Introduction
The SBI PO 2025 Descriptive English Paper is a crucial part of the Mains Examination, testing candidates’ ability to write a structured essay and a well-formatted letter within 30 minutes. The section carries 50 marks, and even small mistakes can significantly impact your score.
To maximize your chances of scoring high marks, it’s essential to be aware of common mistakes that candidates often make and learn how to avoid them.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ The top mistakes made in Essay & Letter Writing
✅ How to avoid these mistakes
✅ Best practices to improve your writing
Common Mistakes in SBI PO 2025 Essay Writing
1. Poor Structure & Lack of Organization
Mistake: Writing without a clear introduction, body, and conclusion leads to an unstructured essay.
✅ Solution: Follow a 3-paragraph format:
✔ Introduction – Define the topic and present your thesis.
✔ Body – Explain key arguments with examples.
✔ Conclusion – Summarize and provide a final thought.
2. Going Off-Topic
Mistake: Many candidates deviate from the main theme, making their essay irrelevant.
✅ Solution:
✔ Understand the topic carefully before writing.
✔ Stick to the core idea and avoid unnecessary details.
3. Using Informal Language
Mistake: Essays require a formal tone, but some candidates use casual or conversational language.
✅ Solution:
✔ Avoid slang, abbreviations, or contractions like “gonna” or “can’t.”
✔ Use professional and formal language instead.
🚫 Example (Wrong): “Govt should help small businesses grow fast.”
✅ Example (Right): “The government should implement policies to support small businesses and enhance economic growth.”
4. Lack of Coherence & Flow
Mistake: Jumping between ideas without logical flow confuses the reader.
✅ Solution:
✔ Use connectors like “Furthermore, However, Therefore, In conclusion” for a smooth transition.
✔ Stick to one main idea per paragraph.
🚫 Example (Wrong): “Digital banking is growing. Cybersecurity is a concern. AI is also used in banking.”
✅ Example (Right): “With the rise of digital banking, cybersecurity has become a growing concern. Moreover, banks are adopting AI to enhance security measures.”
5. Exceeding or Falling Short of the Word Limit
Mistake:
- Writing too little (<200 words) → Shows lack of depth.
- Writing too much (>300 words) → Risk of going off-topic.
✅ Solution:
✔ Aim for 250 words ± 10%.
✔ Practice timed writing to adjust content length accordingly.
6. Spelling & Grammar Mistakes
Mistake: Frequent grammatical errors and incorrect spellings reduce clarity and professionalism.
✅ Solution:
✔ Proofread your essay in the last 1-2 minutes.
✔ Use simple sentence structures to avoid errors.
✔ Read your essay aloud in your mind to catch mistakes.
🚫 Example (Wrong): “The affect of climate change is severe.”
✅ Example (Right): “The effect of climate change is severe.”
Common Mistakes in SBI PO 2025 Letter Writing
1. Choosing the Wrong Letter Type
Mistake: Candidates sometimes use an informal tone in a formal letter or vice versa.
✅ Solution:
✔ Formal Letter: Use professional tone & structure (for banks, government officials, companies).
✔ Informal Letter: Use a friendly tone (for friends, family).
🚫 Example (Wrong in Formal Letter): “Hey, hope you are doing great!”
✅ Example (Right in Formal Letter): “I hope this letter finds you in good health.”
2. Not Following the Correct Format
Mistake: Improper structuring leads to lower scores.
✅ Solution: Use the correct format:
Formal Letter Format
📌 Sender’s Address
📌 Date
📌 Receiver’s Address
📌 Subject (One-line summary)
📌 Salutation (Respected Sir/Madam)
📌 Body (3-4 short paragraphs)
📌 Closing (Yours sincerely/faithfully)
🚫 Example (Wrong): Writing subject after the salutation.
✅ Example (Right): Place the subject before the salutation.
3. Word Limit Issues
Mistake: Writing too long (>200 words) or too short (<100 words).
✅ Solution:
✔ Keep the letter concise (~150 words).
✔ Avoid unnecessary elaboration.
4. Poorly Defined Purpose
Mistake: The letter’s main objective is unclear or takes too long to get to the point.
✅ Solution:
✔ Clearly state the purpose in the first paragraph.
✔ Example: “I am writing to formally request an increase in my ATM withdrawal limit.”
5. Unclear Closing Statement
Mistake: Ending the letter without a proper conclusion or call to action.
✅ Solution:
✔ Formal Letter: End with “Looking forward to your response.”
✔ Informal Letter: End with “Hope to see you soon!”
Final Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
✅ 1. Read the Question Twice – Understand the topic properly.
✅ 2. Use Simple, Formal Language – Avoid jargon or casual tone in formal writing.
✅ 3. Stick to the Word Limit – Essay (~250 words), Letter (~150 words).
✅ 4. Maintain Proper Structure – Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
✅ 5. Proofread in the Last 1-2 Minutes – Catch spelling/grammar mistakes before submitting.
✅ 6. Practice Regularly – Write one essay & one letter daily to improve.
Conclusion
Avoiding common mistakes in essay and letter writing can significantly improve your SBI PO 2025 Descriptive English score.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✔ Follow a structured approach for essays & letters.
✔ Avoid informal tone in formal writing.
✔ Stick to word limits and logical flow.
✔ Use correct grammar & vocabulary.
✔ Proofread to eliminate last-minute errors.
By implementing these strategies, you can maximize your marks and enhance your chances of success in the SBI PO 2025 Descriptive Paper.
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