Tips to write an effective essay
The essay writing UPSC paper is the ultimate game-changer for UPSC CSE. The low and the high scores in Essay papers are indicate by a great range from 25 to even 180. The UPSC checks the following qualities by incorporating this paper in the Mains examination:
- Analytical ability & the ability to solve problems.
- Construct and present arguments.
- Structure and present ideas (Novel ideas and not borrowed concepts).
- Scientific temper; rational thinking; critical mindset; ethical values.
- Command over the subject matter.
- Persuasion skills; interpersonal communication skills; decision-making.
- Test your scope of thinking whether you are unidimensional or multidimensional.
But how to give a good start to essay writing for IAS? Let’s dig in deep.
Breaking down the UPSC CSE Essay syllabus
“Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”
That’s what UPSC states as the syllabus for the essay paper. Since no proper syllabus is stated, so aspirants find it difficult to write an essay.
Tips – How to give a good start to essay writing for IAS
- Make sure that while you are choosing a topic, you pick a topic you are familiar with, are comfortable in writing about, and are diverse and through which you can pitch novel ideas and not merely borrowed concepts to the examiner.
- Do effective brainstorming. Collect all the ideas, concepts, and evidence at one point for a quick response. This makes the skeleton of the essay or the framework of the essay. Those who don’t do good brainstorming, won’t be able to write a good essay.
Also Read: What is the best way to prepare for Mains answer writing?
You can use techniques such as:
- Listing – Create a list of all the stakeholders.
- Systems Analysis – Identifying the elements of the system, the links, and then the flows.
- Organic approach – You can deal with an essay from a past, present, or future perspective.
- Subjective/Contextual mindset – Take points from subjects such as political, social, economic, legal, cultural, ethical, and technological.
Concentric- Viewpoint technique – Building mutually-exclusive sub-topics around the given topic. This is usually helpful in abstract topics. For eg – Say the topic is “An eye for an eye can make the whole world blind”; sub-topics can be exploitation, war, undue competition, or retribution.
Other tips
Tip #1. Focus on the topic
Beating a lot around the bush might lessen your chances of fetching handsome marks on the essay paper. The more you stay on and around the topic, the better it is. Do not disarray from the topic.
Tip #2. Give a structure to your essay
A good essay always has a natural corollary. It should be well-structured i.e the ideas, concepts, and evidence should flow properly through it.
Tip #3. Content
An essay should brim with content. An essay shouldn’t be shallow but should have content. It should be in a comprehensive or as UPSC likes to put it an “orderly fashion”.
Tip #4. Effective
Your essay should impact the reader. If your essay makes the examiner think even after the essay has ended, then you are not only in but end up in the top 50-100 with their desired service choice.
Tip #5. Precise expression
Stick to the topic and don’t make unnecessary background noise. The precise expression of your essay will impress the evaluator.
So, these were some of the most lucrative tips – How to give a good start to essay writing for IAS. Happy writing! Need more guidance? Get yourself enrolled in the Essay for UPSC by Eden IAS.
