The best sources clearly explain how to write and present Essay effectively, so you don’t need to look elsewhere for help. To do well in essay writing, candidates should follow these methods and apply them to their writing. It’s important to express ideas in an organized and clear way instead of being random or messy. This might be difficult at first, but with some practice and a structured approach, it becomes easier. A format, as shown later in the book, can help you develop the discipline needed to score well.
By working through examples provided in the book’s Part B, candidates can learn how to write essays that earn higher scores. Presentation also plays a key role in achieving better results. The process of writing an essay during the exam can be divided into three phases:
- Preparation: This involves removing irrelevant ideas, breaking down the topic, brainstorming in a structured way, and planning the essay.
- Presentation: Writing the essay in a clear and well-organized manner.
- Revision: Reviewing and refining the essay before submitting it.
With regular practice, these steps can become a habit.
The term “essay” comes from the French word essai, meaning “attempt.” Michel de Montaigne first used this term in the late 1500s to express his thoughts on topics like idleness and agony. Later, in the early 1600s, Sir Francis Bacon, an English essayist, wrote about themes like death, friendship, and studies. An essay is a writer’s analysis or opinion on a subject. It is usually short, written in prose, and can be seen as an experiment or attempt.
However, just knowing this isn’t enough when it comes to writing essays, especially in competitive exams. Writing a good essay requires a systematic and planned approach. The essay should have a clear, logical flow of ideas, covering all aspects of the topic with a strong start and conclusion. For Civil Services Examination essays, the key is to understand the expectations set by the question paper and guidelines in the Gazette.
The Civil Services Essay Question Paper highlights that candidates should:
Show a strong grasp of the subject.
Write ideas that are relevant, concise, logical, and constructive.
Present their thoughts effectively.
The Gazette further emphasizes:
Writing on a given specific topic.
Staying focused on the subject.
Arranging ideas in an orderly way.
Using concise and precise expression.
In short, essay writing for competitive exams demands clear thinking, logical structure, and effective communication, all of which can be achieved through regular practice.
Preparation: Before the question paper is handed out, use the time to create tidy margins on the answer sheet. Reserve the last two pages as “rough work” sections for drafting mental maps (details explained later). After finishing the essay, cancel out the rough work pages.
Weeding: Similar to gardening, weeding in essay writing is about carefully preparing. This step involves scanning the essay topics in the question paper and choosing the one you’re most comfortable with. Often, it’s about rejecting topics that are outside your comfort zone. By the end of this step, narrow down your choices to two potential topics. After further analysis in the next step (Dissection), you might reconsider your choice and opt for the second-best topic if needed.
Go through the topics one by one. Some will spark immediate interest and seem manageable; others might feel unappealing or challenging. Trust your instincts during this initial selection process. Topics that feel “do-able” deserve more thought and attention. Take your time and evaluate each selected topic carefully.
When choosing a topic, consider factors like your prior knowledge or familiarity—topics you’ve studied during your education or for the exam are often better choices. This familiarity boosts confidence and positively impacts your writing.
Regulated Brainstorming: This method helps to recall relevant details stored in your subconscious for familiar topics. However, if none of the essay topics feel comfortable, it’s crucial to stay calm and carefully judge the suitability of each topic.
When analyzing a topic, consider the following mental questions:
Do I understand the topic’s meaning, both word by word and as a whole? For example, in “Preparing Indian society for global leadership,” the main focus should be on social preparedness. While economic, cultural, and political aspects can be included, they should relate to how they impact social indicators and readiness for global leadership.
Can I break the topic into sub-parts? For example, in “Role of media in maintaining communal harmony,” we can split this topic into “Role of media” and “Maintenance of communal harmony.” Each sub-part needs to be understood, and their connection explored. This might include analyzing media’s role in reporting communal clashes, its preventive influence, and the sensitivity required during such situations.
Am I comfortable with the topic’s overall theme? Certain topics, like “Role of Education in Development,” belong to social themes, while others, like “e-Governance,” require a comfort level with scientific concepts. Writing about a theme you’re familiar with helps in expressing ideas effectively. Topics related to your optional subject in exams can further improve clarity and depth.
Do I have enough content to write 1200-1800 words without repeating? First, recall past encounters with the topic during preparation. Now, Let’s explore brainstorming areas (as explained in following sections) to check if we have enough ideas for the essay.
Choose a topic that feels manageable and boosts confidence. Avoid selecting an unfamiliar or overly unique topic just to stand out—it often backfires. Even on common topics, strong and impactful content will help you achieve good marks. Focus on your strengths rather than worrying about others.
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Please go through Previous Year Question Papers | UPSC to practice and understand the nature of questions being asked by UPSC.