An essay paper is a complete golden opportunity that can present a person’s creativity and critical thinking skills along with argument balance. If one does well in this paper, his overall score will jump up greatly. So let’s start writing a good essay as learnt from sources like the UPSC GS mains test series and the Public Administration Foundation course for UPSC.
Why Essay Paper Is Important?
There are two essay papers in the UPSC Mains exam, amounting to 125 marks each. It tests critical thinking that can logically structure ideas and state the thoughts in a few words on varied topics. Whichever the topic is philosophical, social, or administrative-a well-written essay represents clarity of thought and comprehension of the subject.
1. Build a Strong Foundation of Knowledge
Your groundwork forms the basis of great essay writing. Courses like the UPSC Public Administration Foundation course teach you governance, policies, and so many more administrative issues directly through essays.
2. Test Series
- You can’t skip taking a UPSC GS mains test series if you wish to hone your essay writing.
- A UPSC GS mains test series will assist in learning numerous essay topics.
- Take expert advice.
- Learn to time manage and present yourself.
3. Know the Topic Before You Start
- Know what the essay topic is all about.
- Identify the keywords and scope of the topic.
- Choose a topic on which you can express various opinions that can be well-supported with examples and logical reasoning.
4. Plan Before Writing
Plan for 10–15 minutes of outlining the essay. This is done to avoid the logical flow of the essay, which allows crucial points to fall by the wayside.
The outline must have the following elements:
- A hook introduction.
- Body paragraphs containing the major arguments.
- Conclusion- well-rounded.
5. Follow a Structured Format
A clear structure makes your essay interesting and readable. Here is a format to follow:
- Introduction: Use a very effective quote, statistic, or anecdote. Introduce your topic and briefly outline your approach.
- Body: Keep your essay in sections representing multiple perspectives, while using the assistance of examples, case studies, and even historical references when applicable.
- Conclusion: Summarise your arguments. End with an appropriate forward-looking or thought-provoking statement.
6. Examples and Case Studies
Use examples from real life to support your essay, which makes it sound more authentic and credible. You can use examples and case studies from the Public Administration Foundation course for UPSC in terms of governance and policymaking.
7. Language Should Be Clear and concise.
Write in simple formal language. Do not use too much jargon. If you use technical words, explain them briefly. Be clear and coherent.
8. Time for Revisions
End with 5–10 minutes of proofreading your essay for grammar errors, making your sentences flow, and checking that it remains relevant to the subject.
Read More: Public Administration Online Coaching
Things to Avoid While Writing an Essay for UPSC Mains
1. Do Not Plan: The Danger of Randomness
Planning is the backbone of a good essay. Without proper structure, your essay may be a jumbled mess of disjointed thoughts. When you write without a plan, you risk:
- You cannot maintain coherence.
- Critical points are overlooked.
- The flow between paragraphs does not make sense.
An outlined essay will help you ensure each part of it — the introduction, body, and conclusion — has a clear purpose. Begin with understanding what the essay topic is, and try to pinpoint the scope for it. Try to brainstorm your ideas for an essay. In 10–15 minutes, you can produce an outline, which helps you structure your points into a coherent sequence. It’s like a roadmap leading you through writing and keeping your focus on the right thing.
As a sample, when the essay is on governance, a structured plan may include the following:
An introduction providing a justification on why governance in nation-building matters.
A body that dwells on the historical context, key challenges, and examples of successful reforms.
A conclusion that highlights some potential solutions with an optimistic touch.
A good plan makes the essay less just a mess of ideas but an interestingly told story.
2. Lack of Balance: Steer Clear of One-Sided Arguments
The lack of balance in your essay makes you less credible as an author and a thinker. Essays that favor a particular perspective by ignoring other people’s views are always biased and unbalanced. An evaluator from UPSC looks for balanced thinking that reflects a diversity of opinions in the minds, which is exactly what is expected from a civil servant.
To balance the argument:
- Present both sides of the topic.
- Present social, economic, and political aspects of the issue.
- Use case studies and real-life examples to show impartiality.
For example, a paper on technology and society should not only be focused on connectivity and innovation but also highlight the presence of challenges such as data privacy and job displacement. Ending with a balanced view, such as the need for responsible innovation, will ensure that your essay is fair and insightful.
Striking a balance will portray your analytical ability to the reader, besides avoiding the common pitfall of one-sided writing.
3. Overloading of Facts: Quality Over Quantity
Facts and data give authenticity to an essay, but filling it with unrelated or excessive details dilutes quality. Analysis needs to be of prime importance rather than just listing the facts.
Justifying your points with judicious use of facts is essential. For instance,
- Use statistics to point out trends or to highlight the magnitude of an issue.
- Use case studies or historical examples to give meat to a point.
- Avoid obscure data that does not add to the argument.
Overloading a paper with facts without proper discussion confuses readers and disrupts the flow of the essay. Only relevant, impactful information has to be conveyed, which could support the claims made. Writing an essay about climate change does better when including the goals for the Paris Agreement or India’s renewable energy moves rather than listing successive unrelated climate policy initiatives.
One is rescued from three of the worst pitfalls and does not remain planless; balance is also there; otherwise, the essay looks one-sided as well as hollow as one is given much to fill in so that page seems full at least. As you highlight these aspects and the essay has a clear voice and is good and reflective of your analytical power, you make your way smoothly to success under the UPSC Mains Exam.
How ProdEgyIAS Can Help You?
ProdEsyIAS provides customised study material for your UPSC preparation:
- The UPSC Public Administration Foundation course builds your conceptual ability to converse on the topics of governance and public policy.
- The UPSC GS mains test series is a must for regular practice and expert feedback to hone your essay-writing skills.
Conclusion:
Essay writing for UPSC Mains is an art that requires practice, structure, and clarity. A resource like the UPSC GS mains test series with foundational courses like Public Administration added to preparation will help make essays stand out.
Dedication and a proper approach can transform your essay paper into an arm to clear the UPSC examination.
Read More: Public Administration Optional Test Series for UPSC 2024
