https://t.

me/UPSCproxy

How to maximize
the score in essay
Smriti Shah
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Agenda of the session

• Why
• What
• How
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Syllabus
Arrange the arguments
Remain as close to the
1 topic as possible 2 in orderly fashion

Concise presentation Reward would be given

3 4 for exact and

effective
presentation
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Purpose of essay writing

Knowledge
Comprehension Skills
Contextual Clarity
Filtering the content
Multidimensional
Personality traits
Analytical skill
coherence/ flow/structured
Writing Skill

3 Language competence
Time management
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Topic selection

Do you have
Are you able to sufficient
Can you explore
comprehend examples,
the theme from
the main case studies or
atleast 6-7
theme of the perspectives to
dimensions
essay justify your
arguments
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

PYQs
2020: Section A:

1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane

2. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

2021: Section B:

1. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

2. There are better practices to “best practices”.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: A mind all logic is a knife all blade, it makes the hand bleed that uses it.

Impressive coherence and flow of the philosophical

essay with clear ideas

Ayushi Pradhan
AIR - 36, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Topics asked on women in upsc

1.Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two
equally harmful disciplines. (2023)

Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. (2022)

Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of

social inequality.(2020)

Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. (2017)

If development is not engendered, it is endangered (2016)

Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a

fair deal ? 2012
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Personality traits in a civil servant

 Compassion
 Courage (ability to take a stand/ decision making ability)
 Optimistic
 Problem solving approach
 Rationality
 Communication skills
 Awareness (relevance of the topic in contemporary times)
 Critical thinking (thesis/ counter-arguments)
 Ethical reasoning
 Wisdom (refrain from taking extreme stands)
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Analytical
nature
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Argument +
substantiation
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Connecting statements
 Having established the potential benefits, it's crucial to now
address the challenges."
 "With an understanding of the opportunities, we must now delve
into the concerns."
 "Now that we've considered the bright side, let's turn our
attention to the darker aspects."
 "Transitioning from the social aspects, let's pivot to the economic
implications."
 "From the promising opportunities, we'll now move to the pressing
issues."
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Tanujj Pathak
AIR 72, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Atul Tyagi AIR - 62, CSE

2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Surabhi Srivastava
AIR 56, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Sub-headings:

 "Setting the Stage: The Current Situation”

 Dismal state of affair
 Charting a Path Forward
 "All That Glitters is Not Gold”
 "Uncovering the Silver Lining"
 Finding Hope in Adversity"
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Sub-headings
 Biased media is a threat to Indian democracy

• “ unveiling Media Bias: understanding, Causes, and Unseen Fallout”

 If development is not engendered then it is endangered

 Understanding gender in development

 Barriers to gender-inclusive development
 Pathways to inclusive and sustainable development
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Use of Headings
TOPIC: Keep Your Face to the Sunshine And You Cannot See the
Shadow.

Aditya Srivastava
AIR 1, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is easier to build strong TOPIC: Keep your face to sunshine and you
children than to repair broken men. cannot see a shadow.

Simple headings precise explanation,

supported with examples.

Shivam Kumar Medha Anand

AIR 19, CSE 2023 AIR 13, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: A mind all logic is a life all blade, it makes the hand
bleed that uses it.

Ayushi Pradhan
AIR - 36, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Writing skill and language competence

● Do’s ● Don’t’s
 Write in small paragraphs  Don’t write in margin
 Don’t scribble
 Write small statements
 Don’t use abbreviations
 Highlight important facts, articles,  Try to not make spelling or grammatical
examples , scholars etc. errors
 Use formal tone  Don’t write in bullet points
 Try to avoid making diagrams or flowcharts
 Don’t unnecessary highlight the content
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Time management
 90 minutes to write one essay

• Topic selection = 5 min

• Brainstorming = 20 min
• Essay writing = 60 min
• Revision = 5 min
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Steps in essay writing

 Topic selection
 Brainstorming
 Writing a good essay
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Brain-Storming Exercise

 Method of generating ideas over

a topic in a creative way.
 Helps in exploration of possible
dimensions of the topic.

 One can invest 15-20 minutes

per topic to brainstorm the topic.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Life is a long journey from human being to being

humane
 What do you mean by human being
 How it is different from being humane?
 What are the different manifestations of being humane?
 What is the significance of being humane?
 What if we fail to develop these moral traits?
 Why it is considered as long journey to transform into
being humane?
 What are the challenges in this journey?
 Is it always a long journey?
 What needs to be done?
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship

is for

 What is the purpose of the ship?

 How it can serve the purpose?
 Why is ship safe in the harbour?
 What difficulty does ship face in leaving the harbour?
 What happens when it leave the harbour and sail into deep sea?
 How important is it to comeback to the harbour?
 Is it always wise to leave the harbour?
 Current relevance of the topic
 Prescription
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining

1. Why is it important to repair the roof when the sun is shining?

2. Why is timeliness of action important?

3. What happens if one does not do so?

4. What can be done to minimize the damage?

5. What are the virtues that should be developed for this trait of right
action at right time?

6. Current relevance of the topic

7. Conclusion
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

not all who wander are lost

 What is the literal meaning of wander and lost?

 What is the metaphorical interpretation?
 Example of wandering
 What wandering can lead to?
 How society perceives wanderers?
 Counter argument
 prescription
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: World is a Tragedy to those who feel and comedy fro

those who think.

Aditya Srivastava
AIR-1, CSE-2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken

men.

Surabhi Srivastava
AIR 56, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

How to write a good essay

Introduction Body Conclusion

Tell them what Tell them Based on what

your are going to you have told
tell them them
Provide an
optimistic,
futuristic vision
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Introduction
• Should be relevant to the theme of the essay

• Should be suggestive of the theme of your

essay

• Needs to be captivating and interesting

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Ways to make intro interesting

• Starting with a Quotation/poem/book

• Anecdote: current based event/story, mythology,

fictional, personality based etc.

• Premise based on which topic is being asked

• Reports/Current News/Statistics

• Paradox

• Conversation
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Ayesha, is a successful entrepreneur, but she grapples with societal and

familial expectations.

Despite her professional success, she faces immense pressure to balance her career
and family while upholding traditional values and norms.

The burden of these expectations weighs her down showcasing the restrictions
imposed on women in society.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Kabir, is the heir to a business empire. Despite having different

aspirations and dreams, he is pressured to take over the family
business.

The societal and family pressure to live up to expectations

create a heavy burden for Kabir, showcasing the demands
placed on boys in society.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

The juxtaposition of Ayesha and Kabir's characters in "Dil Dhadakne Do"

demonstrates the two sides of societal pressures faced by girls and boys.

Ayesha embodies the restrictions that limit a woman's freedom and

choices.

On the other hand, Kabir portrays the weight of demand and expectation
placed on boys to conform to societal and familial roles and aspirations.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Body
 Girls are weighed down by restrictions:
• Why are they weighed down?
• How are they weighed down? Or manifestations
• What are the implications of being weighed down?

 Boys by demands:
• Why are they weighed down by demands?
• How they are manifested?
• What are the implications?

 Prospects of challenging traditional roles.

 What needs to be done?
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

ALTERNATE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLIMATE

RESILIENT INDIA

“Climate change is discussed from Rio to Bonn,

Countries fighting among themselves and debate rage on;
Temperature rises as Sun shines strong,
And we lower our AC temperature, thinking what went wrong”
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Education is what remains after one has forgotten

what one has learned in school

 In school, we learn with all our might,

Facts and figures, day and night,
But as memories fade with time's cruel jest,
True education endures, it's the heart's bequest
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Just because you have a choice, it does not

mean that any of them has to be right
Doctors in the famous Savita case had two choices but how would
have they decided which one was the right choice?

Savita Halappanavar was a dentist of Indian origin, living in Ireland, who died after her request for
an abortion was denied on legal grounds.
Laws in Ireland did not permit abortion, so if the doctors would have done the operation they
could have saved the life of a patient and would have maintained medical ethics but they would have
committed legal offence.

The other choice was not to operate and let the patient die which was ethically wrong but legally
right, which they chose.
In this case both the choices available were wrong and none was right.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

In the story of Mahabharata, during her teenage years, Kunti impressed sage Durvasa and was blessed
with the knowledge of a divine mantra. Out of curiosity, she used the mantra to invoke Surya, and was
blessed with a son named Karna.

Helpless and bewildered, Kunti stood with the child in her hand wondering how to face the world. She
had become an unwed mother due to her disobedience.

Kunti had two choices, either to keep the son with her and condemn both of them to lifelong shame
and humiliation, or abandon her child and save them from the humiliation.

Kunti decided to abandon the child to save both of them from lifelong humiliation but none of the choices
available to her was right, they both were wrong in one way or another
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

a society that has more justice is a

society that needs less charity
1) Person A: Ever considered how justice and charity relate in a society?
Person B: Definitely. In a just society, the need for charity diminishes.

Person A: WHY?
Person B: Because equitable systems prevent extreme disparities.

Person A: So, justice acts as a kind of safety net?

Person B: Exactly. It minimizes societal cracks, reducing reliance on charity for
immediate fixes.

Person A: Does charity still have a role then?

Person B: Absolutely. It shifts towards empowerment and sustainable solutions rather
than just addressing immediate needs.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

This conversation encapsulates a profound notion: the more a society

prioritizes justice and addresses systemic inequalities, the less it relies on acts
of charity to mend the gaps.

Let's delve into this concept, exploring how justice and charity are
interwoven in the fabric of societal well-being.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: A Mind of All Logic is Like A Knife all Blade, It Make the Hand Bleed That Uses It

Aditya Srivastava, AIR 1 - CSE 2023

Historical & Personality Based Introduction

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is Easier to Build Stronger Children Than to Repair Broken Men.

Ruhani, AIR 5 - CSE

2023

Personality Based Introduction

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is Easier to Build Stronger Children Than to Repair Broken Men.

Ruhani, AIR 5 - CSE

2023

Personality Based Introduction

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: A Mind All Logic is Like A Knife All Blade, It Makes the Hand Bleed That Uses It.

Srishti Dabas, AIR 6 -

CSE 2023
Historical Introduction
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep Your Face to the Sunshine And You Cannot See A Shadow.

Srishti Dabas, AIR 6 -

CSE 2023

Poem Based Introduction

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep your face to sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

Swati Sharma AIR - 17,

CSE 2023

Anecdote Based Introduction

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep your face to sunshine and you cannot see a shadow

Shivam Kumar
AIR-19, CSE-2023
Current affairs based
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep your face to sunshine and you cannot see a shadow

Current affairs based

Medha Ananad
AIR-13, CSE-2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Intro to Body : Smooth Transition

TOPIC: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

Ruhani
AIR-5, CSE-2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Intro to Body : Smooth Transition

TOPIC: It is the mind of the man alone that is the TOPIC: Just when the caterpillar thought
cause of his bondage or freedom the world was over, it became a butterfly

Kunal Rastogi Prajnanandan Giri

AIR-15, CSE-2023 AIR-24, CSE-2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Different ways
of writing a
multi
dimensional
essay
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Body of Essay

1. Sectoral Dimensions i.e Social, Political, Historical, Economic, Cultural,

Environmental, Ethical , Sustainable, Science & Tech, Sports etc.

2. Temporal Dimensions i.e Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Post-

Independence, Post-LPG, Contemporary.

3. Prospects, Success, Issues, Challenges.

4. Implication based approach: Individual, Family, Society,
Community, Nation, Globe.
5. Institutional approach: Caste, Gender, Class, Religion, Region.
6. Stakeholder approach : women, minorities, PwD, transgenders,
children etc.
7. Personality based approach: Corporate, Political, administrative,
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Body of the essay

1. Sectoral Dimensions i.e Social, Political, Historical, Economic, Cultural,
Environmental, Ethical , Sustainable, Science & Tech, Sports etc.

2. Temporal Dimensions i.e Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Post-Independence, Post-LPG,

Contemporary.

3. Prospects, Success, Issues, Challenges.

4. Implication based approach: Individual, Family, Society, Community, Nation, Globe.

5.Institutional approach: Caste, Gender, Class, Religion, Region.

6. Stakeholder approach : women, minorities, PwD, transgenders, children etc.

7. Personality based approach: Corporate, Political, administrative, research etc.

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Wars are Poor Chisels of Carving Out Peaceful

Tomorrow.

Temporal Dimensional Analysis

Kunal Rastogi
AIR - 15, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is Mind of Man Alone that is the Cause of His Bondage

or Freedom

Kunal Rastogi
AIR - 15, CSE 2023 Multifaceted analysis
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Conlusion
• Don’t • Divide it in two
summarise parts

• Don’t be • Provide
apologetic in futuristic and
tone optimistic way
forward
• Don’t start fresh
argument

• Don’t write in 1-
2 statements
60
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Ultimate conclusion
 "Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition
for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting
sustainable development, and building good governance.”
— Kofi Annan

 The road not taken- By Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

 Media needs to be driven by

a) Reality not revenue
b) Community not commerce
c) People not profits
d) News orientation not narrow corporate greed

So that media strengths democracy rather than destroying it.

https://t.me/UPSCproxy

World will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by

those who watch them and do nothing
The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the
silence over that by the good people- Martin Luther King

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of
our friends - Martin Luther King

“The world suffers a lot. Not because the violence of bad people. But because of
the silence of the good people.” Napoleon

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."-
Edmund Burke
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: A Mind All Logic is Like a Knife All Blade, It

Makes the Hand Bleed that Uses It.
I
N
T
R
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
N

C
O
N
C
L
U
S
I
O
N

Cyclic Conclusion
Animesh Pradhan
AIR 2, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep your face to the sunshine and you can not
see a shadow.

Shivam Kumar
AIR 19, CSE 2023

Poem based
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: Keep your face to the sunshine and you

can not see a shadow.

Ayushi Pradhan
AIR 36, CSE 2023

Book based
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

TOPIC: It is easier to build strong children than to repair

broken men.

Surabhi Srivastava
Quotation based AIR 56, CSE 2023
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Common Observations
Knowledge Base Techniques
● Good understanding of ● Keeping Language Simple yet
the topic effective.
● Right assessment of the ● Engaging introduction to the topic
different dimensions enticing interest of the Examiner.
● Smooth transition from
● Good command over the
Introduction to main body.
content
● Good aarguments along with
relevant eexamples.
● Effective structuring with creative
yet simple heading in sync with the
topic.
● Effective conclusion.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Things to Avoid in CSE Essay

• Don’t stray away from the topic.
• Don’t attribute quotes to the wrong people.
• Fail to address the question’s topic in your introduction.
• Avoid writing in the first person in body of an essay.
• Don’t unnecessarily underline the content.
• Don’t write too long sentences.
• Don’t write a single para on a page.
• Don’t get too personal and name politicians or political parties unnecessarily.
• Do not go overboard on a single dimension or point.
• Do not select topics you were not comfortable writing when practicing.
• Avoid extremes.
• Don’t use informal language
• Don’t Insert quotes without introducing them or relating them back to the topic.
• Do not dedicate too long a time to one essay that you fall short on the other.
https://t.me/UPSCproxy

Thank You
The only difference between success and
failure is ability to take actions