Essay Paper Strategy and Resources – by Abhishesk Surana Rank 10 CSE 2017

It is one of THE Most rewarding paper in the Mains Exam.

When I first started preparing I use to wonder how would it be possible to write 1000-1200 words on two topics in 3 hours. Where would I get the content from? How would I frame the argument? My friends who had appeared in CSE before dismissed these doubts as trivial saying that it is one of the easiest paper in CSE which require least preparation compared to the marks you get.

In the hindsight I would say they were partly correct.

For any UPSC aspirant content is not an issue at all. What one study in GS is actually fodder for essay. The challenge here is to recall those ideas in first 20 minutes and frame a coherent and sensible argument. And this demands practice.But this can only take you so far. Once you get a hang of writing 1000 words on a topic you should start working on structuring your content, getting innovative ideas into your essay, giving a broad perspective to a topic, using quotes and anecdotes.

My strategy

• I used to choose a topic which has lots of dimensions to it. Usually this was the topic on which most people were going to write a essay. While there are advocates of choosing a non mainstream topic, it has inherent risk of backfiring. So I would suggest stick to the popular topic.
• Then I use to list down the random keywords and ideas that use to come to my mind as i start thinking on the topic.
• After 5 minutes I will write the questions that I want to answer in my essay- 5/6 of them – this gives structure to your content
• Now for next 10 mins I use to connect my ideas with the questions. I would try to recall any quotes, data points, anecdotes, movies, books, authors, philosophers, leaders that I could relate with the topic
• In this time I also use to frame a coherent argument along with a decent Introduction and conclusion
• Introduction
  • Hook – something catchy – a quote, data point, short story which catches attention
  • thesis – Brief outline of your argument
  • Background – you can give a historical perspective of the issue or define the topic
• Use of rhetorical questions – at times as they help in giving a structure to the essay.
• Use of headings – not more than 3 in an essay, Your essay should look like a editorial in the Hindu
• Use of diagrams – I am not in favour. An essay is test of your language and writing skills in my opinion.
• Dimensions
  • SPECLIH – Social (Education, Health, Women, Children, other vulnerable groups), Political, Philosophy, Environment, Economic, Cultural (beliefs, attitude, values, ethics ), Linguistic/Local, International, Humanistic, history, Governance, Administration
• Stakeholders to Analyse from different perspectives
  • Individual, Family, Community , Society, Nation, Humanity
• Conclusion
  • Suggestion, Reiterate your core argument, Positive, Reserve best for here
  • I would try to use parallelism if i can. For Ex – Read MLK I have a dream speech

Few More Tips

• Choose a topic where you can argue in a reasonable and balanced manner
• Find the spirit of the topic
• Argument should be coherent.
• Present opposite side
• Introductory Hook, Thesis, Background – should be positive unlike “the world is in chaos, or pollution will kill us”
• Avoid using contraction – it’s , should’ve etc
• Use as less numbers as possible. 2/3 should be used as two thirds
• Bring some originality – give your opinion,
• Substantiate each argument with a “why?”
• You can use an anecdote from a movie or a book. The more contemporary it is the better it would be

DON’T FORGET

• WHAT IS BEING TESTED – YOUR VALUE SYSTEM, YOUR CAPACITY TO ARGUE, YOUR PERSONALITY. YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS NOT BEING TESTED
• THERE IS NO RIGHT AND WRONG SIDE IF YOU CAN ARGUE COHERENTLY
• NEVER GIVE SHALLOW ARGUMENT.
• QUANTITY DOES NOT MATTER. IF YOU CAN ARGUE IN CONCISE MANNER, THAT IS EVEN BETTER

2 Essay Approach

• 80 min for each essay then. (60 min for writing + 20 min for thinking)
• First 10 min choose the topic.
• Last 10 min to revise.
• 8-9 pages for each essay
• 
  

My essay notes

• Certain keywords which can be used in essay
• Essay notes
  • There are a set of openings and ending which you can use in various essays
  • for each topic I’ve divided it into
    • Data
    • Issues
    • Importance
    • Suggestion
    • Quotes
  • Since most of the topics are covered in GS, the notes standalone are not sufficient
  • There are ample number of references from movies, philospohers, books etc
• Few articles/speeches as food for thought
• Shabbir sir class notes  – Vajiram
  • A big credit goes to him. I was able to get a decent score in essay for 3 continuous years following his template

Essay workbook I used – courtesy GS Score

Topper’s booklets from previous years

I would say that your efforts should be in the direction to get a above average score and not the highest marks. At times, many have done miserably in this paper by experimenting with topic, structure, language or content. You should adopt a risk free approach and stick to the conventional wisdom.

My best wishes.

-Abhishek

PS – My essay marks 126(2014), 136(2015), 148(2016) and 136(2017)

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