My Essay Writing Strategy

UPSC mains syllabus does not have any prescribed syllabus for the essay paper as such. As per the UPSC, “Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”

Essay Writing Basics

The command on medium is important but it is not everything. For English medium, it is not necessary to write N number of phrases or quotes.

Decide the topic very carefully:

• Quickly brainstorm for various facets related to topics. If you can think of, say 10 dimensions without much pain then go for it. Else better to go for other as in the end it’s a game of dimensions. This is true not only for GS based essay but also philosophical topics.
• If you are weak in an area then you should obviously practice it beforehand and still try not to attempt it in Mains.
• If there is option to write an essay on a generic topic then do avoid philosophical essays or those which are views based as your views may be contrary to checker’s views and such risk is not worth it. However, if you go through PYQPs, you will note that number of philosophical topics have increased to as much as 8 out of 8 in 2023 Mains. Therefore, one should devise techniques and templates and practice such topics beforehand.
• Finally, after eliminating topics, select the remaining ones. So, elimination is more important than selection given the increasing abstractness of essay topics lately.

Starting Over:

• Read the selected topics again. There have been instances where candidates have made structure and even wrote 1-2 pages before going for a different topic.
• Start making structure. In case of two essays make structure for first, write the essay and then proceed to next. Writing structures for both essays together is not a write way as there might be points which one might miss while structuring but recall during essay writing.
• 20 minutes for structure 1 and 70 minutes for essay 1. 20 minutes for structure 2 and 70 minutes for essay 2. Your essay will be as good as your structure is.
• With structure, write down introduction and conclusion as well. It is advisable to have 2-3 intro and conclusions prepared well in advance. Use them in tests and be flexible enough to use them in different kind of topics.

Structuring:

• Focus on type of essay. If it is a statement or a question and structure accordingly.

Example: Can tourism be the next big thing for India? You would in general want it to be the next big, so overall theme should be positive. Here structure should deal with:

• Introduction: Tourism in general should be addressed.
• Body: Mention types of tourism as without that essay will be incomplete.
• Together which each type, address how it can be big thing and what can stop the same.
• This is general topic. You need not divide into socio-eco-political dimensions as is advised for abstract topics.
• What already is big thing in India?

Example: Slow and steady wins the race. This is a universally accepted statement. Don’t be adventurous by going against the accepted view. Here structure should deal with:

• Socio-eco-political and other dimensions.
• If it is written just as such then chances are that you will lose the plot as well as the flow.
• In such views-based essay, one needs to have multiple dimensions. If you are writing 10 pages then you should have at least 15 views.
• This gives you favorable chance to be in view with checker even if he she disagrees with you on 5 views.

10 Pages of Essay Should Have:

• Introduction: Half page introduction (1-2 paragraphs). It can be generic or keyword definition based or anecdote based. Either way, it should be crisp (Write concisely) and not more than half page so that you can start with actual topic on the very first page itself and examiner does not have to wait for the same. I have prepared a list of 20 anecdotes based on lives of famous personalities and same shall be provided to you. Do not write anecdote just for sake of it. Bring it back in essay at least once, in body or at least in conclusion!

Example: Science and technology are panacea for growth and security of nation

Introduction: “Growth and security are two most important jewels in a crown of a nation. These can be achieved by different means. Science and technology have been important ones since ages but in current scenario these are looked as a panacea…..”

• Historical Background: 1 paragraph historical background. Be very careful and keep it crisp and relevant. Do not flow with the flow and digress from the topic. Write concisely.
• Hit the topic ASAP, preferably in the last line of the first page or first line of the second page. Remember what UPSC has mentioned in its direction. Write concisely.
• Main Essay Body 6-7 Pages:
  • One dimension-one paragraph to ensure effective and exact expression.
  • Interlink two or more dimensions to ensure that content is arranged in an orderly fashion.
  • One page conclusion.

Flow of Essay:

• It is the most important part of essay writing. My learnings from the essay on “Competition is bane or boon for youth of India” wherein I scored 150 marks.
• Flow should be maintained within a paragraph (1 idea per paragraph).
• Between two paragraphs (end 1 paragraph with a view that is to be continued in the next paragraph). Link last line of previous paragraph and first line of current.
• Flow should be maintained between two dimensions like socio-economic. Use connectors such as:
  1. 1. Question Based: Is the sociological dimension all or there are other dimensions as well? Let us discuss the political dimensions.
     2. Let us See: Having seen the sociological dimensions, let us see the political dimensions.
     3. Expanding our Perspective: Having explored the sociological dimensions, expanding our perspective to the political dimensions reveals...
     4. Shifting our Focus: While the sociological aspects are significant, shifting our focus to the political dimension highlights...
     5. Delving Into: After delving into the sociological impacts, it is also crucial to examine the political ramifications...
     6. Turning To: Turning to the political dimension, we find that...
     7. Broadening the Discussion: Broadening the discussion from sociological to political dimensions, we notice that...
     8. A Related Dimension: A related dimension to this sociological discussion is the political aspect, which...
     9. From a Different Viewpoint: From a different viewpoint, the political dimensions also play a crucial role in...
     10. Considering Another Facet: Considering another facet, the political implications are...
     11. Moving Beyond: Moving beyond the sociological perspective, the political dimension offers further insights...
     12. Integrating Insights: Integrating insights from the sociological discussion with political analysis, we observe...
     13. Beyond the Surface: Beyond the surface of sociological issues lies the political dimension, where...
     14. From Another Standpoint: From another standpoint, the political implications add depth to our understanding of...
     15. Transitioning To: Transitioning from the sociological to the political dimension, it becomes evident that...

World View Dimension:

• Even if topic is India specific, it is worth to mention world view.
• It is generally written after different dimensions specific to India are over.

Example: Science and technology are panacea for growth and security of nation. This essay would completely change once you mention world view after the Indian specific dimensions.

Anti-view or Limitations or Challenges:

• 1 page before conclusion should be dedicated to the anti-view or the challenges or the “what more is needed” aspect of a topic.
• This should be written before conclusion as write after this dimension, one can write solutions in brief and proceed for conclusion. This generates a natural flow in essay.
• Be subtle and do not completely negate the stance taken so far in previous 8 pages of the essay.

Conclusion:

• Remember to maintain continuity between previous paragraph and concluding paragraph.
• It should not begin all of a sudden.
• Advisable to end with phrases for an ending punch in form of quotes. I have prepared a list of 20 quotes from famous personalities. The quotes are from same personalities on whom anecdotes have been shared above. I have intentionally done this so that there is coherence and link between essay introduction (anecdote) and conclusion (quote).
• One should prepare conclusion themes beforehand. For example, I used to use Ostrich theme in conclusion and write:

“Now it is upon us, whether we dig our heads in sand and believe that problem does not exist or tackle the challenges head-on”

• Similar to above, I have prepared 20 conclusion themes.

Presentation:

• Ensure zero cutting.
• No short forms. Or, if you want to write short forms, then write in a way it is done in editorials.
• Spacing between paragraphs.
• Alignment should be proper.
• Underline important lines or keywords (max 1 per paragraph).

Trick:

• UPSC gives you about 10 topics. You have to answer 2. What about left over topics?
• Use other statements in your essay!!! It will show the examiner that you are aware in such tensed situation and will give your essay the x-factor.
• Also, to play with psyche of examiner, write the essay topic, on which you are writing a particular essay, at least 3-4 times in the essay to paint a narrative that you are on track and that you are addressing the demand of the topic. This will help you big time when you unintentionally digress from the topic.