inter-Class Debate Competition will be held on Saturday, 26 April 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the school hall.
Each class is required to send a team of three debaters. The topic for the preliminary round is: “Social media does more harm than good to teenagers.”
Interested students should register with their class teachers by Friday, 18 April 2025. Late registrations will not be accepted.
All students are encouraged to attend and support their classmates.
Nur Aisyah binti Ahmad Secretary, English Language Society
Language Register for Notices
Notices require formal language. Here are the key conventions:
Use Passive Voice
- “Students are informed that…” (not “We want to tell you that…”)
- “All participants are required to…” (not “You must…”)
- “The event will be held on…” (not “We’re having an event on…”)
Use Formal Vocabulary
| Informal | Formal |
|---|---|
| Come to | Attend |
| Tell | Inform |
| Need to | Are required to |
| Give | Submit / Contribute |
| Ask | Enquire |
| Soon | At the earliest opportunity |
Avoid Contractions
- Write “do not” instead of “don’t”
- Write “will not” instead of “won’t”
- Write “cannot” instead of “can’t”
Be Direct and Concise
Every sentence in a notice should serve a purpose. Don’t add unnecessary descriptions or opinions.
Common Mistakes in SPM Notice Writing
1. Missing Format Elements
Many students forget the organisation name, date, or designation. The format alone can be worth 2-3 marks.
Checklist:
- ☐ Organisation name
- ☐ “NOTICE” heading
- ☐ Date
- ☐ Title
- ☐ Body with all required details
- ☐ Name and designation
2. Too Informal
“Hey guys, there’s a debate competition coming up!” → This is wrong for a notice. Use: “All students are hereby informed that a debate competition will be held.”
3. Too Long
A notice should be 100-150 words in the body. Anything longer and you’re writing an essay, not a notice.
4. Missing Key Information
Always answer: What? When? Where? Who? How? If any of these are in the question prompt but missing from your notice, you lose content marks.
5. Wrong Tone for the Audience
A notice from a student council secretary sounds different from one issued by a principal. Match the tone to the role specified in the question.
Types of Notices SPM May Test
Event Announcement
Informing about a competition, sports day, concert, or ceremony.
Rule or Regulation
Announcing new school rules, library policies, or examination guidelines.
Request or Appeal
Asking for donations, volunteers, or participation.
Cancellation or Postponement
Informing about changes to scheduled events.
Lost and Found / General Information
Practical notices about lost items, schedule changes, or facility closures.
Step-by-Step Approach for Exam Day
- Read the question carefully — Identify who you are (your role), who the audience is, and what information must be included
- Write the format first — Organisation name, NOTICE heading, date, title, name/designation
- Draft the body — Include all required content points from the question
- Check the register — Replace any informal language with formal equivalents
- Proofread — Check for spelling, grammar, and completeness
Need Help with Directed Writing Formats?
Notice writing is just one of several directed writing formats SPM tests. At SPMEnglish.com.my, we cover all formats — notices, letters, reports, speeches, and articles — with practice exercises and model answers. WhatsApp us to strengthen your directed writing skills.
Related Resources
- Directed Writing Formats — All SPM directed writing formats
- Formal Letter Guide — Another key directed writing format
- Report Writing Guide — Reports for SPM
- Speech Writing Format — Speeches for SPM